deszcz
/ˈdɛʂt͡ʂ/
Rain in Polish is deszcz.
The term deszcz refers to an instance of particles falling. For a more formal and technical context, you might use the term opad atmosferyczny (atmospheric precipitation). Common related phrases include deszczowy dzień (rainy day) and płaszcz przeciwdeszczowy (raincoat).
Meaning: an instance of particles falling (noun)
Which one should you use?
While deszcz is the general word for rain, Polish has more specific terms depending on the intensity. For a heavy downpour, use ulewa. For a light drizzle, use mżawka. If you want to describe light or gentle rain in an informal way, you can use the diminutive deszczyk.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the southern parts of Poland, particularly in Silesia, the term siąpić is used to refer to light rain or drizzle.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'it is raining' in Polish, you use the verb 'padać' (to fall) with the noun, resulting in pada deszcz. The form deszczu is used after certain prepositions or when expressing the absence of rain, such as nie ma deszczu (there is no rain).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdɛʂtʂ/
When do people say it?
Leje jak z cebra means "It's pouring."
Did you know?
- The word deszcz evolved from the Old Polish form deżdż, which itself came from the Proto-Slavic root *dъždžь.
- The verb siąpić used in some regions is an onomatopoeic word, meaning the word itself is designed to mimic the sound of light, persistent rain.
- The Polish idiom leje jak z cebra literally translates to 'it is pouring as if from a bucket', echoing the English 'raining buckets'.
Examples in context
- Czy lubi pan deszcz?Do you like rain?This sentence uses deszcz to ask if someone likes rain.Tatoeba #1626378 by zipangu, translation #434604 by lukaszpp
- Zanosi się na deszcz.It looks like rain.This sentence uses deszcz to describe an upcoming change in weather.Tatoeba #3975398 by jeedrek, translation #26783 by blay_paul
- Deszcz padał całą noc.The rain lasted the whole night.This sentence uses deszcz to describe the duration of rain during the night.Tatoeba #5138510 by Tomash, translation #3973418 by coynejeremy
- Dzisiaj spodziewamy się intensywnego deszczu.Today we are expecting heavy rain.
- Wygląda na to, że dziś wieczorem będzie padał delikatny deszczyk.It looks like there will be a light rain tonight.
- Leniuchujemy w domu, słuchając przyjemnej pluchy za oknem.We are lazing around the house, listening to the pleasant drizzle outside.
- 82 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Krzysztof are looking out the window together.
- AnnaPopatrz, idzie deszcz!Look, rain is coming!
- KrzysztofO nie, nie mam parasola.Oh no, I don't have an umbrella.
- AnnaTen deszcz nie przestanie padać.This rain won't stop falling.
- KrzysztofZostaniemy w domu dzisiaj.We will stay home today.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry deszcz, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deszcz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
