Learning a new language is a fascinating journey, and part of that adventure is diving into the world of slang. Slang terms offer a glimpse into the culture, humor, and creativity of a language’s speakers. For those learning Polish, understanding contemporary slang can be particularly rewarding. Polish Gen Z slang, in particular, is vibrant and constantly evolving. To help you navigate this dynamic aspect of the language, weโve compiled a list of the top 10 Polish Gen Z slang terms you need to know.
1. Sztos
One of the most popular terms among Polish Gen Z is sztos. This word is used to describe something extremely good or impressive. Whether it’s a movie, a party, or even someone’s outfit, if it’s top-notch, it’s a sztos. The term can be loosely translated to “awesome” or “the best” in English.
Example:
– “Ten film byล sztos!”
– Translation: “That movie was awesome!”
2. Bekowy
If something is funny or laughable, it’s bekowy. Derived from the word beka, which means laughter, bekowy is used to describe anything that makes you laugh. It’s akin to calling something “hilarious” in English.
Example:
– “Ten mem jest naprawdฤ bekowy.”
– Translation: “This meme is really hilarious.”
3. Czaicie?
This term is a casual way of asking if someone understands or gets what you mean. Czaicie is derived from the verb czaiฤ, which means to grasp or comprehend. It’s similar to saying “You get it?” in English.
Example:
– “Wczoraj byลo tak ลmiesznie, czaicie?”
– Translation: “Yesterday was so funny, you get it?”
4. Zajebiลcie
When something is exceptionally good or cool, you might hear a Polish Gen Z say it’s zajebiลcie. This term is quite strong and can be translated as “f***ing awesome” in English. Use it with caution, as it is considered very informal and can be seen as vulgar in more formal settings.
Example:
– “Ta impreza byลa zajebiลcie!”
– Translation: “That party was f***ing awesome!”
5. Ogarniasz?
Ogarniasz is another term used to ask if someone understands or if they are on top of things. It comes from the verb ogarniaฤ, which means to manage or grasp. It’s similar to saying “Are you on top of it?” in English.
Example:
– “Musisz ogarniaฤ swoje obowiฤ
zki.”
– Translation: “You need to manage your responsibilities.”
6. Sztama
When you have a close bond or a strong friendship with someone, you can say you have sztama. This term is used to describe a pact or a strong sense of camaraderie. It’s akin to saying “we’re tight” or “we have a pact” in English.
Example:
– “Z Piotrem mamy sztama od lat.”
– Translation: “Piotr and I have been tight for years.”
7. Masakra
Masakra is a versatile term that can be used to describe something overwhelming, shocking, or disastrous. Depending on the context, it can have either a negative or positive connotation. It’s similar to saying “a massacre” or “crazy” in English.
Example:
– “To, co siฤ wczoraj staลo, to byลa masakra.”
– Translation: “What happened yesterday was crazy.”
8. Wkrฤcaฤ
If you’re pulling someone’s leg or joking around, you’re wkrฤcaฤ them. This term is used to describe the act of fooling or teasing someone. It’s similar to saying “to prank” or “to mess with” in English.
Example:
– “Nie wkrฤcaj mnie, wiem, ลผe to ลผart.”
– Translation: “Don’t mess with me, I know it’s a joke.”
9. Siema
A casual and friendly way to say hello is siema. This term is a contraction of “Jak siฤ masz?” which means “How are you?” It’s commonly used among friends and peers and is similar to saying “Hey” or “What’s up?” in English.
Example:
– “Siema, co tam u ciebie?”
– Translation: “Hey, what’s up with you?”
10. Niezลa akcja
When something interesting or noteworthy happens, you might hear someone say niezลa akcja. This term translates to “nice action” and is used to comment on an event or situation that was impressive or noteworthy. It’s similar to saying “nice move” or “cool event” in English.
Example:
– “To byลa niezลa akcja, jak zลapaลeล tego zลodzieja.”
– Translation: “That was a nice move, catching that thief.”
Conclusion
Understanding slang is an essential part of mastering any language, as it provides insight into the culture and social dynamics of its speakers. Polish Gen Z slang is colorful, expressive, and constantly evolving, reflecting the creativity and vibrancy of the younger generation. By incorporating these top 10 slang terms into your vocabulary, you’ll not only enhance your language skills but also connect more deeply with Polish speakers. So, go ahead and try using these terms in your conversations, and you’ll be speaking like a native in no time!
