oszust
/ˈɔ.ʂust/
The Polish word for cheater is oszust.
Oszust is the most common term for a cheater, but it most frequently carries the connotation of a con artist or a fraudster. It can refer to someone who cheats in games or someone committing fraud.
Meaning: someone who cheats (noun)
Which one should you use?
While oszust can be used for someone who cheats in games, it is most often used to describe a con artist or a fraudster.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is gendered. Use the feminine form oszustka when referring to a woman. If you are referring to a group of men or a mixed group, the plural is oszustowie, though the genitive plural form oszustów is used after certain prepositions or in specific grammatical constructions. The related verb meaning to cheat is oszukiwać.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɔ.ʂust/. The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While oszust covers fraud, Polish uses a completely different word, zdrajca, for a 'cheater' in the sense of someone who is unfaithful in a romantic relationship.
- In a classroom setting, a student who cheats on a test is often called a ściągacz, which literally means 'someone who uses cheat sheets'.
- Calling someone an oszust in a card game might sound much more serious to a Pole than to an English speaker, as it implies criminal intent rather than just poor sportsmanship.
Examples in context
- Jej były mąż okazał się oszustem i ukradł jej wiele pieniędzy.Her ex-husband turned out to be a cheater and stole a lot of her money.
- Uważaj na niego, to obłudnik, który będzie cię oszukiwał.Be careful with him, he's a hypocrite who will cheat you.
- To był zwykły oszust.He was a common cheat.
- Ten oszust ukradł moje pieniądze.That cheater stole my money.
- Nie ufam mu, to zwykły oszust.I don't trust him, he is just a cheater.
- Wszyscy wiedzą, że on to oszust.Everyone knows that he is a cheater.
Example conversation
Krzysztof and Katarzyna are discussing a dishonest person from their past.
- KrzysztofCzy on naprawdę jest takim oszustem?Is he really such a cheater?
- KatarzynaTak, on zawsze kłamie, Krzysztofie.Yes, he always lies, Krzysztof.
- KrzysztofTo bardzo niebezpieczny oszust.He is a very dangerous cheater.
- KatarzynaMasz rację, musimy uważać.You are right, we must be careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry oszust, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
