Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA |
|---|---|
| nieuprzejmy | /ɲɛ.uˈpʂɛj.mɘ/ |
| chamski | /ˈxam.ski/ |
| grubiański | /ɡruˈbjaɲ.ski/ |
Polish uses different words to describe rudeness depending on the intensity and nature of the behavior. Use nieuprzejmy for general impoliteness, chamski for vulgar or churlish behavior that lacks decency and grubiański for behavior that is coarse or unrefined. If someone is being impertinent or brazen, you may also use bezczelny.
What does it mean word for word?
The word nieuprzejmy is composed of the negative prefix nie- (not) and uprzejmy (polite).
Which one should you use?
nieuprzejmy is the standard, neutral way to say someone is impolite. In contrast, chamski is much stronger and implies a lack of basic human decency or vulgarity. grubiański is used specifically to describe rudeness that is coarse, unrefined or boorish.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe a woman as rude, use the feminine form nieuprzejma. To describe a neuter noun, such as behavior (zachowanie), use the form nieuprzejme.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of nieuprzejmy is /ɲɛ.uˈpʂɛj.mɘ/. It has four syllables and the stress is on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- The word chamski has a surprising historical connection to the Hebrew name 'Ham', the son of Noah, which was used in a derogatory sense to describe someone behaving like a 'servant' or 'low-born' person.
- The word uprzejmy in nieuprzejmy shares a root with the word for 'door' or 'threshold', suggesting an original meaning of being 'accessible' or 'approachable'.
- The word grubiański comes from the word 'gruby', which means 'thick' or 'fat' in Polish, implying that coarse rudeness is a type of 'thick-skinned' or unrefined behavior.
Examples in context
- Jesteś nieuprzejmy.You are rude.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is rude using the form nieuprzejmy.Tatoeba #5665121 by machmet, translation #70481 by U2FS
- Jest niesympatyczny dla nowych pracowników.He is rude to new employees.
- Jego zachowanie jest niezwykle bezczelne.His behavior is extremely impertinent.
- On jest totalnym chamem.He is a complete boor.
- Te dowcipy są naprawdę prostakskie.These jokes are really crude.
- Nie bądź taki nieuprzejmy dla klientów.Don't be so rude to the customers.
Example conversation
Krzysztof and Małgorzata are discussing a waiter's behavior at a restaurant.
- KrzysztofTen kelner był dzisiaj bardzo nieuprzejmy.That waiter was very rude today.
- MałgorzataZauważyłam to, Krzysztofie.I noticed that, Krzysztof.
- KrzysztofNie lubię, gdy ktoś jest taki nieuprzejmy.I don't like it when someone is so rude.
- MałgorzataMasz rację, to było bardzo słabe.You're right, that was very poor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rude” translations and entries nieuprzejmy, chamski, grubiański, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chamski, nieuprzejmy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
