czas
/ˈt͡ʂas/inanimate, masculine
The Polish word for time is czas.
czas refers to the abstract concept of time or a duration. If you want to ask for the current time, use the phrase Która godzina? instead of using the word czas. For example, in informal settings, you might say piąta (fifth) to mean 5 p.m. rather than using the formal 24-hour term siedemnasta.
Meaning: measurement of a quantity of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While czas refers to time as an abstract concept or a length of time, the word pora is used for specific moments, such as a particular time of day (e.g., lunchtime) or a season.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Poland, speakers may say południe instead of dwunasta to refer to noon.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun czas is a masculine inanimate noun. It changes to czasu in the genitive case, which is required after many expressions of quantity or negation, such as nie mam czasu (I don't have time). Additionally, the instrumental form of the noun, czasem, is used to mean 'sometimes'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʂas/
Did you know?
- The phrase czas ucieka means 'time is flying' or 'time is running out', literally translating to 'time is escaping'.
- In Polish, the word czas is used for the grammatical 'tense' of a verb, just as it is used for 'time' in general.
- The Polish word czas descends from the Proto-Slavic čàsъ, which originally referred to a specific period or hour rather than the abstract concept of time.
Examples in context
- Czy to już czas?Is it time?This sentence shows how to ask if it is time.Tatoeba #10565742 by tokzyk, translation #2248473 by CK
- Ma pan dużo czasu?Do you have a lot of time?This sentence uses the form czasu to express a quantity of time.Tatoeba #903391 by zipangu, translation #69902 by CK
- Jak ten czas leci!How time flies!This sentence uses the form czas to describe the passage of time.Tatoeba #2987435 by jeedrek, translation #240401 by CM
- Jest pierwszaIt's one o'clock.
- Jest szósta trzydzieściIt's half past six.
- Jest dziewiąta czterdzieści pięćIt's forty-five minutes past nine.
- piętnaście minut po czwartejFifteen minutes past four
- Jest drugaIt's two o'clock.
- Jest dziesiąta trzydzieściIt's half past ten.
- Jest dwunasta piętnaścieIt's quarter past twelve.
- 681 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Katarzyna and Tomasz are discussing their work schedule.
- KatarzynaCzy masz teraz czas na krótką rozmowę?Do you have time for a short conversation now?
- TomaszNiestety, nie mam teraz wolnego czasu.Unfortunately, I don't have any free time now.
- KatarzynaO której będziesz miał czas?What time will you have time?
- TomaszBędę wolny za godzinę, Katarzyno.I will be free in an hour, Katarzyna.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “time” translations and entries czas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries czas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
