noc

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night, nighttime, night, night shift, night event
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/ˈnɔt͡s/
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The ordinary word for nighttime also reaches nights counted as events or duties, and darker figurative periods of fear or oppression.
Practice using noc in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Organizatorzy zapowiedzieli noc filmową w kinie.
    The organizers announced a film night at the cinema.
  • Wracali do domu późną nocą.
    They returned home late at night.
  • Zimą noc zapada wcześnie.
    In winter, night falls early.
  • Mam dziś noc w szpitalu.
    I have the night shift at the hospital today.
  • Wspomnienia z tamtych lat opisywały noc strachu.
    Memories of those years described a night of fear.

Similar words

pora nocna
nocka
nocna zmiana
mrok
ciemność
nocka
nocny dyżur

Meanings

Nighttime darkness

noun
everyday
neutral
The dark part of the day between dusk and dawn, especially the hours usually associated with sleep, quiet, or poor light.

Examples

  • Zimą noc zapada wcześnie.
    In winter, night falls early.
  • W nocy nad miastem świecił księżyc.
    At night, the moon shone over the city.
  • Przez całą noc padał śnieg.
    Snow fell through the whole night.
  • Wracali do domu późną nocą.
    They returned home late at night.
  • Po bezsennej nocy trudno było się skupić.
    After a sleepless night, it was hard to focus.

Similar words

nocka
pora nocna

A night spent doing something

noun
work
informal
A single night treated as an occasion, a stretch of activity, or an informal night shift at work.

Examples

  • Mam dziś noc w szpitalu.
    I have the night shift at the hospital today.
  • Organizatorzy zapowiedzieli noc filmową w kinie.
    The organizers announced a film night at the cinema.
  • Spędziliśmy noc na rozmowach.
    We spent the night talking.
  • To była długa noc liczenia głosów.
    It was a long night of counting votes.
  • Podczas Nocy Muzeów galerie były otwarte do rana.
    During Museum Night, galleries stayed open until morning.

Similar words

nocka
nocna zmiana
nocny dyżur

A dark period

noun
figurative
literary
A dark, frightening, or hopeless period, especially in history or private life.

Examples

  • Po klęsce nadeszła noc okupacji.
    After the defeat came the night of occupation.
  • Wspomnienia z tamtych lat opisywały noc strachu.
    Memories of those years described a night of fear.
  • Dla rodziny zaczęła się długa noc niepewności.
    A long night of uncertainty began for the family.
  • Po tej nocy przyszła wreszcie nadzieja.
    After that night, hope finally came.
  • Pisarz nazwał kryzys nocą rozumu.
    The writer called the crisis a night of reason.

Similar words

mrok
ciemność

Etymology

Inherited from Old Polish noc, from Proto-Slavic *nòťь, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *nókʷts, the ancient word for night.

FAQ

What does noc mean?

Noc usually means night, the dark part of the day between dusk and dawn.

How do noc, w nocy, and nocą differ?

Noc is the dictionary form, w nocy means at night, and nocą means by night or during the night.

Can noc mean a work shift?

Yes. Informally, mam noc can mean having a night shift, especially in work contexts.

Is noc used figuratively?

Yes. It can describe a dark or oppressive period, as in noc okupacji.

What is the plural of noc?

The nominative plural is noce, and the genitive plural is nocy.

What is the opposite of noc?

The ordinary opposite is dzień, meaning day.

Where does noc come from?

Noc continues an old Slavic word from Proto-Slavic *nòťь, ultimately tied to Proto-Indo-European *nókʷts.

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