How to Say “Respect” in Polish

Ways to say it

The term refers to admiration for a person or entity due to perceived merit. To express the act of having respect for someone's character or qualities, the standard verb is szanować. If you want to say one has regard for the rights of others, use the verb uszanować. For showing respect, you can use the phrase wykazywać szacunek.

Which one should you use?

While szacunek is the most common and neutral way to say respect in everyday Polish, other forms exist with different nuances. Poważanie is typically used to describe the level of respect or social standing a person commands within a community. In a more formal or literary context, estyma is used to describe high esteem or dignity. The verb respektować often carries a connotation of obeying or complying with rules and boundaries, whereas szanować is the standard term for admiring a person's qualities.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

szacunek is the standard, neutral term for everyday use. respekt and estyma are considered literary forms. atencja is a dated feminine noun, and atentacja is an archaic feminine noun. For casual respect, one might use the verb doceniać, which means to appreciate.

Related words

To have regard for the rights of others (verb): uszanować.

To have respect for (verb): szanować, poważać, respektować.

How do you pronounce it?

The pronunciation of szacunek is /ʂaˈtsu.nɛk/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

When do people say it?

In Polish culture, addressing others correctly is a key way to show respect. Using the titles Pan (Mr.) or Pani (Mrs./Ms.) is standard for displaying respect. Conversely, using the informal pronoun ty (you) with people you do not know well or who are older than you may be perceived as impolite.