profesor
/prɔˈfɛ.sɔr/
The English phrase "professor" is translated into Polish as profesor.
The term profesor refers to a teacher or faculty member at a college or university, regardless of their formal rank. It is also used colloquially to describe any university lecturer.
Meaning: teacher or faculty member at a college or university, regardless of formal rank (noun)
Which one should you use?
While profesor is used colloquially for any university lecturer, it also refers to the specific highest academic rank of full professor.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes depending on its role in a sentence. Use profesora for the accusative case, such as when the professor is the direct object of a verb. Use profesorowi for the dative case, which is used when giving something to the professor or expressing a relation to them. The form profesorów is the genitive plural, used to indicate "of the professors" or when expressing a quantity of professors.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /prɔˈfɛ.sɔr/. It has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- Polish has a distinct feminine form profesorka which is used in more informal or feminist contexts, though profesor can still be used for women in formal contexts.
- In many Polish universities, students will address a 'profesor' using the title 'Pan' or 'Pani' followed by their academic title as a mark of respect, rather than using their name alone.
- The Polish word profesor shares its Latin roots with the English 'profess', meaning to declare or admit, which reflects the original Latin sense of one who 'professes' knowledge.
Examples in context
- Ten profesor uczy czeskiego.The professor teaches Czech.This sentence shows the use of profesor as a subject.Tatoeba #909240 by zipangu, translation #873656 by shekitten
- On bardzo szanuje tego profesora.He esteems the professor highly.This sentence demonstrates the accusative form profesora when the professor is the object of the verb.Tatoeba #361711 by zipangu, translation #290687 by Zifre
- Nasz profesor ma dobrą reputację.Our professor has a good reputation.This sentence shows the noun in its standard form.Tatoeba #3584590 by cvbge, translation #2074205 by _undertoad
- Pan Profesor Nowak ma dzisiaj wykład o ekonomii.Mr. Professor Nowak has a lecture on economics today.
- Dzień dobry, Szanowny Panie Profesorze!Good day, Dear Mr. Professor!
- Profesor, czy mogę zadać pytanie?Professor, can I ask a question?
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Małgorzata and Tomasz are talking about their university classes.
- MałgorzataCzy ten profesor jest miły?Is this professor nice?
- TomaszTak, to bardzo dobry profesor.Yes, he is a very good professor.
- MałgorzataMój profesor prowadzi wykład teraz.My professor is giving a lecture now.
- TomaszPowodzenia na zajęciach!Good luck in class!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry profesor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries profesor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
