Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA |
|---|---|
| durny | /ˈdur.nɘ/ |
| tępy | /ˈtɛm.pɘ/ |
| bezmyślny | /bɛzˈmɘɕl.nɘ/ |
| idiotyczny | /i.djɔˈtɘt͡ʂ.nɘ/ |
| debilny | /dɛˈbil.nɘ/ |
The term refers to being stupid or foolish. For a colloquial way to say someone is extremely foolish, you can use the phrase Głupi jak but, which literally translates to "dumb as a shoe".
Which one should you use?
While several words mean stupid, they carry different nuances. Bezmyślny is used to describe an action or a person that lacks thought or reasoning, rather than a permanent lack of intelligence. Debilny is used to describe something as moronic or idiotic.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Debilny is a highly informal and often offensive way to describe something as stupid or nonsensical.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective durny must change its ending to match the gender or number of the subject: use durna when describing a female subject and durne when describing a neuter noun or a plural subject.
How do you pronounce it?
durny is pronounced /ˈdur.nɘ/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The adjective tępy does not only mean 'stupid' or 'dull' when applied to a person, but it is also the standard word used to describe a knife that is 'blunt' and cannot cut.
- To call someone 'dumb' in a playful or childish way, Poles often use the word głupek, which is a diminutive form of głupi.
- While the English 'dumb' can mean unable to speak, the Polish words for 'stupid' like durny or tępy do not carry this secondary meaning of being mute at all.
Examples in context
- Nie możesz tak głupio się zachowywać.You cannot behave so dumbly.
- Ten pomysł jest głupi jak but.This idea is dumb as a shoe.
- To był durny pomysł.That was a dumb idea.
- Nie rób takich durnych rzeczy.Don't do such dumb things.
- Dlaczego on jest taki durny?Why is he so dumb?
Example conversation
Tomasz and Anna are discussing a silly mistake made by a friend.
- TomaszTo był naprawdę durny błąd.That was a really dumb mistake.
- AnnaTak, on zachował się bardzo durnie.Yes, he acted very dumbly.
- TomaszNaprawdę nie rozumiem jego zachowania.I really don't understand his behavior.
- AnnaNiestety, czasem tak bywa.Unfortunately, sometimes that's how it is.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dumb” translations and entries durny, tępy, bezmyślny, idiotyczny, debilny, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
