wilk
/ˈvilk/animate, masculine
The English word "wolf" is translated into Polish as wilk. Wiktionary also lists basior and wadera.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| wilk | /ˈvilk/ /ˈvilk/ (Middle, Polish) |
animate, masculine |
| basior | /ˈba.ɕɔr/ | animate, masculine |
| wadera | /vaˈdɛ.ra/ | feminine |
The term refers to the animal. Related verbs such as pożreć or pochłonąć can be used to describe the act of devouring.
Which one should you use?
The standard masculine form is wilk, but you may also encounter the masculine form basior or the feminine form wadera.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form wilk is animate. When the wolf is the direct object of a verb, such as in the sentence "I saw a wolf", the form changes to wilka in the accusative case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈvilk/
Did you know?
- In Polish folklore and idioms, the wilk is often depicted as a cunning trickster, similar to the fox, rather than just a predator.
- One theory suggests that basior comes from a dialectal word for 'stomach', potentially referring to the animal's appetite.
- The term wadera for a female wolf is actually a loanword from Belarusian, rather than being a native Polish term.
Examples in context
- Wilk porwał dwie kury.The wolf snatched two hens.This sentence is useful for showing how to use wilk as a subject.Tatoeba #6534369 by arie, translation #6379253 by RudeGuyGames
- Spotkałem wilka we śnie.I met a wolf in a dream.This sentence shows the use of the form wilka as a direct object.Tatoeba #5926064 by jeedrek, translation #750227 by sctld
- Nie da się okiełznać wilka.A wolf cannot be tamed.This sentence demonstrates the use of wilk in a sentence about taming an animal.Tatoeba #3713576 by jeedrek, translation #950257 by spockofvulcan
- Opuszczony las jest domem dla wilków.The abandoned forest is home to wolves.
- W niektórych mitologiach wilkołaki zamieniają się w wilki podczas pełni księżyca.In some mythologies, werewolves transform into wolves during a full moon.
- Na Mazowszu często można spotkać wilczka.In Mazovia, you can often encounter a little wolf.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Tomasz are looking at a nature documentary on TV.
- AnnaZobacz, jaki piękny wilk!Look, what a beautiful wolf!
- TomaszTak, ten wilk wygląda imponująco.Yes, that wolf looks impressive.
- AnnaCzy on jest głodny?Is he hungry?
- TomaszPewnie tak, to dziki wilk.Probably, it is a wild wolf.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wolf” translations and entries wilk, basior, wadera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries basior, wadera, wilk, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
