śmieci
/ˈɕmjɛ.t͡ɕi/
The Polish word for garbage is śmieci.
śmieci is used to refer to waste material. If you wish to express the specific action of taking the garbage out of the house, the standard phrase is wynieść śmieci.
Meaning: waste material (noun)
Which one should you use?
While śmieci refers to the waste material itself, the word śmietnik is used to refer to the garbage bin or container that holds it.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈɕmjɛ.tɕi/.
Did you know?
- In Polish, if you call someone śmieć, you are not just calling them 'garbage', but a 'worthless person' or 'scum'.
- In Poland, there is a strict system of color-coded bins for śmieci, and putting a plastic bottle in the paper bin can lead to a formal warning or a fine from the municipal authorities.
- The Polish word for a small trash can, kosz, is the same word used for a laundry basket or a basketball hoop.
Examples in context
- Nie wyrzucaj śmieci tutaj.Don't throw garbage away here.This sentence is useful for telling someone not to throw śmieci in a specific location.Tatoeba #2139018 by liori, translation #1290715 by CK
- Tom zapomniał wynieść śmieci.Tom forgot to take out the garbage.This sentence shows how to use the verb with śmieci to say someone forgot to take out the garbage.Tatoeba #10202803 by Marlena, translation #10202526 by Hybrid
- Czy pamiętałeś o wyniesieniu śmieci?Did you remember to take out the garbage?This sentence is a way to ask if someone remembered to take out the śmieci.Tatoeba #10202800 by Marlena, translation #10202528 by Hybrid
- Proszę wyrzucić śmieci do kosza.Please throw the garbage into the bin.
- Firma zajmuje się profesjonalnym przetwarzaniem odpadków.The company specializes in professional waste processing.
- Proszę wyrzucić plastikowe opakowania do żółtego kontenera.Please throw plastic packaging into the yellow container.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Piotr and Agnieszka are cleaning their kitchen.
- PiotrGdzie jest worek na śmieci?Where is the garbage bag?
- AgnieszkaLeży w szafce pod zlewem.It is in the cabinet under the sink.
- PiotrDzięki, teraz wyniosę te śmieci.Thanks, now I will take out this garbage.
- AgnieszkaDobrze, zrób to szybko.Okay, do it quickly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry śmieci, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
