Polish · The Kurwa Machine
skurwysyn
skoor-VIH-sin · /skur.ˈvɨ.sɨn/
Son of a bitch — a hard, aimed insult with the kurwa root inside.
aimed at a person, will start something
Literally
"son of a whore"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
The kurwa root compounded into a weapon: s-kurwy-syn, "of-a-whore's-son." Aimed at a man it's fighting-words 4 — this is not the friendly texture of the comma-kurwa, it's an accusation with a target. You'll also hear it in grudging-admiration mode about a third party ("ten skurwysyn wygrał znowu" — the son of a bitch won again), which is safe only because the man isn't in the room. Diminutive "skurwiel" is just as hostile; "sukinsyn" (son of a female dog) is the marginally politer cousin.
Heard in the wild
Ten skurwysyn sprzedał nas przy pierwszej okazji.
That son of a bitch sold us out at the first opportunity.
Where it lands
Poland (universal)
Quick answers
- What does "skurwysyn" mean?
- In Polish, "skurwysyn" means "Son of a bitch — a hard, aimed insult with the kurwa root inside.". Literally it's "son of a whore". The kurwa root compounded into a weapon: s-kurwy-syn, "of-a-whore's-son." Aimed at a man it's fighting-words 4 — this is not the friendly texture of the comma-kurwa, it's an accusation with a target. You'll also hear it in grudging-admiration mode about a third party ("ten skurwysyn wygrał znowu" — the son of a bitch won again), which is safe only because the man isn't in the room. Diminutive "skurwiel" is just as hostile; "sukinsyn" (son of a female dog) is the marginally politer cousin.
- Is "skurwysyn" offensive?
- Yes — very. It rates 4/5 on the Punch-o-Meter (Fighting words). aimed at a person, will start something. Read the usage note before you even think about it.
- How do you pronounce "skurwysyn"?
- Say it "skoor-VIH-sin" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: skur.ˈvɨ.sɨn.
Related in Polish
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