smok
/ˈsmɔk/masculine
The Polish word for dragon is smok.
The term refers to a mythical creature. Note that while smok means dragon, it is not used for the English word 'smoke', which is dym in Polish.
Meaning: mythical creature (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun smok changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. Use smoka when the dragon is the direct object, such as in 'I see a dragon'. Use smokowi in the dative case, for example, 'I gave food to the dragon'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsmɔk/
Did you know?
- The city of Kraków is home to the Smok Wawelski, a legendary dragon who lived in a cave under the royal castle. A bronze statue of him stands by the river and breathes real fire every few minutes.
- While smok refers to the mythical creature, the word for a 'dragon-fly' in Polish is ważka, which shares no linguistic root with smok.
- The root of smok is linked to the idea of something that 'chokes' or 'strangles', reflecting the terrifying nature of the creature in ancient Slavic myths.
Examples in context
- Smok to stworzenie fikcyjne.The dragon is an imaginary creature.This sentence shows that smok is an imaginary creature.Tatoeba #629837 by zipangu, translation #325503 by CK
- Zabił smoka i uratował księżniczkę.He slayed the dragon and saved the princess.This sentence uses a form of smok as the direct object of the verb.Tatoeba #5921123 by Annika, translation #2720450 by Hybrid
- Chcę sobie wytatuować smoka na plecach.I want to get a tattoo of a dragon on my back.Tatoeba #10669257 by igxr, translation #6236183 by CK
- Widziałem dużego smoka w lesie.I saw a big dragon in the forest.
- Kiedyś smok żył w tej jaskini.Once a dragon lived in this cave.
- Baśń o smoku znana jest na całym świecie.The tale of the dragon is known worldwide.
- Podobno smoki strzegą ukrytego skarbu.Supposedly dragons guard hidden treasures.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Agnieszka and Piotr are looking at a children's book about legends.
- AgnieszkaCzy ten smok jest groźny?Is this dragon dangerous?
- PiotrNie, to tylko bajkowy smok.No, it is just a fairy tale dragon.
- AgnieszkaMa bardzo zielone łuski.He has very green scales.
- PiotrWygląda bardzo sympatycznie.He looks very friendly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dragon” translations and entries smok, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
