lubić
/ˈlu.bit͡ɕ/
The English phrase 'like' is translated into Polish as lubić.
Lubić is used for general preferences and liking people or things, whereas podobać się is used to express that something is aesthetically pleasing or attractive to someone.
Which one should you use?
While lubić means 'to like', kochać is used for the stronger emotion of 'to love'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present tense, the form of lubić changes based on the subject: lubię means 'I like', lubisz means 'you like', lubi means 'he/she/it likes', lubimy means 'we like', lubicie means 'you (plural) like' and lubią means 'they like'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /ˈlu.bitɕ/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In very informal Polish, instead of saying lubię to, people might use the slang term jaram się, which literally translates to 'I am on fire' for something. It expresses a much more intense, trendy kind of liking.
- Polish has a specific word lubieżny, derived from lubić, which describes someone who is 'lustful' rather than simply 'liking' something.
- The Polish language distinguishes between the 'liking' of lubić and the 'liking' of podobać się based on who is the grammatical subject: in podobać się, the object being liked is the one performing the action.
Examples in context
- Nie da się nie lubić Toma.You can't help but like Tom.Tatoeba #3869779 by liori, translation #3643467 by patgfisher
- Nie rozumiem, jak możesz lubić tę knajpę.I can't believe that you like that restaurant.Tatoeba #961547 by zipangu, translation #953372 by CK
- Jeżeli będziesz pracował jak zwykle, to dostaniesz podwyżkęIf you work like usual, you will get a raise.
- Chciałbym mieć taki sam samochódI would like to have a car like that.
- Nie lubię chemii, podobnie jak matematykiI don't like chemistry, like mathematics.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lubić, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
