śmieci
/ˈɕmjɛ.t͡ɕi/
The Polish word for 'trash' is śmieci.
śmieci is a noun used to refer to things to be discarded. If you wish to describe the action of taking out the trash, you can use the phrase wyrzucić śmieci, which literally means 'to throw out the trash'. To refer to the object used to hold waste, such as a trash can or garbage bin, use the phrase kosz na śmieci.
Meaning: things to be discarded (noun)
Which one should you use?
While śmieci is used for collective waste, the singular form śmieć can refer to a single piece of litter or a speck of dirt.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable. It is pronounced /ˈɕmjɛ.tɕi/.
Did you know?
- In Polish, the word śmieć can also be used as a harsh insult for a person, essentially calling them 'trash' or 'scum'.
- Poland has a highly specific system of segregacja śmieci where waste is split into five distinct colors, and mixing them can lead to fines.
- The word śmieci is used in the term śmieciarka, which is the standard word for a garbage truck, literally a 'trash-machine'.
Examples in context
- Zapomniałeś wynieść śmieci dziś rano.You forgot to take the trash out this morning.This sentence shows how to use śmieci when talking about forgetting to take the trash out.Tatoeba #6304243 by arie, translation #4014283 by CK
- Marysiu, dlaczego twoja kopia jest w koszu na śmieci?Mary, why is your copy in the trash can?This sentence illustrates the use of śmieci within the phrase for a trash can.Tatoeba #13791012 by Just_Balls, translation #13791011 by Just_Balls
- Wyrzuciłem śmieci.I took out the trash.This sentence demonstrates a simple way to say you have taken out the śmieci.Tatoeba #10529982 by Shounen, translation #5938404 by CK
- Nie możemy zostawić takiego badziewia na ulicy.We can't leave such junk on the street.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is cleaning their apartment together.
- TomaszAnno, czy możesz wynieść śmieci?Anna, can you take out the trash?
- AnnaTak, Tomaszu, zrobię to teraz.Yes, Tomasz, I will do it now.
- TomaszDziękuję, bo jest ich bardzo dużo.Thank you, because there is a lot of it.
- AnnaNie ma problemu, już idę.No problem, I'm going now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry śmieci, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
