Which one should you use?
Imbir is the noun for the spice, whereas imbirowy is the adjective used to describe things flavored with it, such as an imbirowy napój (a ginger drink). When referring to a person with ginger hair, do not use the spice noun. Instead, use rudy for a male or ruda for a female.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on how you use it in a sentence. To express accompaniment or the use of the spice, such as in the phrase herbata z imbirem (tea with ginger), use the instrumental form imbirem. If you are using the preposition z to indicate an ingredient or what something is made of, such as in napój z imbiru (a drink with ginger), use the genitive form imbiru.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈim.bir/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
When do people say it?
When ordering a tea with ginger, you can use the phrase herbata z imbirem.
Did you know?
- The root of imbir can be traced back thousands of years to the Old Tamil word iñcivēr.
- The word rudy used for ginger hair is the same word used to describe a red fox.
- In Poland, imbir is frequently paired with honey and lemon in a traditional winter remedy to fight colds.
Examples in context
- To jest napój z imbiru.This is a ginger drink.This sentence shows how to use the genitive form imbiru to describe a drink made with the spice.Tatoeba #12285700 by polski_ren, translation #2630357 by meerkat
- Nie cierpię smaku imbiru.I hate the taste of ginger.This sentence demonstrates using the genitive form of imbir to talk about a taste.Tatoeba #12285699 by polski_ren, translation #10164898 by ddnktr
- Imbir jest bardzo przydatny w trakcie zimy.Ginger is very useful in the winter period.This sentence uses the noun imbir to make a general statement about the spice's utility.Tatoeba #12285703 by polski_ren, translation #2931704 by astyng
- Przygotuję dla ciebie herbatę z imbirem.I will prepare tea with ginger for you.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Małgorzata and Piotr are cooking together in the kitchen.
- MałgorzataCzy mamy świeży imbir w lodówce?Do we have fresh ginger in the fridge?
- PiotrTak, leży obok cytryny.Yes, it's lying next to the lemon.
- MałgorzataDodam trochę imbiru do tej herbaty.I will add some ginger to this tea.
- PiotrTo świetny pomysł, Małgorzato.That is a great idea, Małgorzata.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ginger” translations and entries imbir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries imbir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
