łódź
/ˈwut͡ɕ/feminine
The Polish word for boat is łódź. If unsure, use łódź. Wiktionary also lists łódka.
Meaning: water craft (noun)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| łódź | /ˈwut͡ɕ/ | feminine |
| łódka | /ˈwut.ka/ | feminine |
The term refers to a water craft. Note that łódź is also the name of a major city in central Poland. If you are specifically referring to a sailboat, use the word żaglówka.
Which one should you use?
While łódź is the standard term for a boat, łódka is a diminutive form used to refer to a small boat, such as a dinghy or a rowing boat.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the nominative case, 'my boat' is expressed as moja łódź and the locative case for 'on a boat' is na łodzi.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈwutɕ/
Did you know?
- Because łódź is also a city, a sentence like 'I am going to Łódź by łódź' is a perfectly valid, if repetitive, Polish sentence.
- The phrase płynąć łodzią uses a specific verb for 'floating' or 'sailing' that is distinct from the verb used for walking or driving.
- The root of łódź is preserved almost identically in other Slavic languages, such as the Russian word лодка.
Examples in context
- Wypożyczyliśmy łódź na godziny.We hired a boat by the hour.This sentence shows how to use łódź when talking about hiring a boat.Tatoeba #6533048 by arie, translation #248794 by sundown
- Łódź zakotwiczyła blisko brzegu.The boat anchored near the shore.This sentence demonstrates the use of łódź in the context of anchoring.Tatoeba #12259451 by polski_ren, translation #49927 by CK
- Zauważyła w oddali łódź wiosłową.She caught sight of a rowing boat in the distance.This sentence illustrates how to use łódź to describe a rowing boat.Tatoeba #6534380 by arie, translation #312719 by sundown
- Włamanie na moją żaglówkę to była prawdziwa tragedia.Breaking into my sailboat was a real tragedy.
- Kupiłem sobie nową łódź na wakacje w tym roku!I bought a new boat for my vacation this year!
- Nic nie uspokaja mnie bardziej niż spędzanie czasu na łodzi.Nothing relaxes me more than spending time on a boat.
- Wędkowanie z łodzi to moje ulubione hobby.Fishing from a boat is my favorite hobby.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is standing on a pier looking at the river.
- PawełWidzisz tę dużą łódź na środku rzeki?Do you see that big boat in the middle of the river?
- AgnieszkaTak, wygląda na bardzo starą.Yes, it looks very old.
- PawełMoże powinniśmy wypożyczyć jakąś łódź na wieczór?Maybe we should rent a boat for the evening?
- AgnieszkaTo świetny pomysł, Pawle.That is a great idea, Paweł.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boat” translations and entries łódź, łódka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
