Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| biegać | /ˈbjɛ.ɡat͡ɕ/ | abstract, imperfective |
| biec | /ˈbjɛt͡s/ | concrete, imperfective |
Both forms are imperfective verbs used to describe the action of moving quickly on two feet. While both translate to 'run', they are used in different contexts depending on whether you are describing a habit or a specific motion.
Which one should you use?
Use biegać when describing the habit of running or the general activity of running, such as saying 'I run every morning'. Use biec when focusing on continuous motion toward a destination or during a specific moment, such as 'I am running to the store'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun bieg refers to a single run, a race or a specific course or path. If you want to refer to a person who runs, the word is biegacz. The related noun wybieg refers to an enclosure for animals.
How do you pronounce it?
The word biegać is pronounced /ˈbjɛ.ɡatɕ/ and has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The term bieg is used in mechanical contexts to refer to a 'gear' in a machine.
- The phrase biegać w kółko (to run in circles) is used both literally and as a common idiom for wasting time or making no progress.
- The Polish verb biec shares a common ancestor with the Ancient Greek word phébomai, which means 'to flee'.
Examples in context
- Mogę biegać z tobą?May I run with you?This sentence is useful for asking permission to run with someone using biegać.Tatoeba #591604 by Bilberry, translation #27683 by CK
- Chciałem biec do domu.I wanted to run home.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to run toward a specific place using biec.Tatoeba #13371098 by cattoful, translation #4980180 by CK
- Tom umie szybko biegać.Tom can run fast.This sentence is useful for describing someone's ability to run fast using biegać.Tatoeba #567153 by Bilberry, translation #37069 by CK
- Proszę nie biec po korytarzu!Please do not run in the hallway!
- Biegam, ponieważ muszę czasem gonić autobus.I run because sometimes I have to chase the bus.
- Czy możemy pobiec do sklepu?Can we run to the store?
- Gdzie się pędzisz tak szybko?Where are you rushing off to so quickly?
- Idziemy truchtać do parku?Shall we go for a slow run in the park?
- Zaczynam biegać każdego ranka, i jest to niesamowicie relaksujące.I start running every morning, and it is incredibly relaxing.
- Pędzę tak szybko, jak tylko mogę, aby zdążyć na pociąg.I run as fast as I can to catch the train.
- Goniłem swojego brata, ale nie udało mi się go dogonić.I was chasing my brother, but I couldn't catch up with him.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Agnieszka and Paweł are talking about their morning exercise routine.
- AgnieszkaCzy lubisz biegać rano?Do you like to run in the morning?
- PawełTak, uwielbiam biegać w parku.Yes, I love to run in the park.
- AgnieszkaJa wolę biegać wieczorem.I prefer to run in the evening.
- PawełTo też jest dobry pomysł.That is also a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “run” translations and entries biegać, biec, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries biec, biegać, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
