staruszka
/staˈruʂ.ka/feminine
The English phrase "old lady" can be translated into Polish as staruszka. Wiktionary also lists stara.
Meaning: informal: elderly woman (noun)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| staruszka | /staˈruʂ.ka/ | feminine |
| stara | /ˈsta.ra/ | feminine |
Both terms are used to refer to an elderly woman in an informal context.
Which one should you use?
The form staruszka carries a diminutive, endearing quality, similar to 'old lady' used affectionately in English. In contrast, stara is often used in a derogatory or blunt way to mean 'old woman'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of staruszka is staruszki. If you are using the dative case (to say "to the old lady"), use the form staruszce.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /staˈruʂ.ka/.
When do people say it?
If you want to refer to an elderly woman or your actual grandmother in an endearing way, you might use the word Babcia, which translates to "grandma".
Did you know?
- While stara means 'old', it is also used as a slang term for a woman's wife or long-term partner, often in a way that sounds disrespectful to outsiders.
- While Babcia means 'grandma', it is common in Poland for children to call any elderly woman Babcia as a sign of respect and affection, even if they are not related.
- Using staruszka to describe a stranger might actually backfire, as it can sound patronizing, as if you are treating a grown woman like a child.
Examples in context
- Ta miła staruszka mieszka obok.That kind old lady lives nearby.
- Ta staruszka zawsze ma pyszne ciasteczka.That old lady always has delicious cookies.
Example conversation
Agnieszka and Tomasz are talking about a neighbor.
- AgnieszkaWidziałeś tę staruszkę z małym psem?Did you see that old lady with the small dog?
- TomaszTak, wygląda na bardzo wesołą osobę.Yes, she looks like a very cheerful person.
- AgnieszkaZawsze uśmiecha się do wszystkich.She always smiles at everyone.
- TomaszTo naprawdę urocza staruszka.She is a truly lovely old lady.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old lady” translations and entries staruszka, stara, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
