ręka
/ˈrɛŋ.ka/feminine
The English word hand is translated into Polish as ręka. Wiktionary also lists dłoń.
Meaning: part of the fore limb (noun)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ręka | /ˈrɛŋ.ka/ /ˈrɛ̃.ka/ (Middle, Polish) |
feminine |
| dłoń | /ˈdwɔɲ/ /ˈdɫɔɲ/ (Middle, Polish) |
feminine |
The most common and neutral word for hand is ręka. You can also use the diminutive rączka to mean little hand. Other related anatomical terms include kciuk (thumb), nadgarstek (wrist) and dłonie (hands). If you are referring to a handful-sized portion of something, the term used is garść.
Which one should you use?
ręka is a general term used for the entire limb from the shoulder to the fingers, whereas dłoń refers specifically to the palm or the hand as an anatomical unit, excluding the forearm.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine noun ręka has the genitive singular form ręki. The feminine noun dłoń is irregular, and its genitive singular form is dłoni.
How do you pronounce it?
ręka is pronounced /ˈrɛŋ.ka/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
Did you know?
- When someone is very clumsy, Poles might say they have dwie lewe ręce, which translates to having 'two left hands'.
- In Polish, the expression złota rączka literally means 'golden little hand' and is used to describe a person who is very handy at fixing things around the house.
- While ręka covers the whole arm, the word dłoń is often used in poetry and romantic literature to evoke a more elegant or delicate image of a person's hand.
Examples in context
- Szli ręka w rękę.They went hand in hand.This sentence shows the phrase hand in hand using ręka.Tatoeba #8192667 by qmak, translation #306820 by CM
- Tom chwycił dłoń Mary.Tom reached for Mary's hand.This sentence shows how to say reaching for a hand using dłoń.Tatoeba #3986374 by jeedrek, translation #2957831 by CK
- Możesz mnie pocałować w dłoń.You may kiss my hand.This sentence shows the phrase kiss my hand using dłoń.Tatoeba #4789212 by Chemiczny_Bogdan, translation #4781116 by Hybrid
- Daję ci rękęI give you my hand
- Przepraszam za potrącenieSorry for bumping into you
- Podawać sobie ręceTo shake hands
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Małgorzata and Tomasz are at home after gardening.
- MałgorzataTomasz, czy twoja ręka jest cała?Tomasz, is your hand okay?
- TomaszTak, ale moja prawa ręka jest brudna.Yes, but my right hand is dirty.
- MałgorzataTo umyj tę rękę w kuchni.Then wash that hand in the kitchen.
- TomaszDobrze, zaraz to zrobię.Okay, I will do it right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hand” translations and entries ręka, dłoń, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
