Which one should you use?
While ciepły means warm, you should use gorący when describing something that is hot.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use ciepła for feminine singular nouns, such as ciepła woda (warm water). Use ciepłe for neuter singular nouns, such as ciepłe mleko (warm milk) or for non-masculine-personal plural nouns. The form ciepłych is used for the genitive case, or for masculine-personal plural nouns. For example, after a negation like nie lubię ciepłych dni (I don't like warm days).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable. The IPA is /ˈtɕɛ.pwɘ/.
When do people say it?
In a colloquial context, the phrase cieplutko jak u mamy is used to mean 'nice and warm like at mom's'.
Did you know?
- The Polish word ciepły is a cognate of the English word 'tepid', as both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *tep- meaning 'to be warm'.
- Polish has a 'diminutive' form cieplutki which describes something that is not just warm, but 'cozy' or 'pleasantly warm' in a cute way.
- While 'warm' is an adjective, the related verb ocieplać is often used metaphorically to mean 'to soften' or 'to improve' a situation or an image.
Examples in context
- To był ciepły dzień.It was a warm day.This sentence demonstrates the use of ciepły to describe a day.Tatoeba #4658293 by lolachan, translation #276784 by CK
- Nie lubię ciepłych zim.I don't like warm winters.This sentence shows the use of ciepły in the genitive plural form after a negation.Tatoeba #352223 by zipangu, translation #276782 by CK
- Klimat jest wilgotny i ciepły.The climate is moist and warm.This sentence shows the use of ciepły to describe a climate.Tatoeba #1920871 by zipangu, translation #1920678 by Spamster
- Dziś jest naprawdę ciepło na zewnątrz.It's really warm outside today.
- Czuję ciepło w sercu z tego powodu.I feel warmth in my heart because of this.
- W moim domu jest cieplutko dzięki kominkowi.It's nice and warm in my house thanks to the fireplace.
- Woda pod prysznicem była przyjemnie ciepła po długim spacerze.The water in the shower was pleasantly warm after a long walk.
- Usiadłem na słońcu i odczułem przyjemnie ciepły promień na twarzy.I sat in the sun and felt a pleasantly warm ray on my face.
- W tym kocu czuję się cieplutko jak u mamy.In this blanket, I feel nice and warm like at mom's.
- Zjadłem pyszne śniadanie i było mi cieplutko jak u mamy.I had a delicious breakfast, and I felt nice and warm like at mom's.
- W tej kawiarni zawsze grzeje jak w piecu.In this café, it's always warm like in an oven.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Katarzyna and Paweł are sitting in a living room.
- KatarzynaCzy ten koc jest dla ciebie wystarczająco ciepły?Is this blanket warm enough for you?
- PawełTak, jest idealny, dziękuję.Yes, it is perfect, thank you.
- KatarzynaChcesz też ciepły napój?Do you want a warm drink too?
- PawełChętnie, herbata byłaby świetna.I'd love to, tea would be great.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “warm” translations and entries ciepły, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciepły, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
