Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| na zewnątrz | /na‿ˈzɛv.nɔntʂ/ | |
| na dworze | /na‿ˈdvɔ.ʐɛ/ | |
| na dwór | /ˈna ˈdvur/ (word by word) | |
| na pole | regional |
The term is used to describe being outdoors or the exterior of something. While na zewnątrz is a neutral way to refer to the exterior of a specific object or building, other forms are used to specify being in the open air.
Which one should you use?
The forms you choose depend on whether you are describing a stationary state or movement, and how specific you are being. Use na dworze to describe being in a stationary state outdoors, such as playing or sleeping. Use na dwór to describe movement toward the outdoors, such as going outside. Na zewnątrz is a neutral term that can refer to the exterior of an object or building, whereas na dworze specifically refers to the open air. For a more formal way to say "outside of" something, use poza.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Poland, particularly in Kraków, you will hear na pole used as a directional form (to the outside) instead of na dwór and na polu used as a locative form (outdoors) instead of na dworze.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /na‿ˈzɛv.nɔntʂ/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The common phrase na dworze literally translates to 'at the court', referring to the courtyard of a manor or castle.
- Using na pole instead of na dwór can be a subtle linguistic marker that immediately identifies a speaker as being from the Małopolska region.
Examples in context
- Tom spał na dworze.Tom slept outside.This sentence is useful for practicing the locative form na dworze to describe being outdoors.Tatoeba #12476531 by katix824, translation #1523554 by Spamster
- Idź ćwiczyć na dwór.Go exercise outside.This sentence is useful for practicing the directional form na dwór to describe movement.Tatoeba #4785661 by jeedrek, translation #1487677 by marshmallowcat
- Ktoś jest na zewnątrz.Someone's outside.This sentence is useful for practicing the neutral form na zewnątrz.Tatoeba #3495325 by jeedrek, translation #1898244 by CK
- Proszę zamknąć okno. Na zewnątrz jest zimno.Please close the window. It's cold outside.
- Spędzamy czas poza domem.We are spending time outside the house.
- Wychodzę na zewnątrz, do zobaczenia później!I'm going outside, see you later!
- Czy mogę wyjść na zewnątrz?May I go outside?
- Na zewnątrz jest słoneczna pogoda.It's sunny outside.
- Na dworze jest świeże powietrze.There is fresh air outside.
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Małgorzata and Paweł are talking in their kitchen during a storm.
- MałgorzataCzy chcesz wyjść na zewnątrz?Do you want to go outside?
- PawełNie, jest za wietrznie.No, it is too windy.
- MałgorzataMasz rację, zostańmy w domu.You are right, let's stay home.
- PawełTak, to lepszy pomysł.Yes, that is a better idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “outside” translations and entries na zewnątrz, na dworze, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (na, dwór) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries na, na dworze, na zewnątrz, pole, zewnątrz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
