światło
/ˈɕfja.twɔ/neuter
The English word "light" translates to Polish as światło.
światło is the noun used to refer to light. In everyday life, it is frequently used in idiomatic phrases: to say "to turn on the light," use zapalić światło (literally "to ignite/light the light"), and to say "to turn off the light," use zgasić światło (literally "to extinguish the light").
Meaning: visible light, brightness (noun)
Which one should you use?
While światło is the noun for light, use the adjective jasny to describe something as bright or light-colored. For technical or scientific contexts, such as "light radiation," the adjective świetlny is used instead. To refer to the intensity of light, the noun jasność (brightness) is used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
światło is a neuter noun. Its plural form is światła.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɕfja.twɔ/. The word has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Polish, światło is used to describe the 'clearance' or the gap between two objects, such as the space between a car and a garage wall.
- The word światło is a linguistic relative of the Polish word świat, which means 'world'.
- The word światło shares an ancient Proto-Indo-European ancestor with the English word 'white'.
Examples in context
- Czy widzisz to światło?Can you see in this light?This example shows how to ask if someone can see in a specific light using światło.Tatoeba #9686630 by aurchykr, translation #3022659 by sharptoothed
- Zobaczyłem światło w oddali.I saw a light in the distance.This example describes seeing a light in the distance using światło.Tatoeba #406199 by zipangu, translation #25824 by CK
- Światło wlało się do pokoju.Light spilled into the room.This example describes light spilling into a room using światło.Tatoeba #12470480 by katix824, translation #12476492 by katix824
- Musimy poprawić oświetlenie w tej sali konferencyjnejWe need to improve the lighting in this conference room
- Ta lampa ma regulowaną jasnośćThis lamp has adjustable brightness
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Paweł and Katarzyna are sitting in a dark room using a flashlight.
- PawełWidzisz to światło?Do you see this light?
- KatarzynaTak, Paweł, widzę je.Yes, Paweł, I see it.
- PawełJest bardzo jasne.It is very bright.
- KatarzynaTo światło oślepia mnie.This light is blinding me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “light” translations and entries światło, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries światło, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
