nóż
/ˈnuʂ/masculine
The Polish word for knife is nóż.
nóż refers to a utensil or tool designed for cutting.
Meaning: utensil or tool designed for cutting (noun)
Which one should you use?
While nóż is the standard term, the diminutive nożyk is used specifically to refer to a small knife or a pocket knife.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on its role in a sentence. The plural form is noże. In the genitive case, used for possession or after certain prepositions, it becomes noża. To express using a knife as an instrument, such as saying you are cutting something 'with a knife', use the instrumental form nożem.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnuʂ/
Did you know?
- In Polish culture, giving a nóż as a gift is often considered a bad omen that can 'cut' the friendship or relationship between the giver and receiver.
- The phrase wyłożyć wszystkie noże na stół literally means 'to lay all knives on the table' and is used idiomatically to mean revealing all one's secrets or intentions.
- The word nóż shares a common Proto-Indo-European root with the English word 'nail' as in a fingernail, both originating from a root meaning 'to cut' or 'to clip'.
Examples in context
- To jest nóż Toma.This is Tom's knife.This sentence shows how to indicate possession of the nóż.Tatoeba #3119349 by jeedrek, translation #2647579 by CK
- Ten nóż jest tępy.This knife is blunt.Tatoeba #8511823 by nusia2302, translation #11879146 by sundown
- Mój nóż jest ostry.My knife is sharp.Tatoeba #2585163 by aleksandraeska, translation #2549030 by CK
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Małgorzata and Piotr are in the kitchen preparing dinner.
- MałgorzataGdzie jest nóż?Where is the knife?
- PiotrNóż leży na stole.The knife is lying on the table.
- MałgorzataDziękuję, Piotrze.Thank you, Piotr.
- PiotrNie ma za co.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “knife” translations and entries nóż, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
