mój przyjaciel
/ˈmuj pʂɘˈja.t͡ɕɛl/word by word
The English phrase "my friend" is translated into Polish as mój przyjaciel.
Mój przyjaciel implies a deep, close friendship, whereas mój kolega is used for an acquaintance or a casual friend.
Which one should you use?
Use moja przyjaciółka if the friend is female, as mój przyjaciel is masculine. Kolega means 'buddy' or 'mate' and is used to refer to male friends. Koleżanka is the female form of kolega, meaning 'girlfriend' or 'female buddy.'
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase mój przyjaciel must change its endings depending on its role in the sentence, such as mojego przyjaciela when used as a direct object. The form changes to mojemu przyjacielowi when you are giving something to your friend or speaking to/about them in the dative case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmuj pʂɘˈja.tɕɛl/. The first of the three syllables is stressed.
Did you know?
- The root of przyjaciel comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *preyH-, which is the same ancient ancestor that gave English the word 'prize'.
- If you call someone przyjaciel in a sarcastic tone, it can be used as a cold or distancing way to address a stranger or an enemy.
- The distinction between przyjaciel and kolega is so strong that some Polish speakers may never use przyjaciel for anyone except a handful of people in their entire life.
Examples in context
- Mój przyjaciel nie gra w tenisa.My friend doesn't play tennis.This is useful for describing what your friend does not do.Tatoeba #623358 by Bilberry, translation #1899347 by Eldad
- Mój przyjaciel ma siedemnaście lat.My friend is seventeen years old.This is useful for stating your friend's age.Tatoeba #357886 by zipangu, translation #761865 by Zifre
- Dlaczego mój przyjaciel jest idiotą?Why is my friend an idiot?This is useful for asking a question about your friend.Tatoeba #3634369 by Katubeltza, translation #3633907 by mingzhouren
- Mój przyjaciel Tomasz jest zawsze pomocnyMy friend Tomasz is always helpful.
- Moja przyjaciółka Marta mieszka w WarszawieMy friend Marta lives in Warsaw.
- Dzisiaj spotkam się z koleżanką na kawęToday, I'm meeting my female friend for coffee.
- Gdzie jesteś, ziom?Where are you, my friend?
- Spotkam się z kumplem na piwieI'm meeting my buddy for a beer.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Katarzyna is introducing someone to Piotr.
- KatarzynaPiotr, to jest mój przyjaciel, Adam.Piotr, this is my friend, Adam.
- PiotrCześć, Adam! Miło cię poznać.Hi, Adam! Nice to meet you.
- KatarzynaMój przyjaciel mieszka w Warszawie.My friend lives in Warsaw.
- PiotrO, ja też tam kiedyś mieszkałem.Oh, I used to live there too.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (mój, przyjaciel) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mój, przyjaciel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
