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Polish i vs y: How to Pronounce bił and był

Learn Polish i vs y: hear and pronounce the difference in bił and był, practise with clear examples, and use a short drill in the Jak Polak trainer.

November 1, 2026 · 3 min

The sound i

A close vowel [i]. Keep it apart from y: bił is not był.

być / bić, myła / miła split on this sound.

Open the «i» card in Letters and sounds. Say Irena in the trainer.

Check your pronunciation in the trainer