Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| potwór | /ˈpɔ.tfur/ | |
| poczwara | /pɔˈt͡ʂfa.ra/ | feminine |
| monstrum | /ˈmɔn.strum/ | neuter |
| stwór | /ˈstfur/ | masculine |
| potwora | /pɔˈtfɔ.ra/ /pɔˈtfɔ.ra/ (Middle, Polish) |
feminine |
| bestia | /ˈbɛs.tja/ | feminine |
| bestyja | [bɛsˈtɘ.ja] (narrow) [ˈbɛs.tɘ.ja] (narrow) |
feminine, alternative form |
The primary way to refer to a terrifying or dangerous creature is using the word potwór. You may also encounter bestia, which is a formal synonym often used to describe a person behaving with extreme cruelty or inhumanity. Additionally, the related adjective monstrualny means very large, while potworny is used to describe something that is terrible, horrible or extremely large in scale.
Which one should you use?
While potwór is the standard term for a creature, poczwara is a more literary term that often implies the creature is unnaturally shaped or deformed. Bestia can also be used to mean 'beast'. Additionally, bestyja serves as an alternative spelling of bestia.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form potwora is a feminine singular form used for the word poczwara in certain grammatical cases. The form stwór is a masculine noun variant. The form monstrum is a neuter noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈpɔ.tfur/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
Did you know?
- The term poczwara is rooted in the ancient word czwarzyć, which relates to the process of curdling or thickening.
- The word monstrum is often used to describe an object or a building that is disproportionately large and ugly.
Examples in context
- To nie pająk, to potwór!This is not a spider, it's a monster!This sentence uses potwór to clarify that a creature is not a spider.Tatoeba #7999024 by arie, translation #1820208 by Amastan
- Wyglądał jak jakiś potwór.He looked like some kind of monster.This sentence uses potwór to describe someone's appearance.Tatoeba #6441054 by arie, translation #13786093 by katix824
- W mojej szafie jest potwór.There's a monster in my closet.This sentence uses potwór to describe a creature inside a closet.Tatoeba #7999012 by arie, translation #5351514 by Hybrid
- Druga książka ze słynnej trylogii fantasy miała liczne potwory.The second book of the famous fantasy trilogy had numerous monsters.
- W tej bajce głównym bohaterem jest mały, sympatyczny potworek.In this fairy tale, the main character is a small, friendly monster.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Paweł and Małgorzata are watching a scary movie together.
- PawełCzy ten potwór zaraz wyskoczy z wody?Is that monster about to jump out of the water?
- MałgorzataTak, to będzie najstraszniejsza scena.Yes, that will be the scariest scene.
- PawełTen potwór ma naprawdę wielkie zęby.That monster has really big teeth.
- MałgorzataNie patrz, jeśli się boisz, Paweł.Don't look if you're afraid, Paweł.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monster” translations and entries potwór, poczwara, monstrum, stwór, potwora, bestia, bestyja, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries monstrum, poczwara, potwór, stwór, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
