południe
/pɔˈwud.ɲɛ/neuter
The English phrase 'south' is translated into Polish as południe.
południe is the most common and standard Polish word for the compass point south. When referring specifically to the name of the Global South, the capitalized form Południe is used. To describe something as being 'southern' (for example, 'southern Poland'), you should use the adjective południowy.
Meaning: compass point (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun południe is the same word used to mean 'midday' or 'noon'.
Which one should you use?
Because południe can mean both 'south' and 'noon', the intended meaning is determined by the context of your sentence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Silesia region, people may use the phrase na dół to describe traveling in a southern direction.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun południe is a neuter noun and follows standard neuter declension patterns.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɔˈwud.ɲɛ/. The word has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Polish folklore, the phrase południca refers to a malevolent spirit or 'noon demon' that appears during the peak heat of the day.
- The word is composed of the elements 'pół' and 'dzień', which translates to 'half' and 'day'.
- The spelling of południe features the letter 'ł', which produces a sound similar to the English 'w' rather than a standard 'l'.
Examples in context
- Ptaki lecą na południe.The birds are flying south.This sentence is useful for describing the movement of birds toward the południe.Tatoeba #6156404 by arie, translation #2649826 by sharptoothed
- Kieruj się na południe.Head south.This sentence is useful for giving directions toward the południe.Tatoeba #10596312 by polski_ren, translation #8102690 by CK
- Jestem na stacji benzynowej trzysta mil na południe od Bostonu.I'm at a gas station thirty miles south of Boston.This sentence is useful for describing a location relative to a city using południe.Tatoeba #3033971 by jeedrek, translation #3024181 by CK
- Miasto Kraków leży na południu PolskiThe city of Krakow is located in the south of Poland.
- Front PołudniowySouthern front
- Tereny południoweSouthern territories
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tomasz and Agnieszka are looking at a map while hiking.
- TomaszGdzie jest południe?Where is south?
- AgnieszkaMusimy iść na południe.We must go south.
- TomaszCzy widzisz ten szlak?Do you see this trail?
- AgnieszkaTak, prowadzi na południe.Yes, it leads south.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “south” translations and entries południe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries południe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
