niebo
/ˈɲɛ.bɔ/neuter
The English word heaven can be translated into Polish as niebo or raj.
Meaning: paradise and upper-world (noun)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| niebo | /ˈɲɛ.bɔ/ /ˈɲɛ.bɔ/ (Middle, Polish) |
neuter |
| raj | /ˈraj/ | masculine |
Polish uses different words depending on whether you are referring to the physical sky or a spiritual state. The word niebo is used for both the physical sky and the spiritual concept of heaven. In contrast, raj refers specifically to the concept of paradise or a blissful state, rather than the physical sky.
Which one should you use?
niebo refers to both the physical sky and the spiritual heaven, whereas raj specifically means paradise or a blissful state.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈɲɛ.bɔ/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word niebo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'nebula', referring to the clouds or mist in the sky.
- Polish speakers use raj to describe not only a spiritual paradise but also a physical place of extreme beauty or comfort, such as a luxury spa or a tropical island.
- In some Polish folk expressions, niebo is personified or treated as a boundary that separates the mundane world from the divine, acting as a physical ceiling to the earth.
Examples in context
- Niebo i piekło istnieją w sercu człowieka.Heaven and hell exist in the hearts of man.This sentence illustrates the concept of heaven and hell in a human context using niebo.Tatoeba #2979820 by jeedrek, translation #537806 by blay_paul
- Niebo i piekło istnieją tylko w ludzkim sercu.Heaven and hell exist only in the human heart.This sentence emphasizes that heaven and hell exist only in the human heart using niebo.Tatoeba #3006315 by jeedrek, translation #460074 by saasmath
- Czy raj istnieje?Is there a heaven?This sentence is a question about the existence of paradise using raj.Tatoeba #10452283 by Shounen, translation #5757895 by CM
- To miejsce na wakacje to jak raj!This vacation spot is like heaven!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Krzysztof and Agnieszka are discussing their beliefs about the afterlife.
- KrzysztofWierzysz, że po śmierci trafimy do nieba?Do you believe that after death we will go to heaven?
- AgnieszkaTak, myślę, że niebo jest pełne spokoju.Yes, I think heaven is full of peace.
- KrzysztofTo brzmi jak bardzo miłe miejsce.That sounds like a very nice place.
- AgnieszkaObyśmy wszyscy tam kiedyś dotarli.I hope we all get there someday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heaven” translations and entries niebo, raj, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries niebo, raj, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
