Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ciasto | /ˈt͡ɕas.tɔ/ | neuter |
| ciastko | /ˈt͡ɕast.kɔ/ | neuter |
| tort | /ˈtɔrt/ | masculine |
The term ciasto is a general word for a type of sweet dessert, but it is also used in a culinary context to mean 'dough' or 'pastry' when referring to an unbaked mixture. Other specific terms include sernik for cheesecake and mazurek, which is a traditional Polish cake often enjoyed during holidays, especially Easter.
Which one should you use?
While ciasto is a general term for any baked sweet, tort is used specifically for large, multi-layered or highly decorated celebration cakes used for birthdays or weddings. The diminutive form ciastko refers to small individual treats like cookies, pastries or small cupcakes rather than a whole cake.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ciasto is a neuter noun. The diminutive ciastko is also neuter, and its plural form is ciastka. The word tort is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈtɕas.tɔ/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
During holidays, especially Easter, people often enjoy a traditional Polish cake called mazurek.
Did you know?
- The term mazurek refers to a specific type of traditional holiday cake, but it shares its name with a traditional Polish dance.
- The word tort for a celebration cake is actually a loanword from the German word 'Torte'.
- The diminutive suffix -ko in ciastko is used not just for size, but to make the object sound more appealing or endearing.
Examples in context
- Czy to jest ciasto?Is that cake?This sentence is useful for asking if something is cake using ciasto.Tatoeba #5961808 by stagos, translation #5961663 by mailohilohi
- To ciasto jest słodkie.This cake is sweet.This sentence is useful for describing cake as sweet using ciasto.Tatoeba #362954 by zipangu, translation #61167 by CM
- To ciasto jest tuczące.That cake is fattening.This sentence is useful for describing cake as fattening using ciasto.Tatoeba #11747359 by mojeanin, translation #2601251 by AlanF_US
- Proszę przynieść nam dwie porcje ciasta.Please bring us two portions of cake.
- Wczoraj upiekłam wspaniały mazurek na urodziny.Yesterday, I baked a delicious mazurek for the birthday.
- Czy możesz przynieść babkę na niedzielne spotkanie rodzinne?Can you bring a babka for the Sunday family gathering?
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Paweł and Agnieszka are in the kitchen.
- PawełCo upieczesz na jutro?What will you bake for tomorrow?
- AgnieszkaUpiekę pyszne ciasto z jabłkami.I will bake a delicious apple cake.
- PawełSuper, bardzo lubię takie ciasto.Great, I really like that kind of cake.
- AgnieszkaTo będzie niespodzianka dla gości.It will be a surprise for the guests.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cake” translations and entries ciasto, ciastko, tort, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciastko, ciasto, tort, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
