Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kochanie | /kɔˈxa.ɲɛ/ | neuter |
| droga | /ˈdrɔ.ɡa/ /ˈdrɔ.ɡa/ (Middle, Polish) |
feminine |
| kochany | /kɔˈxa.nɘ/ | masculine |
| kochana | /kɔˈxa.na/ | feminine |
The term is used as an affectionate term of address for someone who is very dear to you.
What does it mean word for word?
kochanie is a neuter noun derived from the verb kochać, which means to love.
Which one should you use?
The forms vary based on the gender of the person being addressed or the grammatical context. kochany is the masculine form, while kochana is the feminine form. droga is a feminine form, and kochanie is the neuter form.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
kochanie is a neuter noun and is the most common way to say darling as a direct term of address to a partner, regardless of their gender. The masculine form kochany is used when addressing or describing a male as darling or beloved, and the feminine form kochana is used when addressing or describing a female as darling or beloved.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /kɔˈxa.ɲɛ/.
Did you know?
- The word droga can also mean 'expensive' or 'road' in a completely different context. While it functions as 'dear' or 'darling' when used as an adjective, it is most commonly used to talk about the cost of an item or a street.
- The word droga comes from the Proto-Slavic word *dòrga, which originally referred to something that was costly or precious.
- In Polish, the word kochać (the root of kochanie) is reserved for deep, romantic or familial love, and is not used for liking things like food or hobbies.
Examples in context
- Czy jest coś nie tak, kochanie?Is something wrong, darling?This sentence shows how to use kochanie when asking a partner if something is wrong.Tatoeba #8524528 by MCcommand, translation #6100112 by OsoHombre
- Przepraszam, kochanie, czy możesz mi pomóc?Excuse me, darling, could you help me?
- Dziękuję, miła, za twoją pomocThank you, darling, for your help.
- Co u ciebie, kochaneczko?What's up, darling?
- Skarbie, czy dziś wieczorem możemy iść na kolację?Darling, can we go out for dinner tonight?
- Dobranoc, kochanie.Goodnight, darling.
- Wszystkiego najlepszego, kochanie.All the best, darling.
Example conversation
Piotr and Katarzyna are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- PiotrKochanie, masz ochotę na pizzę?Darling, do you feel like having pizza?
- KatarzynaNie, wolałabym zjeść coś zdrowego.No, I would prefer to eat something healthy.
- PiotrTo może zrobimy sałatkę?Then maybe we'll make a salad?
- KatarzynaTo świetny pomysł!That's a great idea!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “darling” translations and entries kochanie, droga, kochany, kochana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries droga, kochana, kochanie, kochany, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
