chory
/ˈxɔ.rɘ/
The Polish word for sick is chory.
chory is the most common way to say sick in Polish. If you want to refer to the illness or disease itself rather than a person, use the noun choroba. To describe a general feeling of being unwell, you can use the phrase złe samopoczucie, which literally means bad well-being.
Meaning: ill, used as a substantive: sick people, collectively (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
Use chora for a feminine subject, chore for neuter singular subjects or non-masculine plural groups and chorzy for masculine personal plural groups (groups of men or mixed-gender groups). The word psychicznie chory is used specifically to mean mentally ill. In the genitive singular, the adjective becomes chorego.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable: /ˈxɔ.rɘ/.
Did you know?
- The word chory shares a common ancestor with the English word 'sore', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *swer-der, which related to physical suffering or being wounded.
- In modern Polish slang, chory is often used to describe something crazy, wild or unbelievable, similar to the English slang use of 'sick'.
- To wish someone a speedy recovery, Poles use the phrase Szybkiego powrotu do zdrowia, focusing on the 'return to health' rather than just getting better.
Examples in context
- On nie jest chory.He's not sick.This sentence shows how to use chory in a negative statement about a male subject.Tatoeba #6483548 by nusia2302, translation #1307446 by CK
- Tom nie jest chory.Tom isn't sick.This sentence demonstrates the use of chory with a proper name.Tatoeba #3978235 by jeedrek, translation #2237015 by CK
- On naprawdę jest chory.He is truly sick.This sentence shows how to emphasize that someone is truly chory.Tatoeba #970404 by zipangu, translation #970169 by slivercat
- Jestem choryI am sick
- Dziś mam złe samopoczucieToday I feel sick
- Czuję się kiepsko, mam gorączkęI feel sick, I have a fever
- Jestem chory, mam katar i ból gardłaI am sick, I have a runny nose and a sore throat
- Życzę ci zdrowia, wyzdrowiej szybko!I wish you good health, get well soon!
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Piotr are talking about their friend at home.
- AnnaCzy Marek jest chory?Is Marek sick?
- PiotrTak, jest bardzo chory.Yes, he is very sick.
- AnnaCzy musi iść do lekarza?Does he have to see a doctor?
- PiotrMyślę, że tak.I think so.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chory, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chory, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
