Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kłamać | /ˈkwa.mat͡ɕ/ | imperfective |
| łgać | /ˈwɡat͡ɕ/ | imperfective |
| okłamywać | /ɔ.kwaˈmɘ.vat͡ɕ/ | imperfective |
The primary meaning of these verbs is to tell an intentional untruth. If you wish to refer to the act of an intentionally false statement as a noun, you use kłamstwo. To describe a person who lies, the neutral noun is kłamca.
Which one should you use?
While kłamać is the standard, neutral way to say to lie, okłamywać is used specifically when the lie is directed at a certain person (to lie to or deceive someone). łgać is also a way to say to lie, but it is a more formal or literary way to say 'to lie' compared to kłamać.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms kłamać, łgać and okłamywać are imperfective, describing the ongoing or habitual act of lying. For a single, completed act of telling a lie, you would use the perfective form skłamać.
How do you pronounce it?
The word kłamać is pronounced /ˈkwa.matɕ/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The verb łgać shares an ancient root with other Indo-European languages, tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂lugʰ-yé-ti.
- While kłamać is the common verb, the noun for a lie, kłamstwo, is used in the Polish equivalent of the English phrase 'white lie', which is białe kłamstwo.
- The verb łgać is often used in Polish to describe a more systemic or profound form of dishonesty, appearing frequently in biblical translations and classical literature.
Examples in context
- Nie wolno ci kłamać.You mustn't lie.This sentence demonstrates the prohibition of lying using kłamać.Tatoeba #368483 by zipangu, translation #489418 by adjusting
- Nie chcę okłamywać Toma.I don't want to lie to Tom.This sentence shows how to use okłamywać when directing a lie toward a specific person.Tatoeba #3897653 by jeedrek, translation #2033229 by CK
- Czasem lepiej jest kłamać.Sometimes it's better to lie.This sentence illustrates a context where one might choose to lie using kłamać.Tatoeba #10667436 by igxr, translation #1213525 by alec
- On kłamieHe lies
- Kłamstwo ma krótkie nogiA lie has short legs
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tomasz and Agnieszka are discussing a mutual friend's behavior.
- TomaszCzy on naprawdę zaczął kłamać?Did he really start lying?
- AgnieszkaTak, on często kłamie.Yes, he lies often.
- TomaszTo bardzo smutne.That is very sad.
- AgnieszkaWiem, nie ufam mu już.I know, I don't trust him anymore.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lie” translations and entries kłamać, łgać, okłamywać, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kłamać, okłamywać, łgać, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
