Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| oba | /ˈɔ.ba/ /ˈɔ.ba/ (Middle, Polish) |
|
| oboje | /ɔˈbɔ.jɛ/ /ɔˈbɔ.jɛ/ (Middle, Polish) |
|
| obydwaj | ||
| obydwoje | /ɔ.bɘˈdvɔ.jɛ/ /ɔ.bɨˈdvɔ.jɛ/ (Middle, Polish) |
rare |
The term refers to each of two. One and the other (det).
Which one should you use?
The choice of form depends on the subjects: oba is used for inanimate objects of masculine non-personal or neuter gender. obaj is used for a group of two males or a mixed-gender group of people. obie is used for two females or two inanimate objects of the feminine gender. oboje is a collective form used to refer to a pair of people, often a man and a woman or children. Finally, obydwaj and obydwoje are alternative forms, with obydwoje being noted as rare.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Use obaj for masculine personal subjects (two men or a mixed-gender group of two people). Use obie for feminine/non-masculine personal subjects (two women or two inanimate objects of the feminine gender). Use oba for two inanimate objects of the masculine non-personal or neuter gender.
How do you pronounce it?
The word oba is pronounced as /ˈɔ.ba/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on 1 of 2.
Did you know?
- The Polish word for 'both' shares a common ancient ancestor with the English word 'two', stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root '*dwi-'.
- Polish distinguishes between 'both' for people and 'both' for things, meaning you would use a different word for two men than you would for two tables, even though both are masculine nouns.
- The word oba is incredibly stable, having descended almost directly from the Proto-Slavic *oba without significant modification for over a millennium.
Examples in context
- Obaj są w pokoju.Both of them are in the room.This sentence uses the form oba to show that two people are in a room.Tatoeba #2570930 by zipangu, translation #404265 by CK
- Oni obaj są w pokoju.They are both in the room.This sentence uses the form oba to specify that they are both in the room.Tatoeba #604509 by buari, translation #370726 by saeb
- Tom zasłonił oba okna.Tom rolled down both windows.This sentence uses the form oba to show that two windows were rolled down.Tatoeba #4716878 by jeedrek, translation #3482722 by CK
- Oboje moi rodzice są nauczycielami.Both of my parents are teachers.
- Obaj moi bracia lubią grać w piłkę nożną.Both my brothers enjoy playing soccer.
- Obydwaj moi przyjaciele zostali zaproszeni na imprezę.Both my friends have been invited to the party.
- 123 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Paweł and Katarzyna are looking at two gift boxes.
- PawełCzy oba pudełka są ładne?Are both boxes pretty?
- KatarzynaTak, oba są bardzo kolorowe.Yes, both are very colorful.
- PawełKatarzyno, weźmy oba.Katarzyna, let's take both.
- KatarzynaDobry pomysł, Pawle.Good idea, Paweł.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “both” translations and entries oba, oboje, obydwoje, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oba, oboje, obydwoje, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
