Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Zdrowaś Maryjo | /ˈzdrɔ.vaɕ maˈrɘ.jɔ/ | feminine |
| zdrowaśka | /zdrɔˈvaɕ.ka/ | feminine, informal |
Which one should you use?
Zdrowaś Maryjo is the standard form used for the prayer, while zdrowaśka is a diminutive and colloquial way to refer to it.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Zdrowaś Maryjo is the formal version. zdrowaśka is an informal and colloquial form, often used in casual or slightly irreverent contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase Zdrowaś Maryjo uses the vocative case, which is the grammatical case used when addressing someone directly.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈzdrɔ.vaɕ maˈrɘ.jɔ/. The stress is on the first of the four syllables.
When do people say it?
The formal version of the prayer in Polish is: Zdrowaś Maryjo, łaski pełna, Pan z Tobą, | błogosławiona jesteś między niewiastami i | błogosławiony jest owoc Twojego łona, Jezus. | Święta Maryjo, Matko Boża, módl się za nami | grzesznymi teraz i w godzinę | śmierci naszej. Amen.
Did you know?
- The word zdrowaś is not a greeting like 'hello', but is actually a command meaning 'be healthy' or 'be well'.
- The phrase is a 'calque', meaning Polish translators didn't create a new expression, but mirrored the structure of the Latin 'Ave Maria' into Polish words.
- The word zdrowaśka uses a diminutive suffix, which in Polish can transform a sacred prayer into a term used for light-hearted or slightly irreverent conversation.
Examples in context
- Modlitwa Zdrowaś Maryjo jest bardzo piękna.The Hail Mary prayer is very beautiful.
- Czy znasz modlitwę Zdrowaś Maryjo?Do you know the Hail Mary prayer?
- Dzieci uczyły się dziś Zdrowaś Maryjo.The children learned the Hail Mary today.
Example conversation
Agnieszka and Krzysztof are talking about religious education.
- AgnieszkaKrzysztofie, czy nauczyliście się dziś modlitwy Zdrowaś Maryjo?Krzysztof, did you guys learn the Hail Mary prayer today?
- KrzysztofTak, Agnieszko, to była bardzo ważna lekcja.Yes, Agnieszka, it was a very important lesson.
- AgnieszkaTo wspaniale, że to pamiętasz.It is wonderful that you remember it.
- KrzysztofChcę ją dobrze recytować.I want to recite it well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hail mary” translations and entries Zdrowaś Maryjo, zdrowaśka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Zdrowaś Maryjo, zdrowaś, zdrowaśka, CC BY-SA 4.0.
