Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| niebo | /ˈɲɛ.bɔ/ /ˈɲɛ.bɔ/ (Middle, Polish) |
neuter |
| firmament | /firˈma.mɛnt/ | inanimate, masculine |
The word refers to the atmosphere above a given point, specifically the area where one sees the sun, moon, stars and clouds. In Polish, niebo is used to describe both the physical sky and the religious concept of heaven.
Which one should you use?
niebo is the standard word used in everyday speech, while firmament is a poetic or archaic term for the sky. Additionally, the plural form niebiosa can be used to refer to the sky.
How does it change in a sentence?
niebo is a neuter gender noun. The form nieba is the genitive case, which is used to express possession or after certain prepositions, such as pod niebem (under the sky) or to indicate a lack of something, like brak nieba (lack of sky).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɲɛ.bɔ/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- Polish uses the phrase pod gołym niebem ('under the naked sky') to describe any activity taking place outdoors.
- The phrase spadło mi z nieba ('it fell to me from the sky') is used when something unexpectedly wonderful happens or a long-awaited solution appears.
- The Polish word niebo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'nebula', referring to the same misty or cloudy origins.
Examples in context
- Stał patrząc w niebo.He stood looking at the sky.This sentence is useful for describing someone looking at the niebo.Tatoeba #442889 by zipangu, translation #295587 by sundown
- Niebo robi się ciemne.The sky is getting dark.This sentence is useful for describing the changing state of the niebo.Tatoeba #7610586 by qmak, translation #18344 by CK
- Niebo było pełne gwiazd.The sky was filled with stars.This sentence is useful for describing a night sky filled with stars using niebo.Tatoeba #535210 by orzechowski, translation #580463 by CM
- Ta noc jest przepełniona gwiazdami na firmamencie.This night is filled with stars in the sky.
- Pola rozciągają się pod błękitnym firmamentem.The fields stretch under the blue sky.
- Niebo bezchmurneCloudless sky
- Niebo zachmurzoneCloudy sky
- Niebo rozgwieżdżoneStarry sky
- Niebo pochmurneOvercast sky
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are looking out the window at a clear afternoon.
- MałgorzataSpójrz, jakie dziś jest piękne niebo.Look, the sky is so beautiful today.
- TomaszTak, jest idealnie błękitne.Yes, it is perfectly blue.
- MałgorzataChciałabym, żeby niebo było zawsze takie czyste.I wish the sky was always this clear.
- TomaszMałgorzato, dzisiaj mamy dużo szczęścia.Małgorzata, we are very lucky today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sky” translations and entries niebo, firmament, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries firmament, niebo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
