Learn how to express temperature in Polish using correct forms of "stopień": stopni, stopnie, and stopni. Practice with examples like "jest 0 stopni," "są 3 stopnie," and "minus 5 stopni."
  1. We use three forms: “stopień”, “stopnie”, and “stopni”.
  2. We use the verb "is" with temperatures: 0˚, 1˚, 5˚, and higher.
  3. The verb "are" is used only with temperatures: 2˚, 3˚ and 4˚.
Liczba (˚C) (Number (˚C))Forma (Form)Przykład (Example)
0stopni (degrees)0 stopni (0 degrees)
2˚, 3˚, 4˚stopnie (degrees)3 stopnie (3 degrees)
5˚, (...), 21˚stopni (degrees)10 stopni (10 degrees)

22˚, 32˚, 42˚, (...)

23˚, 33˚, 43˚, (...)

24˚, 34˚, 44˚, (...)

stopnie (degrees)

42 stopnie (42 degrees)

23 stopnie (23 degrees)

34 stopnie (34 degrees)

...5˚, ...6˚, ...7˚, ...8˚,...9˚stopni (degrees)

28 stopni (28 degrees)

35 stopni (35 degrees)

Exceptions!

  1. Negative temperatures are expressed by adding the word “minus” before the number, e.g. minus 5 stopni.

Exercise 1: Formy używane przy wyrażaniu temperatury

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

stopni, stopnie, stopnień

1.
Dzisiaj jest 9 ....
(Today it is 9 degrees.)
2.
Dzisiaj są 3 ....
(Today it is 3 degrees.)
3.
Dzisiaj jest 1 ....
(Today it is 1 degree.)
4.
Dzisiaj są 33 ....
(Today it is 33 degrees.)
5.
Dzisiaj jest 27 ....
(Today it is 27 degrees.)
6.
Dzisiaj są 24 ....
(Today it is 24 degrees.)
7.
Dzisiaj jest 14 ....
(Today it is 14 degrees.)
8.
Dzisiaj jest 0 ....
(Today it is 0 degrees.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Dziś ___ 0 stopni na zewnątrz.

(Today it ___ 0 degrees outside.)

2. Za oknem ___ 3 stopnie.

(Outside the window ___ 3 degrees.)

3. Na zewnątrz ___ 5 stopni, więc zakładam kurtkę.

(It ___ 5 degrees outside, so I put on a jacket.)

4. Jutro będzie minus 7 ___.

(Tomorrow it will be minus 7 ___.)

5. Dzisiaj ___ 1 stopień ciepła, ale rano było zimno.

(Today ___ 1 degree of warmth, but in the morning it was cold.)

6. Wczoraj na plaży ___ 4 stopnie, więc woda była chłodna.

(Yesterday on the beach ___ 4 degrees, so the water was cool.)

Forms Used to Express Temperature in Polish

This lesson focuses on how to correctly use different forms of the noun „stopień” (degree) when expressing temperature in Polish. It is designed for A1 learners who are beginning to form simple sentences about weather and temperature.

Understanding the Forms of „stopień”

In Polish, the word „stopień” changes depending on the number it accompanies. There are three main forms to learn:

  • stopień – singular form used with the number 1;
  • stopnie – used with numbers ending in 2, 3, or 4 (except those ending in 12, 13, or 14);
  • stopni – used with 0, numbers ending in 5 through 9, and with numbers like 11, 12, 13, 14.

Examples of Usage

Here are some practical examples illustrating the correct forms:

  • 0 stopni
  • 3 stopnie
  • 10 stopni
  • 42 stopnie
  • 35 stopni

Using the Verbs „jest” and „są”

When describing temperature, the verb choice also depends on the number:

  • Use „jest” (is) with temperatures like 0˚, 1˚, and numbers from 5˚ upwards.
  • Use „są” (are) only with 2˚, 3˚, and 4˚.

Examples:

  • Dziś jest 0 stopni na zewnątrz.
  • Za oknem są 3 stopnie.
  • Na zewnątrz jest 5 stopni.

Expressing Negative Temperatures

For temperatures below zero, simply add the word „minus” before the number, for example: minus 5 stopni.

Notes on Differences and Useful Expressions

One key difference between English and Polish is that Polish uses different noun forms depending on the number, while English always uses the same word "degree" and changes the verb number accordingly: "It is 5 degrees" versus "They are 3 degrees" (though generally in English, "degree" is uncountable with temperature). In Polish, switching between stopień, stopnie, and stopni is essential for grammatical correctness.

Useful phrases:

  • temperatura wynosi – the temperature is (often used in formal announcements)
  • dziś jest ciepło/zimno – today it is warm/cold
  • minus pięć stopni – minus five degrees (negative temperature)

Written by

This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Joanna Majchrowska

Master of Spanish Philology

University of Lodz

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Poland


Last Updated:

Friday, 17/10/2025 18:40