wujek
/ˈvu.jɛk/masculine, person
The English word uncle is translated into Polish as wujek. Wiktionary also lists stryj and stryjek.
Meaning: brother (or brother-in-law) of someone’s parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| wujek | /ˈvu.jɛk/ | masculine, person |
| stryj | /ˈstrɘj/ | masculine, person |
| stryjek | /ˈstrɘ.jɛk/ | masculine, person |
| wuj | /ˈvuj/ | masculine, person |
The term refers to the brother or brother-in-law of a person's parent. In colloquial Polish, wujek is also frequently used to refer to a man who is not a biological relative, much like the English use of 'uncle'.
Which one should you use?
wuj is a formal or neutral way to say uncle, while wujek is the diminutive form. wujek is the most common and affectionate way to refer to an uncle in everyday speech. The forms stryj and stryjek are also masculine nouns used for this relation.
How do you pronounce it?
2 syllables, stress on the 1st syllable: /ˈvu.jɛk/
Did you know?
- Polish distinguishes between your paternal and maternal uncles. While wujek is used for your mother's brother or your father's brother-in-law, stryjek specifically refers to your father's own brother.
- The word stryj is inherited from the Proto-Slavic word *strъjь, which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *stru-.
- While wujek is the standard term, using stryjek in a modern city might sound old-fashioned or very formal to some younger Polish speakers.
Examples in context
- To jest mój wujek.This is my uncle.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as your wuj.Tatoeba #10701995 by tokzyk, translation #10701241 by AlanF_US
- Ile lat ma Twój wujek?How old is your uncle?This sentence is useful for asking the age of someone's wuj.Tatoeba #2008881 by Dominika, translation #70997 by CK
- Mój wujek dał mi książkę.My uncle gave me a book.This sentence is useful for describing an action performed by a wuj.Tatoeba #726663 by orzechowski, translation #65060 by CK
- Dzień dobry, wujku!Good day, uncle!
- Cześć, wuju!Hi, uncle!
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking about an upcoming family visit.
- TomaszCzy nasz wujek przyjedzie na obiad?Is our uncle coming for dinner?
- AnnaTak, wujek będzie u nas o szóstej.Yes, uncle will be with us at six.
- TomaszBardzo się cieszę, że wujek nas odwiedzi.I am very glad that uncle is visiting us.
- AnnaJa też, Tomasz.Me too, Tomasz.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “uncle” translations and entries wujek, stryj, stryjek, wuj, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries stryj, stryjek, wuj, wujek, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
