staw
/ˈstaf/masculine
The Polish word for "joint" (as in a part of the body) is staw.
staw refers to the part of the body where bones meet, but it can also be used to refer to mechanical joints.
Meaning: part of the body where bones join (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use staw when referring to an anatomical joint. If you want to express the sense of "joint" as something shared or collaborative, such as a joint venture, use the adjective wspólny instead.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of staw is stawy. When you need the genitive singular form, such as to say "of the joint", use stawu.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈstaf/
Did you know?
- The Polish word for 'pond' or 'pool' is staw, which is spelled exactly the same as the word for a body joint.
- The word staw shares an ancient root with the English word 'stay', both originating from a Proto-Indo-European concept of 'placing' or 'setting' something in a fixed position.
- The word staw is unrelated to the word for a 'joint' used in the context of a cigarette or cannabis, which would make the sentence nonsensical to a Pole.
Examples in context
- Czy masz jakiekolwiek bóle w stawach?Do you have any pain in your joints?
- Ten staw boli mnie od rana.This joint has been hurting me since morning.
Example conversation
Anna and Krzysztof are talking about a sports injury.
- AnnaKrzysztof, czy nadal boli cię ten staw?Krzysztof, does that joint still hurt you?
- KrzysztofTak, ten staw w kostce jest spuchnięty.Yes, this ankle joint is swollen.
- AnnaPowinieneś pójść do fizjoterapeuty.You should go to a physiotherapist.
- KrzysztofMasz rację, zapiszę się jutro.You are right, I will make an appointment tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “joint” translations and entries staw, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries staw, CC BY-SA 4.0.
