Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kobieta | /kɔˈbjɛ.ta/ /kɔˈbje.ta/ (Middle, Polish) |
feminine |
| baba | /ˈba.ba/ /ˈba.ba/ (Middle, Polish) |
feminine, humorous, pejorative |
| niewiasta | /ɲɛˈvjas.ta/ | dated, feminine |
| białogłowa | /bja.wɔˈɡwɔ.va/ | archaic, feminine |
The primary and most common way to refer to an adult female person is kobieta.
Which one should you use?
While kobieta is the standard and neutral term, baba is a colloquial and often derogatory term. Other specialized forms include the dated niewiasta and the archaic białogłowa.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
kobieta is the standard and neutral form. In contrast, baba is a colloquial, humorous or derogatory term that can also sound childish. niewiasta is considered dated, and białogłowa is an archaic term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Poland, especially in the south, the word baba is used informally.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of kobieta is kobiety. When kobieta serves as the direct object of a sentence, it takes the form kobietę.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /kɔˈbjɛ.ta/.
Did you know?
- Some etymologists have suggested kobieta might be related to the Middle High German word kobe, meaning 'sty' or 'shed'.
Examples in context
- Ta kobieta jest naga.The woman is naked.This sentence shows how to use kobieta to describe a woman's state.Tatoeba #1776818 by MarekMazurkiewicz, translation #939780 by Valodnieks
- Kobieta śpi w sypialni.The woman sleeps in the bedroom.This sentence uses kobieta to describe a woman's location.Tatoeba #8758541 by Martka, translation #463004 by lukaszpp
- Szybko, kobieta się topi!Quick, a woman is drowning!This sentence uses kobieta to describe an emergency involving a woman.Tatoeba #12802399 by JimiYoru, translation #5790201 by Eccles17
- Dzień dobry, Pani Smith.Good day, Mrs. Smith.
- Ta kobieta jest moją najlepszą przyjaciółką.This woman is my best friend.
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Piotr and Katarzyna are looking at a photo of a colleague.
- PiotrKto jest na tym zdjęciu?Who is in this photo?
- KatarzynaTa kobieta to moja nowa szefowa.That woman is my new boss.
- PiotrWygląda na bardzo miłą osobę.She looks like a very nice person.
- KatarzynaTak, to naprawdę świetna kobieta.Yes, she is a truly great woman.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “woman” translations and entries kobieta, baba, niewiasta, białogłowa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baba, białogłowa, kobieta, niewiasta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
