młotek
/ˈmwɔ.tɛk/masculine
The Polish word for hammer is młotek. Wiktionary also lists młot.
Meaning: tool (noun)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| młotek | /ˈmwɔ.tɛk/ | masculine |
| młot | /ˈmwɔt/ | masculine |
The words in this category refer to a tool used for driving nails or striking objects.
Which one should you use?
młotek is the standard, everyday word for a small handheld hammer. In contrast, młot typically refers to a larger, heavier hammer or a sledgehammer.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the hammer as an instrument to perform an action (for example, saying 'with a hammer'), the form changes to the instrumental case młotkiem.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmwɔ.tɛk/. The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word młotek is used in Polish to refer to the small bone in the human middle ear that transmits sound vibrations.
- The word młot is a distant relative of the English word 'molten', as both trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root describing grinding or crushing.
- In Polish, the phrase bić młotem can be used metaphorically to describe someone who speaks or acts with excessive, clumsy force.
Examples in context
- Rozwalił betonowy blok młotkiem.He broke up the concrete block with a hammer.This sentence shows how to use the form młot to describe breaking something with an instrument.Tatoeba #7551439 by qmak, translation #292466 by CM
- Tom poszedł do sklepu z narzędziami, żeby kupić kolejny młotek i trochę gwoździ.Tom went to the hardware store to buy another hammer and some nails.This sentence demonstrates using the form młot to refer to purchasing a tool.Tatoeba #3240226 by jeedrek, translation #1092284 by CK
- Ona uderzyła mnie w głowę młotkiem.She hit me on the head with a hammer.This sentence illustrates the use of the form młot when describing an action performed with the tool.Tatoeba #1972169 by czas_i_styl, translation #312014 by CM
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Tomasz are fixing a picture frame together.
- AnnaTomaszu, czy masz tutaj jakiś młotek?Tomasz, do you have a hammer here?
- TomaszTak, mój młotek leży na stole.Yes, my hammer is lying on the table.
- AnnaDzięki, muszę tylko wbić ten mały gwóźdź.Thanks, I just need to drive in this small nail.
- TomaszUważaj, żebyś nie uderzyła się w palec.Be careful not to hit your finger.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hammer” translations and entries młotek, młot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries młot, młotek, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
