prasować
/praˈsɔ.vat͡ɕ/imperfective
The English verb 'to iron' is translated into Polish as prasować. Wiktionary also lists wyprasować and uprasować.
Meaning: to pass an iron over clothing (verb)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| prasować | /praˈsɔ.vat͡ɕ/ | imperfective |
| wyprasować | /vɘ.praˈsɔ.vat͡ɕ/ | perfective |
| uprasować | perfective |
This verb refers to the act of passing an iron over clothing to remove wrinkles. Related to this meaning are the noun żelazo (the chemical element iron) and the adjective żelazny (made of iron).
Which one should you use?
Use the imperfective form prasować to describe the ongoing process of ironing or a habitual action. Use the perfective form wyprasować to emphasize the completion of the task, such as finishing a specific garment.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the act of ironing as a noun, use the verbal noun prasowanie.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /praˈsɔ.vatɕ/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid the mistake of saying prasować żelazko, which sounds like 'to iron the iron' (the tool itself).
Did you know?
- In Polish, you can use prasować to describe the act of flattening something that isn't clothing, such as pressing flowers in a book.
- While the chemical element is żelazo, the tool you use for your clothes is called żelazko, a diminutive form that literally means 'little iron'.
- The noun prasa refers to the machine itself, which is why the verb prasować comes from the word for a pressing machine rather than the metal.
Examples in context
- Masz pomiętą koszulkę, powinieneś ją uprasować.Your T-shirt is wrinkled, you should iron it.This sentence is useful for suggesting that someone should use uprasować on a wrinkled T-shirt.Tatoeba #12060518 by jimbojim, translation #11887482 by Amastan
- Muszę wyprasować koszulę.I have to iron my shirt.This sentence is useful for expressing the need to wyprasować a shirt.
- Proszę przynieść żelazo do warsztatu.Please bring the iron to the workshop.
- Przynieś żelazko.Bring the iron.
- Muszę prasować te spodnie przed wyjściem.I have to iron these pants before leaving.
Example conversation
Małgorzata and Piotr are doing chores together.
- MałgorzataPiotr, czy możesz pomóc mi prasować?Piotr, can you help me iron?
- PiotrJasne, co mam teraz zrobić?Sure, what should I do now?
- MałgorzataPrasuj proszę te białe koszule.Please iron these white shirts.
- PiotrDobrze, zajmę się tym od razu.Okay, I will take care of it right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “iron” translations and entries prasować, wyprasować, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries prasować, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
