obrócić
/ɔbˈru.t͡ɕit͡ɕ/perfective
The Polish verb for 'turn' is obrócić. Wiktionary also lists obracać.
Meaning: transitive: change the direction or orientation of, especially by rotation (verb)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| obrócić | /ɔbˈru.t͡ɕit͡ɕ/ | perfective |
| obracać | /ɔbˈra.t͡sat͡ɕ/ | imperfective |
Both forms of the verb mean to change the direction or orientation of something, typically through rotation.
Which one should you use?
The verb forms differ based on whether the action is ongoing or completed. For the nouns, obrót refers to the act of rotation or a turn itself, while skręt specifically refers to a change in direction, such as a bend or a turn in a road.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
obrócić is the perfective form, used to describe a completed action or a single instance of turning something. obracać is the imperfective form, used for an ongoing process or a repeated action of turning.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ɔbˈru.tɕitɕ/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The root of obrócić contains the word wrócić, which means 'to return'. This makes the literal sense of the verb 'to turn something around' or 'to bring it back around'.
- In a business context, obrót is the standard word for 'turnover', referring to the amount of money or goods moving through a company.
- The phrase obrócić w pył means to turn something into dust, and is used both literally and as a metaphor for total destruction.
Examples in context
- obrócić coś w żartTo turn something into a joke/to laugh off/to play off as a jokeThis example shows how to use obrócić in the sense of turning a situation into a joke.
- Koło zaczęło się obracać.The wheel began to turn.This example shows how to use obracać to describe a wheel that has begun to turn.Tatoeba #591874 by simaqian, translation #265644 by CM
- Skręć w prawo na kolejnym skrzyżowaniu.Turn right at the next intersection.
- Prosimy o skręt w lewo przy następnym skrzyżowaniu.Please turn left at the next intersection.
- Proszę zawrócić przy najbliższym rondzie.Please make a U-turn at the nearest roundabout.
- Zrób skręt w prawo za tym dużym budynkiem.Do a turn to the right after that big building.
- Zawróć i wróć do poprzedniej ulicy.Turn around and go back to the previous street.
- Skręcaj w lewo za tym czerwonym domem.Turn left after that red house.
- Odbij w prawo przy najbliższym skrzyżowaniu.Turn right at the nearest intersection.
- Musisz obrócić ten klucz w zamku.You must turn this key in the lock.
Example conversation
Małgorzata and Krzysztof are trying to open an old cabinet.
- MałgorzataKrzysztofie, spróbuj to otworzyć.Krzysztof, try to open this.
- KrzysztofNie mogę, klucz się zacina.I can't, the key is sticking.
- MałgorzataMoże musisz mocniej obrócić klucz?Maybe you need to turn the key harder?
- KrzysztofTak, teraz zadziałało!Yes, it worked now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turn” translations and entries obrócić, obracać, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries obracać, obrócić, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
