ślub
/ˈɕlup/masculine
The Polish word for wedding is ślub.
ślub is a masculine noun used to refer to the marriage ceremony itself. If you want to say the act of getting married, use the phrase brać ślub, which literally means 'to take a wedding'.
Meaning: marriage ceremony (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ślub refers specifically to the marriage ceremony, the word wesele refers to the wedding reception or the party that follows. To describe both the ceremony and the festivities as a single event, Polish speakers often use the phrase ślub i wesele.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ślub is śluby. In the genitive case, which is used to indicate possession or after many prepositions, the word changes to ślubu.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɕlup/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using ślub to refer to the entire wedding celebration or the party. This word is strictly for the legal or religious ceremony.
Did you know?
- In some regions, a wesele includes a 'bride kidnapping' prank where the groom must find his wife after she is 'stolen' by guests and negotiate her release.
- At a wesele, guests often perform the oczepiny ritual at midnight, where the bride's veil is removed and replaced with a cap to symbolize her transition to a married woman.
- While ślub is the ceremony, a traditional Polish wesele often lasts for two full days, continuing the next afternoon with a second party called poprawiny.
Examples in context
- To był piękny ślub.It was a beautiful wedding.This sentence shows how to describe a wedding using ślub.Tatoeba #2964000 by ridilla, translation #2045785 by CK
- Kiedy jest jej ślub?When will her wedding be held?This sentence asks about the timing of a wedding using ślub.Tatoeba #904476 by zipangu, translation #309217 by CM
- Ich ślub będzie jutro.Their wedding will be tomorrow.This sentence mentions when a wedding will take place using ślub.Tatoeba #3838972 by jeedrek, translation #305184 by CK
- Czy widziałeś już moje zdjęcia ze ślubu?Did you see my wedding photos?
- Ich ślub odbędzie się w lipcu tego roku.Their wedding will take place in July this year.
- Bawiłem się świetnie na ich weselu!I had a great time at their wedding!
- Czy wiesz, kiedy odbędzie się nasze wesele?Do you know when our wedding will take place?
- Zapraszamy na nasz ślub i wesele!We invite you to our wedding and celebration!
- Organizacja ślubu i wesela może być wymagająca.Planning a wedding and reception can be demanding.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Piotr and Agnieszka are discussing a friend's upcoming event.
- PiotrCzy zaprosiłeś już wszystkich na ślub?Have you already invited everyone to the wedding?
- AgnieszkaTak, lista gości jest już gotowa.Yes, the guest list is already ready.
- PiotrTo będzie naprawdę wspaniały ślub.It will be a truly wonderful wedding.
- AgnieszkaZgadzam się, nie mogę się doczekać!I agree, I can't wait!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wedding” translations and entries ślub, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
