Polish Slang: A Guide to Urban Polish Expressions

Pawel

Oct 19, 2025

Vocabulary Free

If you've ever tried learning Polish from a textbook, you might find yourself prepared for formal conversations but completely lost when young Poles start chatting casually. That's because Polish slang – known as "gwara" or "slang" – represents an entirely different layer of the language, one that's vibrant, creative, and constantly evolving.

Polish slang is more than just informal vocabulary; it's a window into the country's contemporary culture, humor, and social dynamics. From the streets of Warsaw to the cafés of Kraków, young Poles have developed their own linguistic code that reflects influences from English, Russian, German, and even internet culture. This urban language is shaped by music, social media, and the unique experiences of each generation.

Understanding Polish slang is essential for several reasons. First, it helps you connect authentically with Polish speakers, especially younger generations who seamlessly blend formal and informal language. Second, it's crucial for understanding Polish films, TV series, music, and social media content, where slang dominates the dialogue. Third, it demonstrates cultural awareness and genuine interest in Polish life beyond tourist interactions.

For language learners, Polish slang presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While textbooks focus on grammatical cases and formal vocabulary, mastering slang requires immersion, observation, and a willingness to sound a bit silly as you practice. But the reward is worth it: the ability to joke with Polish friends, understand pop culture references, and truly feel at home in Polish-speaking environments.

Here's your guide to 21 essential Polish slang phrases that will help you sound like a local and navigate the colorful world of contemporary Polish urban language.

Transportation & Vehicles

1. Fura / Bryka

Translation: Car (slang)
Usage: Very casual way to refer to a car, often implying it’s nice or impressive
Example: "Masz furę?" (You got a car?) / "Jedziemy jego bryką" (We’re going in his ride)

Social Connection & Getting Along

2. Zgrać się

Translation:
To coordinate or agree on a time (to meet up)
Usage:
Describes planning or syncing schedules
Example:
"Super się zgraliśmy z nowym kolegą" (We really clicked with the new guy)
"Jak się zgramy w poniedziałek?" (When can we meet up on Monday?)

Smoking & Excitement

3. Jarać

Translation: To smoke (usually weed or cigarettes)
Usage: Casual slang for smoking — context determines whether it’s tobacco or marijuana
Example: "Wychodzisz pojarać?" (Going out for a smoke?)
Note: Different from "jarać się" – that means “to be excited about something.”

5. Jarać się

Translation: To be excited or passionate about something
Usage: Common slang for enthusiasm
Example: "Jaram się tym projektem" (I’m really into this project)

6. Fajka

Translation: Cigarette
Usage: Casual slang for a cigarette (can also mean “pipe,” but that’s less common now)
Example: "Masz fajkę?" (Got a cig?)
Note: In some contexts “fajka” can also mean “blowjob” — be mindful of tone and company.

Reactions & Expressions

7. Masakra

Translation: Nightmare, disaster, total mess
Usage: Used to express shock or negativity — can also be used jokingly
Example: "Ten egzamin to była masakra" (That exam was a nightmare!) / "Masakra, co się stało!" (That’s crazy, what happened!)

8. Spoko

Translation: Cool, chill, fine, no problem
Usage: Universal approval or reassurance word
Example: "Spotkamy się o 18? – Spoko!" (Meet at 6? – Cool!) / "Wszystko spoko?" (Everything okay?)

People & Relationships

9. Laska

Translation: Girl, chick
Usage: Informal term for a woman or girlfriend
Example: "Poznałem fajną laskę" (I met a cool girl)

10. Facet

Translation: Guy, man
Usage: Common, informal term for a man (neutral, not slangy)
Example: "Ten facet jest w porządku" (That guy’s alright)

11. Baba

Translation: Woman (informal, sometimes pejorative)
Usage: Can sound disrespectful depending on tone
Example: "Stara baba" (Old hag / old lady — can be rude)

12. Badylarz

Translation: Originally slang for someone who owned greenhouses or grew flowers for profit (pejorative in communist times); sometimes used jokingly for a tall, lanky person
Usage: Rare today; historical or humorous
Example: "Za PRL-u badylarze mieli pieniądze" (During communist times, the greenhouse owners had money)

Money

13. Kapusta / Kasa / Siano

Translation: Money, cash
Usage: Common casual words for money
Example: "Nie mam kasy" (I’ve got no cash) / "Ile kapusty potrzebujesz?" (How much money do you need?)

Quality & Excellence

14. Wypas / Na wypasie

Translation: Awesome, luxurious, fancy, high-end
Usage: Describes something impressive or top quality
Example: "Masz furę na wypasie" (You’ve got a fancy car)

Drinking & Partying

15. Narąbany

Translation: Drunk, wasted
Usage: Casual, slightly humorous word for being very drunk
Example: "Był totalnie narąbany" (He was totally hammered)

16. Zajebisty

Translation: Fucking awesome, amazing (vulgar but very common)
Usage: Strong positive slang; use only in informal company
Example: "To był zajebisty koncert!" (That was a fucking great concert!)

17. Kac

Translation: Hangover
Usage: Universal Polish word for hangover
Example: "Mam strasznego kaca" (I’ve got a terrible hangover)

18. Kimono

Translation: To sleep, to go to sleep (a kimono, not in slang, is a traditional Japanese robe/dress worn for formal occasions) Usage: Humorous slang; "iść w kimono" means to go to bed or fall asleep
Example: "Idę w kimono" (I’m off to bed)

19. Browar

Translation: Beer (literally "brewery")
Usage: Common slang for beer
Example: "Idziemy na browara?" (Wanna grab a beer?)

Humor & Mistakes

20. Puścić pawia

Translation: To vomit, to throw up (literally “to release a peacock”)
Usage: Humorous, common slang
Example: "Puścił pawia po imprezie" (He puked after the party)

21. Jeleń

Translation: Sucker, fool
Usage: Someone who gets taken advantage of
Example: "Nie bądź jeleniem!" (Don’t be a sucker!)

22. Mieć bekę

Translation: To laugh a lot, to find something hilarious
Usage: Casual slang for having a laugh
Example: "Mieliśmy bekę z tego filmu" (We had a good laugh watching that movie)

Usage Tips & Cultural Context

Context Matters
Use slang with friends and peers, but stick to formal Polish with elders, in professional settings, or with people you've just met. Some expressions (especially vulgar ones like "zajebisty") should only be used in very casual settings.

Age Appropriateness
Some slang is specifically youth-oriented and might sound odd coming from older speakers. Pay attention to who uses what expressions.

Vulgar Language
Polish has strong vulgar expressions that are commonly used in casual conversation. However, as a learner, be cautious about when and where you use them. Words like "zajebisty" are common among friends but inappropriate in many contexts.

Gender Considerations
Terms like "laska" and "baba" can be sensitive. While "laska" is generally more acceptable, "baba" can be offensive depending on context and tone.

Keep Learning
Polish slang evolves rapidly, especially with internet culture and English influences. Watch Polish films, series, and YouTube content to hear slang in context. Follow Polish social media to see how young people communicate online.

Conclusion

Learning Polish slang opens doors to authentic connections with Polish speakers and gives you insight into contemporary Polish culture. While textbooks teach you proper grammar and formal expressions, slang helps you understand the humor, warmth, and creativity of everyday Polish communication.

Start with a few phrases, listen to how natives use them, and gradually build your informal vocabulary. Remember: when in doubt about whether to use slang, it's better to start formally and let Polish speakers invite you into more casual language. With practice and observation, you'll soon be chatting like a local and truly experiencing Polish culture from the inside!