węgiel
/ˈvɛŋ.ɡjɛl/masculine
The Polish word for coal is węgiel.
The word węgiel is an uncountable noun used to refer to the carbon rock. It can be used generally for both mineral coal and charcoal.
Meaning: uncountable: carbon rock (noun)
Which one should you use?
While węgiel covers both coal and charcoal, you can be more specific. If you want to refer specifically to charcoal (wood coal), use the phrase węgiel drzewny.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form węgla is the genitive case of węgiel. You should use węgla after a negation or to indicate possession, such as in the phrase brak węgla (lack of coal).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈvɛŋ.ɡjɛl/. The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While węgiel is the standard word for coal, Polish uses the term czarne złoto (black gold) as a common cultural euphemism for coal due to its historical economic importance to Poland.
- In a scientific or chemistry context, the word węgiel is used to refer to the element 'carbon' itself, not just the rock.
- The word węgiel is the linguistic root of the chemical term węglowodory, which translates to 'hydrocarbons'.
Examples in context
- Kruk jest czarny jak węgiel.The raven is as black as coal.This sentence uses węgiel to illustrate a comparison of color.Tatoeba #403100 by zipangu, translation #1332897 by txoriburu
- Węgiel jest paliwem kopalnym.Coal is a fossil fuel.This sentence uses węgiel to define it as a fossil fuel.Tatoeba #12189055 by polski_ren, translation #7897742 by CK
- Węgiel nie zawsze jest czarny.Coal is not always black.This sentence uses węgiel to state that the substance is not always black.Tatoeba #10609344 by tokzyk, translation #272238 by CK
- Proszę dostarczyć węgiel do mojego domu.Please deliver coal to my house.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Katarzyna and Krzysztof are discussing heating their house for winter.
- KatarzynaCzy mamy jeszcze węgiel na zimę?Do we still have coal for the winter?
- KrzysztofMyślę, że zapas węgla się skończył.I think the coal supply has run out.
- KatarzynaMusimy zamówić nowy węgiel jak najszybciej.We need to order new coal as soon as possible.
- KrzysztofZadzwonię do dostawcy teraz, Katarzyno.I will call the supplier now, Katarzyna.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coal” translations and entries węgiel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
