owca
/ˈɔf.t͡sa/feminine
The Polish word for sheep is owca.
owca is a feminine noun used to refer to the animal.
Meaning: animal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is owca. When you need the plural, use owce. For the genitive singular, which is used to show possession or follows certain prepositions, the form is owcy.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /ˈɔf.tsa/. The first syllable is stressed.
Did you know?
- While owca is the general term for the animal, a male sheep is called a baran. This word is also used as a common slang term for a stubborn or foolish person.
- The word owca evolved from the Proto-Slavic form *ovьca, which combined a root for the animal with a diminutive suffix.
- Depending on the region of Poland, shepherds historically used a distinct set of whistles and calls to command owce that are not part of the standard Polish language.
Examples in context
- To nie jest owca. To koza.This isn't a sheep. It's a goat.This sentence is useful for identifying the animal correctly.Tatoeba #12799827 by JimiYoru, translation #10726308 by CK
- Jaki dźwięk wydaje owca?What sound does a sheep make?This sentence is useful for asking about animal sounds.Tatoeba #1059841 by Karola, translation #324870 by CM
- Demokracja musi być czymś więcej niż tym, że dwa wilki i owca głosują nad tym co zjeść na obiad.Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.This sentence uses the word in a metaphorical context regarding democracy.Tatoeba #1350561 by Ollie1337, translation #411117 by Scott
- Owca jest na farmie.A sheep is on the farm
- Widziałem barana.I saw a sheep
Example conversation
Małgorzata and Tomasz are visiting a farm.
- MałgorzataZobacz, ta biała owca jest bardzo mała.Look, this white sheep is very small.
- TomaszMasz rację, to pewnie młoda owca.You're right, it's probably a young sheep.
- MałgorzataCzy możemy pogłaskać tę owcę?Can we pet this sheep?
- TomaszZapytajmy najpierw właściciela farmy.Let's ask the farm owner first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sheep” translations and entries owca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries owca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
