słoń
/ˈswɔɲ/animate, masculine
The Polish word for elephant is słoń. Wiktionary also lists słonica.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| słoń | /ˈswɔɲ/ | animate, masculine |
| słonica | /swɔˈɲi.t͡sa/ | feminine |
The term refers to the large mammal. You can specify different species using słoń afrykański for an African elephant or słoń indyjski for an Indian elephant.
Which one should you use?
słoń is the general term used for the species or a male elephant, whereas słonica specifically refers to a female elephant.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word słoń changes to słonia in the genitive case. This form is used to indicate possession or after most numbers, with the exception of 2, 3 and 4.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈswɔɲ/
When do people say it?
The name Słoń also refers to the 105th sura of the Qur'an.
Did you know?
- While słoń is the animal, the word słonina refers specifically to pork fat or lard.
- The word słoń is inherited from the Proto-Slavic root *slonъ.
- If you were to count elephants in Polish, the form of the word 'elephant' would change depending on whether you are counting 2, 3, or 5 of them.
Examples in context
- Mrówka może ugryźć słonia w tyłek, ale słoń jej nie.An ant can bite an elephant's butt, but an elephant can't bite an ant's.This sentence shows the word słoń in a comparison regarding an ant.Tatoeba #12470580 by katix824, translation #2562772 by sabretou
- Słonica jest bardzo troskliwą matką dla swoich dzieci.The elephant is a very caring mother for its children.This sentence uses słonica to describe a mother elephant's care.Tatoeba #5608489 by kami987, translation #6029624 by Huskion
- Słoń pije wodę.The elephant drinks water.This sentence uses słoń to describe the animal drinking water.Tatoeba #10495048 by Shounen, translation #10265185 by LimeGreenTeknii
- W zoo można zobaczyć dużego, afrykańskiego słonia.In the zoo, you can see a large African elephant.
- Chciałbym mieć słonia jako zwierzę domowe.I would like to have an elephant as a pet.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Piotr are visiting the zoo together.
- AnnaPopatrz, tam jest ogromny słoń!Look, there is a huge elephant!
- PiotrOn jest naprawdę imponujący.He is truly impressive.
- AnnaCzy słoń je teraz trawę?Is the elephant eating grass now?
- PiotrTak, wygląda na to, że jest głodny.Yes, it looks like he is hungry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elephant” translations and entries słoń, słonica, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries słonica, słoń, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
