A nie mówiłem!

Literally "And didn't I say so!" The Polish equivalent of "I told you so!" — used when something you predicted has come …

A świstak siedzi i zawija je w te sreberka

Literally "and the marmot sits there and wraps them in those silver foils." A sarcastic response to an obviously false …

Albo rybka, albo pipka

Literally "either a fish, or a pipka (a small, worthless thing)." Means it's all or nothing — you either commit fully or …

Alfa i omega

Literally "alpha and omega" — the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Means the beginning and the end, or …

Amerykański sen

Literally "the American dream." Refers to the belief that anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work — …

Angielska flegma

Literally "English phlegm." Refers to the stereotypical British quality of remaining calm, composed, and unemotional in …

Ani be, ani me

Literally "not a baa, not a moo." Means not a single word — complete silence or speechlessness. Used when someone says …

Ani be, ani me, ani kukuryki

Literally "Not baa, not moo, not cock-a-doodle-doo." Means someone said absolutely nothing — not a single word. Used …

Ani chybi

Literally "without missing." Means certainly, without fail, definitely — used to express that something will happen or …

Ani mru-mru

Literally "not a mru-mru" — an invented sound suggesting a murmur or whisper. Means not a peep, not a word — keep it …

Ani widu, ani słychu

Literally "neither sight nor sound." Means someone or something has completely vanished — no trace, no news, nothing. …

Apetyt rośnie w miarę jedzenia

Literally "Appetite grows with eating." Means that the more you have, the more you want — desire increases as it is …

As atutowy

Literally "the trump ace." Means the strongest card you have — a decisive advantage or resource held in reserve for the …

As w rękawie

Literally "an ace up one's sleeve." A secret advantage or plan kept hidden until the critical moment — the same image as …

Aż do bólu

Literally "to the point of pain." An intensifier meaning painfully, excessively, or to an extreme degree. Can be used …

Aż dziw bierze

Literally "it even takes wonder" — wonder seizes you. Means it's astonishing, it's hard to believe, you can't help but …

Aż nadto

Literally "even too much." Means "more than enough" or "abundantly" — used to emphasize that something is present in …

Baba swoje, chłop swoje

Literally "The woman her thing, the man his thing." Describes a situation where two people each stubbornly stick to …

Baba z wozu, koniom lżej

Literally "woman off the cart, easier for the horses." Means good riddance — when someone unwanted leaves, things …

Babie lato

Literally "women's summer" or "old wives' summer." Refers to a warm, sunny spell in early autumn — the Polish equivalent …

Bać się jak diabeł święconej wody

Literally "to fear something like the devil fears holy water." Means to be terrified of something and avoid it at all …

Bać się o własną dupę

Literally "to fear for one's own ass." Means to act purely out of self-interest or self-preservation — looking out for …

Badać grunt

Literally "to test the ground." Means to sound someone out, to cautiously probe a situation before committing — to see …

Bajka o żelaznym wilku

Literally "a fairy tale about an iron wolf." Means a completely made-up story, a tall tale, or nonsense — something …

Bajka z mchu i paproci

Literally "a fairy tale of moss and fern." Describes something charmingly old-fashioned, rustic, or quaintly naive — a …

Bajka z tysiąca i jednej nocy

Literally "a tale from a thousand and one nights." Used to describe something that seems impossibly wonderful, …

Bajońskie sumy

Literally "Bayonne sums." Means an astronomically large amount of money — an outrageous, almost unimaginable sum.

Baju, baju, będziesz w raju

Literally "baju, baju, you'll be in paradise." A lullaby-like phrase used to soothe a child — or sarcastically, to mock …

Balon próbny

Literally "a trial balloon." Means a tentative idea or proposal floated to test public or group reaction before …

Bawić się jak kot z myszą

Literally "to play like a cat with a mouse." Describes toying with someone — deliberately prolonging their suffering or …

Bawić się jak kot z myszką

Literally "to play like a cat with a little mouse." Describes someone who toys with another person — teasing, …

Bawić się w ciuciubabkę

Literally "to play blind man's buff." Means to play games with someone — to be evasive, to avoid giving a straight …

Bawić się w kotka i myszkę

Literally "to play cat and mouse." Describes a prolonged game of pursuit and evasion between two parties — each trying …

Bądź co bądź

Literally "be what it may." Means after all, all things considered, or at any rate — used to acknowledge a concession …

Bądź tu mądry

Literally "just try to be smart here." An expression of exasperation when a situation is so confusing, contradictory, or …

Bądź tu mądry i pisz wiersze

Literally "go ahead and be clever and write poetry." A resigned, ironic expression used when a situation is so absurd or …

Beczka bez dna

Literally "a barrel without a bottom." Describes something — or someone — that consumes resources endlessly without ever …

Beczka prochu

Literally "a barrel of gunpowder." Used to describe a situation, place, or person that is extremely volatile and could …

Bez cienia wątpliwości

Literally "without a shadow of a doubt." Used to express complete certainty — there is absolutely no question about …

Bez dwóch zdań

Literally "without two opinions." Means without a doubt, unquestionably — there's no room for disagreement.

Bez grosza przy duszy

Literally "without a penny to one's soul." Means completely broke — not a single coin to one's name.

Bez jaj

Literally "without eggs." A colloquial expression meaning "seriously," "no kidding," or "cut the nonsense." Used to …

Bez kitu

Literally "without putty/filler." Means straight up, no nonsense, honestly — used to signal that what follows is the …

Bez ładu i składu

Literally "without order and composition." Means in complete disorder, without any logic or structure — chaotically, …

Bez mrugnięcia okiem

Literally "without a blink of an eye." Means without hesitation, without flinching — doing something calmly and unfazed, …

Bez ogródek

Literally "without little gardens." Means bluntly, without mincing words — saying exactly what you think with no …

Bez owijania w bawełnę

Literally "without wrapping in cotton wool." Means without beating around the bush — getting straight to the point …

Bez pamięci

Literally "without memory." Used as an intensifier meaning madly, desperately, or to an extreme degree — so much that …

Bez pracy nie ma kołaczy

Literally "without work, there are no cakes." The Polish equivalent of "no pain, no gain" or "there's no such thing as a …

Bez przerwy

Literally "without a break." Means non-stop, continuously, without interruption. One of the most common everyday phrases …

Bez przesady

Literally "without exaggeration." Used to tell someone to calm down, not overdo it, or to express that something is …

Bez reszty

Literally "without remainder." Means completely, entirely, wholly — giving or devoting everything with nothing left …

Bez różnicy

Literally "without difference." Means "it makes no difference," "it doesn't matter," or "same to me." A very casual, …

Bez sensu

Literally "without sense." Means nonsensical, pointless, or absurd — used to dismiss something as having no logic or …

Bez serca

Literally "without a heart." Means heartless, cold, or cruel — lacking compassion or empathy.

Bez szwanku

Literally "without damage." Means unscathed, unharmed — coming through a dangerous or difficult situation without injury …

Bez trzymanki

Literally "without holding on." Means wild, unrestrained, or over the top — something so extreme or absurd that you …

Bez ustanku

Literally "without stopping." Means continuously, incessantly, without pause — going on and on without a break.

Bez wątpienia

Literally "without doubt." Means "undoubtedly" or "without question." Used to assert something with full confidence.

Bez wyjątku

Literally "without exception." Means every single one, no exceptions — used to emphasize that a rule or statement …

Bez względu na

Literally "without regard to." Means "regardless of" or "irrespective of." A very common phrase in both spoken and …

Bez zarzutu

Literally "without reproach." Means impeccably, flawlessly, beyond criticism — used to describe something done perfectly …

Bez zastanowienia

Literally "without thinking." Means without hesitation, instantly, on impulse — acting before pausing to consider.

Bez zwłoki

Literally "without delay." Means immediately, without wasting any time — a formal or emphatic way of saying "right …

Biała gorączka

Literally "white fever." Means a blind rage — a state of fury so intense that everything goes white. Used to describe …

Biała kawa

Literally "white coffee." Refers to coffee with milk — what English speakers would call a white coffee or café au lait. …

Biała śmierć

Literally "white death." A dramatic term for sugar — referring to its alleged health dangers. Also used historically for …

Bicie piany

Literally "beating foam." Means empty talk, hot air — saying a lot without any substance or result. Used when someone …

Bicz boży

Literally "the scourge of God." Refers to a person or force that brings devastating punishment — historically applied to …

Bić brawo

Literally "to beat bravo." Means to applaud — to clap one's hands in appreciation or approval.

Bić na alarm

Literally "to beat the alarm." Means to raise the alarm, to sound a warning — to urgently draw attention to a danger or …

Bić na głowę

Literally "to beat on the head." Means to outdo someone completely, to beat them hands down — to be far superior in some …

Bić pianę

Literally "to beat foam." Means to talk at length without saying anything of substance — to bluster, blather, or produce …

Bić rekordy

Literally "to beat records." Means to break records — used both literally in sports and figuratively for anything that …

Bić się w piersi

Literally "to beat oneself on the chest." Means to express remorse, to publicly admit guilt or fault — to beat one's …

Bić się z gównem

Literally "to fight with shit." Means to waste your energy struggling with something worthless or beneath you — to deal …

Bić się z myślami

Literally "to fight with one's thoughts." Means to wrestle with a decision, to be torn — unable to make up your mind …

Bić własną bronią

Literally "to beat with one's own weapon." Means to defeat someone using their own arguments, methods, or tactics …

Biedny jak mysz kościelna

Literally "poor as a church mouse." Means extremely poor — the Polish equivalent of the English "poor as a church …

Bliski sercu

Literally "close to the heart." Describes something or someone that is dear, meaningful, or emotionally important to …

Błąd w sztuce

Literally "an error in the craft." Refers to a professional mistake — a failure to meet the expected standard of one's …

Błądzić jest rzeczą ludzką

Literally "to err is a human thing." The Polish equivalent of "to err is human" — acknowledging that making mistakes is …

Błędne koło

Literally "a vicious circle." Describes a situation where one problem causes another, which in turn causes the first — a …

Błędny rycerz

Literally "errant knight." Refers to a knight-errant — someone who wanders in search of adventure and wrongs to right. …

Błękitna krew

Literally "blue blood." Refers to noble or aristocratic lineage — the same expression as in English. Someone of …

Błogosławionej pamięci

Literally "of blessed memory." A respectful phrase used after mentioning someone who has died — the Polish equivalent of …

Bogaty jak Krezus

Literally "rich as Croesus." Means fabulously wealthy — the Polish equivalent of "rich as Croesus," referring to the …

Bogiem a prawdą

Literally "by God and truth." An emphatic phrase meaning honestly, truthfully, in all sincerity — used to introduce a …

Bogu dzięki

Literally "thanks be to God." Means thank goodness, thank God — an expression of relief that something turned out well …

Boso, ale w ostrogach

Literally "barefoot, but with spurs." Describes someone who is poor but puts on airs — maintaining the appearance of …

Boże uchowaj

Literally "God preserve us." An exclamation of horror, strong disapproval, or alarm — "God forbid!" or "heaven forbid!"

Bóg jeden raczy wiedzieć

Literally "God alone deigns to know." Means only God knows — used when something is completely unknown or unknowable, …

Bóg mi świadkiem

Literally "God is my witness." A solemn declaration of sincerity — invoking God to confirm that what you are saying is …

Bóg pomaga tym, co sami sobie pomagają

Literally "God helps those who help themselves." The Polish version of the universal proverb — you can't just wait for …

Bóg raczy wiedzieć

Literally "God deigns to know." Means God only knows — used when something is completely unclear or beyond anyone's …

Bóg zapłać

Literally "may God repay you." A traditional expression of gratitude — used in place of "thank you," especially for a …

Brać do serca

Literally "to take to heart." Means to take something personally, to be deeply affected by criticism or bad news — to …

Brać do siebie

Literally "to take to oneself." Means to take something personally — to feel that a remark or criticism is directed at …

Brać górę

Literally "to take the top / the high ground." Means to gain the upper hand, to prevail, to start winning — when one …

Brać na ambicję

Literally "to take on ambition." Means to take something as a personal challenge — to let your pride be stung into …

Brać na ambicję

Literally "to take on ambition." Means to treat something as a personal challenge — to feel compelled to succeed at …

Brać na bajer

Literally "to take someone on a bajer." Means to sweet-talk, to charm, or to con someone with smooth words — to pull the …

Brać na barki

Literally "to take on one's shoulders." Means to take on a burden, responsibility, or task — to shoulder something.

Brać na dywanik

Literally "to take someone onto the carpet." Means to call someone on the carpet — to summon them for a reprimand or …

Brać na siebie

Literally "to take onto oneself." Means to take on responsibility, blame, or a burden — to assume something voluntarily. …

Brać na spytki

Literally "to take someone to questioning." Means to interrogate, to grill someone with questions — to subject them to a …

Brać na widelec

Literally "to take someone on a fork." Means to put someone on the spot, to scrutinize them closely, or to target them …

Brać na wstrzymanie

Literally "to take on hold." Means to hold off, to wait and see — to pause before acting or deciding, keeping options …

Brać nogi za pas

Literally "to take one's legs for a belt." Means to run away fast, to flee — to get out of somewhere as quickly as …

Brać odpowiedzialność

Literally "to take responsibility." A direct, practical phrase used when someone accepts accountability for an action or …

Brać pod bajer

Literally "to take under the bajer." Means to sweet-talk someone, to charm or manipulate them with smooth words — to …

Brać pod uwagę

Literally "to take under consideration." Means to consider, take into account, or factor something in when making a …

Brać pod włos

Literally "to take against the grain of the hair." Means to rub someone the wrong way — to irritate or provoke someone, …

Brać przykład

Literally "to take an example." Means to follow someone's example, to model your behavior on someone else. Used with 'z …

Brać się w garść

Literally "to take oneself in one's fist." Means to pull yourself together, get a grip, and stop wallowing — to summon …

Brać się za bary

Literally "to take each other by the shoulders." Means to grapple with something difficult — to tackle a tough problem …

Brać sprawy w swoje ręce

Literally "to take matters into one's own hands." Means to stop waiting for others and act independently to resolve a …

Brać ślub

Literally "to take a wedding vow." The standard Polish expression for getting married — used for both civil and …

Brać udział

Literally "to take part." Means to participate in something. One of the most essential and frequently used phrases in …

Brać z kosmosu

Literally "to take from outer space." Modern slang meaning to make up a number or fact out of thin air — to pull a …

Brać z sufitu

Literally "to take from the ceiling." Means to make up numbers, facts, or information out of thin air — to invent …

Brać za dobrą monetę

Literally "to take for good coin." Means to take something at face value — to believe something naively without …

Brać za pewnik

Literally "to take as a certainty." Means to take something for granted — to assume something is true or guaranteed …

Brak wiadomości to dobra wiadomość

Literally "no news is good news." The Polish equivalent of the English saying — if you haven't heard anything bad, …

Brakować piątej klepki

Literally "to be missing the fifth stave." Means to have a screw loose — to be a bit crazy, not quite right in the head. …

Bramka samobójcza

Literally "suicide goal." An own goal in football — scoring into your own net. Used figuratively for any action that …

Bratnia dusza

Literally "a brotherly soul." Means a kindred spirit — someone who shares your values, feelings, or outlook on life, …

Bredzić jak Piekarski na mękach

Literally "to rave like Piekarski under torture." Means to talk complete nonsense, to babble incoherently. Used when …

Broń Boże

Literally "God forbid." An exclamation used to strongly reject a suggestion or ward off an undesirable outcome — …

Brudna robota

Literally "dirty work." Refers to unpleasant, morally questionable, or degrading tasks — the kind of work nobody wants …

Brudzić sobie ręce

Literally "to dirty one's own hands." Means to get involved in something morally questionable or unpleasant — to …

Brzydki jak noc listopadowa

Literally "ugly as a November night." A vivid simile for someone or something extremely unattractive. November in Poland …

Brzydkie kaczątko

Literally "the ugly duckling." Refers to someone who is overlooked or underestimated but later turns out to be …

Budować zamki na lodzie

Literally "to build castles on ice." Means to make plans based on unstable foundations — to daydream or build …

Budzić się z ręką w nocniku

Literally "to wake up with one's hand in the chamber pot." Means to suddenly realize you've made a terrible mistake or …

Bujać w obłokach

Literally "to float among the clouds." Means to daydream, to have one's head in the clouds — to be lost in fantasy …

Bujda na resorach

Literally "a tall tale on springs." Means a complete fabrication, a far-fetched lie — a whopper. The "springs" suggest …

Bułka z masłem

Literally "a bread roll with butter." Used to describe something very easy — the Polish equivalent of "a piece of cake" …

Burdel na kółkach

Literally "a brothel on wheels." Means total chaos, a complete mess — a situation or place in utter disorder. Used …

Burza mózgów

Literally "a storm of brains." The Polish equivalent of "brainstorming" — a group session for generating ideas freely …

Burza w szklance wody

Literally "a storm in a glass of water." Means a huge fuss over something trivial — the Polish equivalent of "a storm in …

Być bardziej papieski od papieża

Literally "to be more papal than the Pope." Describes someone who is more zealous about a cause than the very authority …

Być jedną nogą na tamtym świecie

Literally "to be with one foot in the other world." Means to have one foot in the grave — to be very old, seriously ill, …

Być jedną nogą w grobie

Literally "to be one foot in the grave." Means to be very old, seriously ill, or close to death. Also used …

Być kwita

Means to be even, to be quits — neither side owes the other anything. Used after settling a debt, favor, or dispute.

Być może

Literally "to be possible." Means "maybe" or "perhaps" — one of the most common ways to express uncertainty or …

Być na rękę

Literally "to be to the hand." Means to be convenient, to suit someone, to work in someone's favor. Example: "To mi jest …

Być na widelcu

Literally "to be on the fork." Means to be in someone's crosshairs — to be targeted, watched closely, or under pressure …

Być nie w sosie

Literally "to not be in the sauce." Means to be in a bad mood, feeling down, or off your game. Example: "Co ty taki nie …

Być od rana na nogach

Literally "to be on one's feet since morning." Means to have been up and active since early morning — busy all day …

Być solą w oku

Literally "to be salt in the eye." Means to be a constant irritant or thorn in someone's side — someone whose very …

Być sto lat za Murzynami

Literally "to be a hundred years behind the Blacks." Means to be hopelessly behind the times — outdated, backward, …

Być świętszym od papieża

Literally "to be holier than the Pope." Describes someone who is excessively pious, self-righteous, or moralistic — more …

Być w błędzie

Literally "to be in error." Means to be wrong, to be mistaken. A straightforward and very common phrase.

Być w czarnej dupie

Literally "to be in a black ass." Means to be in serious trouble, in a very bad situation with no easy way out. The …

Być w dupie

Literally "to be in the ass." Vulgar but extremely common expression meaning to be in a terrible situation, in deep …

Być w Rzymie i papieża nie widzieć

Literally "to be in Rome and not see the Pope." Means to miss the most obvious or important thing when you're right …

Być w swoim żywiole

Literally "to be in one's element." Means to be in a situation where you feel completely at home and at your best — …

Być za pan brat

Literally "to be on 'pan brat' terms." Means to be on very familiar, friendly terms with someone — to be thick as …

Byle jaki / byle jak

"Byle jaki" means shoddy, mediocre, of poor quality — done carelessly or without effort. "Byle jak" means in a slapdash …

Byle zbyć

Literally "just to get rid of (it/them)." Means to do something in the most minimal way possible just to be done with it …

Było, minęło

Literally "it was, it passed." Means what's done is done — the past is over and there's no point dwelling on it.

Bystry jak woda w klozecie

Literally "sharp as toilet water." A sarcastic simile meaning the opposite of what it says — used ironically to call …

Cała nadzieja

Literally "all hope." Used as a standalone phrase meaning "the only hope lies in…" — expressing that one last option …

Cała naprzód

A nautical command meaning "full speed ahead." Used figuratively to mean going all out, pushing forward with full force …

Cała para idzie w gwizdek

Literally "all the steam goes into the whistle." Means that all effort, energy, or resources are wasted on something …

Cała para poszła w gwizdek

Literally "all the steam went into the whistle." Means all the effort or energy was wasted on something trivial — a lot …

Cała przyjemność po mojej stronie

Literally "all the pleasure is on my side." The Polish equivalent of "the pleasure is all mine" — a polite response when …

Cała sztuka w tym

Literally "the whole art is in this." Means "that's the whole trick" or "that's the key to it" — pointing to the crucial …

Cała wstecz

A nautical command meaning "full reverse." Used figuratively to mean backing out completely, reversing course, or doing …

Całe szczęście

Literally "whole luck." Means "thank goodness" or "luckily" — expressing relief that something bad was avoided or …

Całe życie stanęło przed oczami

Literally "one's whole life stood before one's eyes." Describes the experience of seeing your entire life flash before …

Całe życie stanęło przed oczami

Literally "one's whole life stood before one's eyes." Describes the experience of your entire life flashing before your …

Całkiem, całkiem

Literally "quite, quite." Used to express mild approval or pleasant surprise — "not bad at all," "pretty good actually." …

Całować klamkę

Literally "to kiss the door handle." Means to arrive somewhere and find nobody home — to make a wasted trip. Also …

Całuj psa w nos

Literally "go kiss a dog on the nose." A dismissive, rude brush-off — the equivalent of "get lost" or "go fly a kite." …

Cały Boży dzień

Literally "the whole God-given day." Means all day long — emphasizing the entire duration of the day, often with a sense …

Cały czas

Literally "the whole time." Means "all the time," "constantly," or "the entire time." One of the most frequently used …

Cały i zdrowy

Literally "whole and healthy." Means safe and sound — used to express relief that someone came through an ordeal without …

Cały w skowronkach

Literally "all in larks." Means to be overjoyed, elated, on cloud nine — bursting with happiness like a lark singing in …

Całym pędem

Literally "at full speed." Means as fast as possible — at full tilt, flat out.

Cel uświęca środki

Literally "the end sanctifies the means." The Polish equivalent of "the end justifies the means" — the idea that any …

Chadzać własnymi drogami

Literally "to walk one's own paths." Means to do things your own way, to be independent and not follow the crowd.

Chapeau bas

From French: literally "hat off." Used in Polish as an exclamation of admiration — hats off, well done, I take my hat …

Chcąc nie chcąc

Literally "wanting not wanting." Means whether you like it or not, willingly or unwillingly — you have to do something …

Chcesz stracić przyjaciela, pożycz mu pieniądze

Literally "if you want to lose a friend, lend him money." A wry proverb warning that mixing friendship and money is a …

Chciałaby dusza do raju, ale grzechy nie dają

Literally "the soul would like to go to heaven, but sins won't allow it." Means you'd love to do something but your past …

Chciałaby dusza do raju, ale grzechy nie dają

Literally "the soul would like to go to heaven, but sins won't allow it." Used when someone wants something but their …

Chciałoby się rzec

Literally "one would like to say." A slightly formal or literary phrase used to introduce a remark — "one might say," …

Chcieć to móc

Literally "to want is to be able." Means where there's a will, there's a way — if you truly want something, you'll find …

Chleb powszedni

Literally "daily bread." Means something that is routine, everyday, ordinary — part of the daily grind. Also used to …

Chłop jak dąb

Literally "a man like an oak." Describes a big, strong, sturdy man — built like a tree.

Chłopak na posyłki

Literally "a boy for errands." Means an errand boy — someone used for minor tasks and odd jobs, not taken seriously or …

Chłopiec na posyłki

Literally "a boy for errands." Means an errand boy — someone used to do menial tasks and fetch things for others. Used …

Chłopski rozum

Literally "peasant wisdom." Means plain common sense — practical, no-nonsense reasoning unclouded by theory or …

Chochlik drukarski

Literally "the printer's imp." A mischievous little sprite blamed for typos and printing errors — the Polish equivalent …

Choć oko wykol

Literally "you could gouge out an eye." Describes total, impenetrable darkness — so dark you can't see your hand in …

Choćby nie wiem co

Literally "even if you don't know what." Means no matter what, whatever happens, come what may — used to express …

Choćby się waliło i paliło

Literally "even if everything were crashing and burning." Means no matter what chaos or disaster is happening — come …

Choćby się waliło i paliło

Literally "even if it were crumbling and burning." Means come hell or high water — no matter what happens, regardless of …

Chodzić jak błędna owca

Literally "to walk like a lost sheep." Means to wander aimlessly, confused and without direction — like a sheep that has …

Chodzić jak na sznurku

Literally "to walk as if on a string." Means to be completely under someone's control — to do exactly what you're told, …

Chodzić jak struty

Literally "to walk as if poisoned." Means to mope around listlessly, looking miserable and dejected — dragging yourself …

Chodzić kanałami

Literally "to go through the sewers / channels." Means to use unofficial back channels, informal connections, or shady …

Chodzić na palcach

Literally "to walk on tiptoe." Means to tread carefully around someone — to be overly cautious or deferential, walking …

Chodzić na paluszkach

Literally "to walk on little tiptoes." Means to tiptoe around someone — to be very careful not to upset or provoke them, …

Chodzić od drzwi do drzwi

Literally "to go from door to door." Means to canvass, to go door-to-door — whether selling, begging, campaigning, or …

Chodzić po głowie

Literally "to walk around in one's head." Means that a thought, idea, or tune keeps going around in your mind — it won't …

Chodzić spać z kurami

Literally "to go to sleep with the hens." Means to go to bed very early — at dusk, when chickens roost for the night.

Chodzić z kapeluszem

Literally "to walk around with a hat." Means to go around asking for money or favors — to beg, to solicit donations, to …

Cholera bierze

Literally "cholera takes (it/you)." A mild expletive expressing frustration, anger, or surprise — "damn it," "hell," …

Cholera wie

Literally "cholera knows." Means "who knows" or "the devil knows" — used to express complete ignorance or uncertainty …

Chować ambicję do kieszeni

Literally "to hide one's ambition in one's pocket." Means to swallow your pride, to suppress your ego — to accept a …

Chować dumę do kieszeni

Literally "to put one's pride in one's pocket." Means to swallow your pride — to set aside your ego and do something …

Chować głowę w piasek

Literally "to hide one's head in the sand." Means to ignore a problem and pretend it doesn't exist — the equivalent of …

Chrystusowy wiek

Literally "Christ's age." Refers to the age of 33 — the age at which Jesus Christ was crucified. Used to mark this …

Chudy jak patyk

Literally "thin as a stick." Describes someone extremely skinny — skin and bones. The variant "chudy jak szczapa" (thin …

Chudy jak szczapa

Literally "thin as a wood chip." Describes someone who is extremely skinny — as thin and flat as a splinter of wood.

Chwała Bogu

Literally "glory to God." Used as an exclamation meaning "thank God," "thank goodness," or "praise the Lord" — …

Chwila moment

Literally "a moment, a moment." A quintessentially Polish expression meaning "just a second" or "one moment please." The …

Chwila prawdy

Literally "moment of truth." The decisive moment when reality is revealed — when you face the consequences, when the …

Chwycić Pana Boga za nogi

Literally "to grab God by the legs." Means to have incredible luck — to be blessed with extraordinary good fortune, as …

Chwytać Pana Boga za nogi

Literally "to grab the Lord God by the legs." Means to get incredibly lucky — to have fortune smile on you in an …

Chyba że

Literally "unless / except if." A very common conjunction used to introduce an exception or condition — "unless …

Chylić czoła

Literally "to bow one's brow." Means to show deep respect or reverence — to bow in admiration, to pay homage.

Chytry dwa razy traci

Literally "the crafty one loses twice." Means that trying to be too clever or cut corners backfires — you end up worse …

Chytry jak lis

Literally "cunning as a fox." Describes someone sly, crafty, and calculating — always scheming.

Ciąg dalszy nastąpi

Literally "the continuation will follow." Means "to be continued" — used at the end of a story, series, or situation …

Ciągnąć się jak smród po gaciach

Literally "to drag on like a stench through underpants." Describes something that goes on and on interminably — a …

Ciągnąć za język

Literally "to pull someone by the tongue." Means to drag information out of someone — to press them to speak when they'd …

Ciągnie swój do swego

Literally "one's own is drawn to one's own." Means birds of a feather flock together — people naturally gravitate toward …

Cicha woda brzegi rwie

Literally "still water tears the banks." The Polish equivalent of "still waters run deep." Describes a quiet person who …

Ciche dni

Literally "silent days." Refers to the silent treatment — when a couple or people in a household stop speaking to each …

Ciekawość to pierwszy stopień do piekła

Literally "curiosity is the first step to hell." A warning that nosiness leads to trouble — the Polish equivalent of …

Ciemna masa

Literally "dark mass." Refers to an ignorant, uneducated crowd — the unwashed masses, the rabble. Used condescendingly …

Ciemna strona mocy

Literally "the dark side of the Force." Used just as in English — to refer to a sinister, corrupt, or morally …

Ciemno jak w dupie

Literally "dark as inside an ass." Means pitch black — completely and utterly dark. A vulgar but very common intensifier …

Ciemny jak tabaka w rogu

Literally "dark as snuff in a horn." Means completely ignorant or uneducated — as dark (in the sense of unenlightened) …

Cienka skóra

Literally "thin skin." Means oversensitivity — being easily hurt or offended by criticism. The opposite of "gruba skóra" …

Cienki Bolek

Literally "Thin Bolek." Refers to someone weak, spineless, or of poor quality — a wimp, a pushover, or something …

Cienko prząść

Literally "to spin thinly." Means to be in a bad way financially or health-wise — to be struggling, barely getting by.

Ciepłe kluchy

Literally "warm dumplings." Describes a limp, spineless, overly passive person — a wet blanket, a pushover with no …

Cierp ciało, kiedyś chciało

Literally "suffer, body, since you wanted it." Means you brought this on yourself — you made your bed, now lie in it. …

Ciężka figura

Literally "a heavy figure." Means a heavyweight — an important, influential, or powerful person. A big shot, a major …

Ciężki kawałek chleba

Literally "a hard piece of bread." Means a tough way to earn a living — a difficult, demanding job or profession.

Cios poniżej pasa

Literally "a blow below the belt." Means an unfair, underhanded attack — hitting someone where it hurts most, breaking …

Cisza przed burzą

Literally "the calm before the storm." Describes a deceptive period of quiet that precedes a major conflict, crisis, or …

Co chwila

Literally "every moment." Means constantly, all the time, every few seconds — used to describe something that happens …

Co chwilę

Literally "every moment." Means constantly, repeatedly, all the time — something happening at very frequent intervals.

Co do jednego

Literally "to the last one." Means every single one, without exception — to a man, all of them.

Co do joty

Literally "to the iota." Means to the letter, exactly, precisely — without the slightest deviation.

Co dopiero

Literally "what only just." Used to intensify a comparison — "let alone," "not to mention," "much less." Example: "Nie …

Co drugi

Literally "every other." Means every second one — alternating, every other day/person/item. Example: "co drugi dzień" — …

Co dwie głowy, to nie jedna

Literally "two heads are better than one." Means that thinking together produces better results than thinking alone — …

Co dzień

Literally "every day." Means daily, each day — one of the most common time expressions in Polish alongside 'codziennie'. …

Co gorsza

Literally "what is worse." A discourse marker meaning "what's worse," "to make matters worse" — introducing an …

Co i rusz

Literally "every move." Means constantly, at every turn, all the time — used to describe something that keeps happening …

Co jest?

Literally "what is it?" A very casual, colloquial expression meaning "what's up?", "what's going on?", or "what's the …

Co kraj, to obyczaj

Literally "every country has its own custom." The Polish equivalent of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do." Advises …

Co łaska

Literally "whatever grace allows" / "as you please." Means whatever you can give, whatever you feel like — used when …

Co ma piernik do wiatraka?

Literally "what does gingerbread have to do with a windmill?" Used when someone says something completely irrelevant — …

Co ma wisieć, nie utonie

Literally "what is meant to hang won't drown." Means fate is fate — if you're destined for one end, you won't meet …

Co nagle, to po diable

Literally "what is done in haste is the devil's work." Means haste makes waste — rushing leads to poor results.

Co najmniej

Literally "what at least." Means "at least" — used to indicate a minimum quantity, degree, or expectation.

Co najwyżej

Literally "what at most." Means "at most" or "at best" — used to indicate a maximum limit or to downplay expectations.

Co prawda

Literally "what is true." Used as a discourse marker meaning "admittedly," "it's true that," "granted" — introducing a …

Co prędzej

Literally "as quickly as possible." Means right away, at once, as fast as you can — with urgency.

Co się odwlecze, to nie uciecze

Literally "what is delayed won't escape." Means what's meant to happen will happen eventually — you can postpone it but …

Co się tyczy

Literally "what concerns / what pertains to." A formal phrase meaning "as regards," "with respect to," "concerning." …

Co sił

Literally "with all one's strength." Means with maximum effort, as hard as possible — at full force. Example: "biec co …

Co słychać?

Literally "what is heard?" Means "what's up?" or "how are things?" — a very common informal greeting asking for news or …

Co ślina na język przyniesie

Literally "whatever saliva brings to the tongue." Means to say whatever comes to mind without thinking — to speak off …

Co to, to nie

Literally "that, that's a no." A firm, emphatic refusal — absolutely not, that's out of the question, no way.

Co tu dużo gadać

Literally "what is there much to talk about here." Means "not to put too fine a point on it" or "to cut to the chase" — …

Co tu dużo mówić

Literally "what is there much to say here." Means "to put it plainly," "in short," "there's no need to elaborate" — used …

Co więcej

Literally "what more." Means "moreover," "furthermore," or "what's more" — used to add an additional point that …

Co wolno wojewodzie, to nie tobie, smrodzie

Literally "what the governor may do, you may not, you stinker." Means rules apply differently to those in power — what's …

Co z oczu, to z serca

Literally "out of sight, out of heart." The Polish equivalent of "out of sight, out of mind" — when you no longer see …

Co za różnica

Literally "what a difference." Used rhetorically to mean "what does it matter?" or "so what?" — dismissing a distinction …

Coś na ząb

Literally "something for a tooth." Means a little something to eat — a snack, a bite to eat. Used when you want just a …

Coś tu nie gra

Literally "something doesn't play here." Used when something feels off, suspicious, or doesn't add up — the Polish …

Coś za coś

Literally "something for something." The Polish equivalent of "quid pro quo" — used when a trade, compromise, or …

Córa Koryntu

Literally "daughter of Corinth." A literary euphemism for a prostitute, referring to the ancient city of Corinth, famous …

Cud miód

Literally "miracle honey." An enthusiastic exclamation meaning something is absolutely wonderful, fantastic, or perfect. …

Cuda na kiju

Literally "miracles on a stick." Used sarcastically to describe something presented as amazing or extraordinary but that …

Cuda wianki

Literally "wonders and garlands." An exclamation expressing amazement, disbelief, or ironic wonder — "well I never!", …

Cudze chwalicie, swego nie znacie

"You praise what's foreign, you don't know your own." A classic saying used to criticise people who admire foreign …

Cyrk na kółkach

Literally "a circus on wheels." Describes a chaotic, disorganized, or ridiculous situation — a complete mess or farce. …

Czaić bazę

Slang for understanding something, getting the point, or being in the know. Roughly equivalent to "to get it," "to be …

Czapki z głów

Literally "hats off heads." Means "hats off" — an expression of deep respect, admiration, or acknowledgment of someone's …

Czarcia miotła

Literally "the devil's broom." Refers to a person who is constantly stirring up trouble, spreading gossip, or causing …

Czarcie koło

Literally "devil's circle." Means a vicious cycle — a situation where each problem causes another, trapping you in an …

Czarna dziura

Literally "black hole." Used figuratively for something that endlessly consumes money, time, or resources with no …

Czarna godzina

Literally "the black hour." Refers to a moment of crisis, hardship, or great misfortune — a dark hour. Often used in the …

Czarna magia

Literally "black magic." Used both literally and figuratively — to describe something incomprehensible, impossibly …

Czarna owca

Literally "black sheep." The odd one out in a family or group — someone who doesn't fit in or brings shame. Identical in …

Czarna robota

Literally "black work." Refers to dirty, hard, unglamorous manual labour — the grunt work nobody wants to do.

Czarna teczka

Literally "black folder." Refers to a dossier of compromising information held on someone — dirt, secrets, or …

Czarne złoto

Literally "black gold." A common metaphor for oil or coal — natural resources of enormous economic value.

Czarno na białym

Literally "black on white." Means something is written down, documented, and therefore undeniable — in black and white.

Czarny charakter

Literally "black character." The villain of a story, film, or situation — the bad guy. Also used outside fiction for a …

Czarny humor

"Black humour." Jokes about dark, morbid, or taboo subjects — gallows humour. Poles are well known for their love of …

Czarny jak smoła

Literally "black as tar." A simile used to describe something extremely dark — hair, night, coffee, or a mood.

Czarny koń

Literally "black horse." An unexpected contender or dark horse — someone who surprises everyone by performing far better …

Czarny lud

Literally "the black people / the dark folk." An old-fashioned term for common working people, the lower classes, or the …

Czas leczy rany

"Time heals wounds." A classic consolation — pain and grief fade with time. Direct equivalent of the English saying.

Czas nagli

"Time is pressing / time is running out." Used when there's urgency and not a moment to waste.

Czas to pieniądz

Literally "time is money." An exact equivalent of the English phrase. Emphasizes that time is a valuable resource not to …

Czego należało dowieść

"Which was to be proved." The Polish equivalent of the Latin Q.E.D. (quod erat demonstrandum) — used at the end of a …

Czego należało dowieść

Literally "what was to be proven." The Polish equivalent of the Latin Q.E.D. (quod erat demonstrandum) — used at the end …

Czego oczy nie widzą, tego sercu nie żal

"What the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't grieve over." The Polish equivalent of "out of sight, out of mind" — if you …

Czemu by nie

Literally "why wouldn't it be." Means "why not" — a casual, open-minded agreement or willingness to try something. Less …

Czerwony jak burak

"Red as a beetroot." Used to describe someone who is flushed with embarrassment, exertion, or anger. The Polish …

Czeski błąd

Literally "a Czech mistake." Refers to a typo or small spelling error — particularly swapping or misplacing letters. The …

Częste mycie skraca życie

"Frequent washing shortens life." A humorous, tongue-in-cheek saying used to justify not washing too often. Entirely …

Człowiek człowiekowi wilkiem

"Man is a wolf to man." A pessimistic saying about human nature — people can be cruel, selfish, and predatory towards …

Człowiek czynu

"A man of action." Someone who gets things done rather than just talking about them — decisive, practical, …

Człowiek orkiestra

"A one-man band." Someone who does everything themselves, handling multiple roles at once — a jack of all trades who …

Człowiek renesansu

"A Renaissance man." Someone with wide-ranging knowledge and talents across many fields — a polymath. The Polish …

Człowiek strzela, Pan Bóg kule nosi

"Man shoots, God carries the bullets." Plans and intentions are one thing — the outcome is another. No matter how …

Człowiek śniegu

"Snowman." Literally "man of snow" — the standard Polish term for a snowman. Also used figuratively for someone cold, …

Człowiek uczy się na błędach

"One learns from mistakes." A common saying encouraging people not to be discouraged by failure — mistakes are how we …

Cztery litery

Literally "four letters." A polite euphemism for the backside (tyłek/dupa — both four-letter words in Polish). Used to …

Czubek góry lodowej

"The tip of the iceberg." What's visible is only a small part of a much larger problem or situation hidden beneath the …

Czuć bluesa

Literally "to feel the blues." To feel melancholy, low, or down — to have the blues. Borrowed from English but fully …

Czuć miętę

Literally "to feel mint." To have a crush on someone, to fancy them — to feel a spark or attraction.

Czuć się jak ryba w wodzie

"To feel like a fish in water." To feel completely at ease, in one's element — totally comfortable in a situation or …

Czuć się jak u siebie w domu

"To feel at home." To feel completely comfortable and relaxed somewhere, as if it were your own home. Often said as an …

Czuć w kościach

"To feel it in one's bones." To have a strong gut feeling or premonition about something — to sense it instinctively …

Czuła struna

"A tender string." A sensitive topic or emotional weak spot — something that, when touched, provokes a strong emotional …

Czułe miejsce

Literally "a tender spot." Means a sensitive point — a topic, area, or issue that someone is particularly touchy or …

Czwarta władza

"The fourth estate." The press and media as an unofficial but powerful force in society, alongside the legislative, …

Czy słoń nadepnął ci na ucho?

Literally "Did an elephant step on your ear?" A humorous way of asking whether someone is tone-deaf — either musically …

Czym prędzej

Literally "the sooner the better." Means as quickly as possible, without delay — right away, immediately. A slightly …

Czym skorupka za młodu nasiąknie, tym na starość trąci

Literally "what the shell soaks in when young, it reeks of in old age." Habits and values absorbed in childhood stay …

Czyn społeczny

Literally "a social deed." Refers to voluntary community work — unpaid collective labour done for the public good, such …

Czystej krwi

Literally "of pure blood." Means purebred or thoroughbred — used for animals, but also figuratively for someone who is a …

Czysty jak łza

Literally "clean as a tear." Means spotlessly clean, perfectly pure, or completely innocent — without a single blemish …

Czytać jak w otwartej księdze

"To read someone like an open book." To understand someone's thoughts, feelings, or intentions completely and …

Czytać między wierszami

"To read between the lines." To understand the hidden or implied meaning behind what is said or written — to pick up on …

Ćwiczenie czyni mistrza

"Practice makes perfect." Repeated effort and training are what turn someone into a master of their craft.

Dach nad głową

"A roof over one's head." The basic necessity of having somewhere to live — shelter. Often used in phrases like "mieć …

Dać czadu

Literally "to give fumes/exhaust." To go all out, to give it everything, to perform with full intensity and energy. Used …

Dać do myślenia

"To give food for thought." To say or do something that makes people think seriously — to provoke reflection or raise …

Dać do wiwatu

"To give a thrashing / to let someone have it." To beat someone decisively, to give them a real pounding — in a fight, …

Dać drapaka

"To make a run for it." To flee quickly, to bolt, to scarper — to escape in a hurry.

Dać dupy

Literally "to give one's backside." Vulgar slang for failing completely, messing something up badly, or letting someone …

Dać folgę

Literally "to give slack." Means to give free rein, to let loose — to stop holding back and allow something (emotions, …

Dać nogę

Literally "to give a leg." Means to leg it — to run away quickly, to make a swift escape. A very colloquial expression …

Dać nura

Literally "to give a dive." Means to dive, duck, or plunge — either literally into water, or figuratively to duck out of …

Dać popalić

Literally "to let someone smoke." To give someone a hard time, to make things very difficult for them — to really put …

Dać radę

"To manage it / to be able to handle it." One of the most common everyday expressions in Polish — to cope, to succeed, …

Dać się ponieść

Literally "to let oneself be carried away." Means to get carried away — to lose yourself in an emotion, enthusiasm, or …

Dać się we znaki

"To make itself felt / to take its toll." When something causes real trouble, pain, or difficulty — when a problem, …

Dać słowo

"To give one's word." To make a solemn promise — to commit to something on your honour.

Dać sobie rękę uciąć

"To bet one's hand on it." To be absolutely certain about something — so sure you'd stake your hand on it. Used to …

Dać sobie siana

Literally "to give oneself hay." To give up, to throw in the towel, to admit defeat — to decide something isn't worth …

Dać spokój

"To leave it alone / to let it go." To stop bothering with something or someone — to drop it, to give it a rest. Also …

Dać w kość

"To take it out of someone / to put someone through the wringer." When something is physically or mentally exhausting …

Dać wiarę

"To give credence to / to believe." To accept something as true, to put faith in a claim or person. Slightly formal or …

Dać wycisk

"To give someone a real workout / to thrash someone." To push someone very hard physically, or to beat them decisively …

Dać wyraz

Literally "to give expression." Means to express something, to give voice to a feeling or opinion — typically used in …

Dać z siebie wszystko

"To give everything you've got." To put in maximum effort, to hold nothing back — to go all in.

Dać za wygraną

"To give up / to admit defeat." To stop fighting or trying and accept that you've lost or that something isn't going to …

Dać znać

"To let someone know / to get in touch." To inform someone, to send word — a very common everyday phrase.

Dać życie

"To give life." To sacrifice one's life for something or someone, or to bring something to life — to animate, to create. …

Daj Boże

"God willing / please God." An expression of hope or wish — asking God to grant something. Used when hoping for a good …

Daj Boże zdrowie

"God grant you health." A traditional blessing wishing someone good health — often said after a sneeze or as a general …

Daj żyć

"Give me a break / let me live." An exasperated plea to be left alone, to stop being pressured or nagged. Similar to …

Dajmy na to

"Let's say / for the sake of argument." Used to introduce a hypothetical example or assumption — "suppose that," "let's …

Dalszy ciąg

"The continuation / to be continued." The next part of a story, series, or situation. "Dalszy ciąg nastąpi" means "to be …

Dama serca

"The lady of one's heart." A man's beloved, the woman he is devoted to — used in a romantic, slightly old-fashioned or …

Dantejskie sceny

"Dantesque scenes." Scenes of utter chaos, horror, or suffering — a hellish spectacle reminiscent of Dante's Inferno. …

Darowanemu koniowi nie patrzy się w zęby

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." When you receive something for free, you shouldn't criticise or scrutinise it — …

Darz bór

A traditional hunter's greeting and blessing, meaning roughly "may the forest be generous" or "good hunting." Used among …

Data ważności

"Expiry date / best-before date." The date printed on food, medicine, or documents indicating until when they are valid …

Dawać do myślenia

Literally "to give to thinking." Means to give food for thought — to make someone think, to raise questions or doubts …

Dawać drapaka

Literally "to give a scratcher." Means to make a run for it, to scarper — to flee quickly, usually to avoid trouble or …

Dawać głowę pod topór

"To put one's head on the block." To stake everything on something, to take a huge personal risk — to be so certain or …

Dawać kosza

"To give someone the basket." To reject a romantic advance, to turn someone down — to friendzone or dump someone.

Dawać początek

"To give rise to / to be the origin of." To be the starting point or cause of something — to initiate or originate …

Dawać popalić

Literally "to give someone something to burn." Means to give someone hell — to make things very difficult, to put up …

Dawać radę

Literally "to give advice/a way." Means to manage, to cope, to handle something — one of the most essential and …

Dawać się we znaki

Literally "to give itself in signs." Means to make itself felt — used when something unpleasant (pain, cold, a problem) …

Dawać słowo

Literally "to give one's word." Means to make a promise, to pledge — a solemn commitment that something will be done.

Dawać spokój

Literally "to give peace." Means to leave someone alone, to drop something, to stop bothering — one of the most common …

Dawać w kość

Literally "to give into the bone." Means to take a real toll, to be gruelling — used when something (hard work, cold …

Dawać wiarę

Literally "to give faith/belief." Means to give credence to something, to believe or trust in something — often used in …

Dawać z siebie wszystko

Literally "to give everything from oneself." Means to give one's all — to put in maximum effort, to hold nothing back.

Dawać za wygraną

Literally "to give as won (by the other side)." Means to give up, to admit defeat — to stop fighting and concede that …

Dawać znać

Literally "to give to know." Means to let someone know, to notify, to get in touch — a very practical everyday …

Dawka uderzeniowa

"A strike dose / a shock dose." A large, concentrated dose of something — originally a medical term for a high initial …

Dawno i nieprawda

"Long ago and not true." A dismissive phrase used to wave away something as ancient history — irrelevant, outdated, or …

Dawno temu

Literally "long ago." The standard Polish way to begin a story set in the past — the equivalent of "once upon a time" or …

Dawnymi czasy

Literally "in olden times." Means in days of old, in former times — used nostalgically or in storytelling to evoke a …

De facto

Latin for "in fact." Used in Polish just as in English — to describe something that exists or is true in practice, even …

Deptać po piętach

"To tread on someone's heels." To follow very closely behind someone, to be right on their tail — in a race, …

Diabelski młyn

"The devil's mill / a Ferris wheel." Literally refers to a Ferris wheel, but figuratively describes a chaotic, …

Diabelskie nasienie

"Devil's seed." A strong insult for a thoroughly wicked, troublesome, or malicious person — someone who seems born of …

Diabeł nakrył ogonem

Literally "the devil covered it with his tail." Means something has vanished without a trace, disappeared completely — …

Diabeł nie śpi

"The devil never sleeps." A warning that evil, temptation, or trouble is always lurking — you can never fully let your …

Diabeł tkwi w szczegółach

"The devil is in the details." The small, overlooked details of a plan or project are often where problems hide — …

Diabli biorą

"The devils are taking it." An expression of frustration when something is going wrong, falling apart, or being ruined — …

Diabli wiedzą

"The devil knows / God knows." Used to express complete ignorance or uncertainty about something — nobody knows, it's …

Diabli wzięli

"The devils took it." Something has been ruined, lost, or gone to hell — used when plans fall apart or something is …

Dla bajeru

Literally "for the bajer." Means for show, for the cool factor, just to look impressive — doing something purely for …

Dla chcącego nic trudnego

"For one who wants, nothing is difficult." Where there's a will, there's a way — determination makes any obstacle …

Dla niepoznaki

"As a disguise / so as not to be recognised." Doing something to conceal one's identity or true intentions — as a cover. …

Dla odmiany

"For a change." To do something different from the usual — for variety's sake. Often used ironically when something is …

Dla pewności

"To be sure / just to be safe." Doing something as a precaution or to make absolutely certain — just in case.

Dla przykładu

"For example." A standard phrase used to introduce an illustrative example — equivalent to "for instance" or "for …

Dla zasady

"On principle." Doing something not for practical reasons but because of a personal rule or moral stance — as a matter …

Dlaczego by nie

Literally "why wouldn't it be." Means "why not" — an open, agreeable response suggesting there's no reason to refuse or …

Dmuchać na zimne

Literally "to blow on cold food." Means to be overly cautious — to take precautions even when they're probably …

Dniami i nocami

"Day and night / around the clock." Working or doing something continuously, without rest — day and night without …

Do białego rana

"Until the break of dawn / until white morning." Staying up or partying until the early morning light — until dawn …

Do biegu, gotowi, start!

Literally "to the run, ready, go!" The Polish equivalent of "on your marks, get set, go!" — the standard racing start …

Do bólu

"To the point of pain / to an extreme degree." Used as an intensifier meaning excessively, to a painful or absurd degree …

Do cholery

Literally "to cholera." A mild expletive expressing frustration, annoyance, or emphasis — the Polish equivalent of "damn …

Do diabła

"To the devil / damn it." A common mild expletive expressing frustration or dismissal. Also used in "do diabła z tym" …

Do dna

Literally "to the bottom." Used as a toast meaning "bottoms up" — drink it all the way down. Also used figuratively to …

Do dupy

Literally "to the ass." Means rubbish, terrible, worthless — used to dismiss something as completely useless or awful. …

Do dyspozycji

"At your disposal." Available and ready to help — used formally or politely to indicate you are ready to assist. "Jestem …

Do góry nogami

"Upside down." Literally "to the top with legs." Used both literally (something is physically inverted) and figuratively …

Do grobowej deski

"To the grave / until the coffin lid." Until death — used to express lifelong commitment, loyalty, or suffering. "Kochać …

Do gruntu

"To the ground / thoroughly / completely." Used as an intensifier meaning utterly, to the core — completely destroyed, …

Do jasnej cholery

"For crying out loud / damn it all." A euphemistic expletive expressing strong frustration or exasperation. Stronger …

Do jasnej ciasnej!

A mild expletive expressing frustration or surprise — the Polish equivalent of "for goodness' sake!" or "damn it!" A …

Do końca

"To the end / until the end." Seeing something through completely, not giving up — going all the way to the finish.

Do kupy

"Together / in order / making sense." Used in phrases like "zebrać do kupy" (to pull together, to get organised) or "to …

Do kwadratu

Literally "to the square." Means squared — used mathematically (e.g. dwa do kwadratu = two squared), but also …

Do niczego

Literally "good for nothing." Means useless, worthless, terrible — used to dismiss a person or thing as completely …

Do niedawna

Literally "until not long ago." Means until recently — used to describe a state or situation that was true up to a short …

Do nogi

"To heel!" A command to a dog to come to heel — walk close beside the owner. Also used figuratively and humorously to …

Do obrzydzenia

Literally "to the point of disgust." Used as an intensifier meaning sickeningly, to a nauseating degree — when something …

Do odważnych świat należy

"The world belongs to the brave." Fortune favours the bold — those who take risks and act with courage are the ones who …

Do oporu

"To the limit / to resistance / as far as it goes." Pushing something to its absolute maximum — filling something …

Do ostatniej kropli

"To the last drop." Until absolutely nothing remains — giving or fighting until the very last drop, whether of drink, …

Do ostatniej kropli krwi

"To the last drop of blood." To fight, defend, or commit to something until death — the ultimate expression of total …

Do pełna

"To the full / fill it up." Used when filling something completely — a tank, a glass, a bag. "Proszę do pełna" is what …

Do poduszki

Literally "for the pillow." Means something kept secret, whispered only into a pillow — a private thought, a bedtime …

Do pokonania

"To be overcome / surmountable." Used to describe a challenge or obstacle that can be beaten — "to overcome." Also in …

Do potęgi

Literally "to the power of." Used mathematically for exponentiation, but also figuratively as an intensifier — "idiotyzm …

Do późna

Literally "until late." Means until late at night — staying up, working, or partying into the late hours.

Do przodu

"Forward / ahead." Moving forward, making progress — both literally and figuratively. "Iść do przodu" means to move …

Do rany przyłóż

"Apply to the wound." Said of a person who is so kind, gentle, or helpful that you could use them like a healing balm — …

Do rąk własnych

Literally "into one's own hands." Written on letters and parcels to mean "personal" or "confidential" — to be opened …

Do reszty

Literally "to the rest / to the remainder." Used as an intensifier meaning completely, utterly, totally — finishing …

Do rzeczy

"To the point / relevant / sensible." Used to say something makes sense or is on topic. "Mówić do rzeczy" means to speak …

Do siego roku

"To this new year." A traditional New Year's greeting wishing someone well in the coming year — an archaic but …

Do spółki z

"Together with / in cahoots with / jointly." Doing something in partnership or collaboration with someone — sometimes …

Do stu piorunów

"A hundred thunderbolts!" A colourful expletive expressing strong frustration or anger — one of the more vivid Polish …

Do sucha

"Until dry / bone dry." Drinking or wiping something completely dry — draining a glass to the last drop or drying …

Do syta

"To one's fill / until satisfied." Eating or having enough of something to be completely satisfied — to one's heart's …

Do szczętu

"Completely / utterly / to nothing." Total and complete destruction or consumption — wiped out entirely, reduced to …

Do sześcianu

Literally "to the cube." Used mathematically for cubing a number, but also figuratively as an intensifier — "głupi do …

Do szpiku kości

"To the marrow of one's bones." To the very core of one's being — used to describe something deeply felt, or a quality …

Do Świętego Ducha, nie zdejmuj kożucha

"Until Whit Sunday, don't take off your sheepskin coat." A traditional weather proverb warning that cold weather can …

Do tej pory

Literally "until this time." Means "until now," "so far," or "up to this point" — one of the most common time …

Do trzech razy sztuka

"Third time's the charm." The third attempt is the one that succeeds — if something hasn't worked twice, try once more.

Do tyłu

Literally "to the back." Means backwards, behind, or in reverse — used for physical direction and figuratively for …

Do usług

Literally "at your service." A polite, slightly formal expression meaning "at your disposal" — used when offering help …

Do utraty sił

"Until exhaustion / until one's strength gives out." Working, playing, or doing something until you have no energy left …

Do utraty tchu

"Until breathless / until out of breath." Running, laughing, or doing something until you literally can't breathe …

Do widzenia

"Goodbye." The standard formal farewell in Polish — literally "until seeing (again)." Used in all formal and semi-formal …

Do wyboru, do koloru

"Take your pick / plenty to choose from." There are so many options that you can choose freely — a wide variety is …

Do znudzenia

"To the point of boredom / ad nauseam." Repeating something so many times it becomes tedious — over and over until …

Do zobaczenia

"See you / until we meet again." A warm, common farewell — slightly more personal than "do widzenia." Used among …

Do zobaczenia później

Literally "until seeing later." Means "see you later" — a standard casual farewell in Polish.

Do żywego

"To the quick / to the core." To hurt or affect someone deeply — to cut to the quick emotionally. "Trafić do żywego" …

Dobra nasza

"We've got it / we're in luck / things are looking up." An exclamation of relief or satisfaction when things turn out …

Dobra robota

"Good job / well done." A straightforward compliment for work done well. The Polish equivalent of "good work" or "nice …

Dobra wiara

"Good faith." Acting honestly and sincerely, without intent to deceive — in good faith. A key concept in law, business, …

Dobra wola

"Goodwill." A genuine desire to help or cooperate — acting out of goodwill rather than obligation. "Gest dobrej woli" is …

Dobranoc

Literally "good night." The standard Polish farewell said before going to sleep or parting in the evening.

Dobre i to

"That'll do / good enough." An expression of modest satisfaction — it's not perfect, but it's acceptable. Making the …

Dobre słowo

"A kind word." A word of encouragement, praise, or comfort — something small but meaningful. "Dobre słowo wiele znaczy" …

Dobre wychowanie

"Good upbringing / good manners." Being well-raised and well-mannered — having the social graces instilled by a proper …

Dobry dzień

Literally "good day." A standard Polish daytime greeting — formal and polite, used when meeting someone during the day.

Dobry wieczór

Literally "good evening." The standard Polish evening greeting, used when meeting someone after dark or in the late …

Dobry wujek

"The good uncle." Used ironically to describe the state, a large corporation, or any powerful institution that presents …

Dobrymi chęciami jest piekło wybrukowane

Literally "hell is paved with good intentions." The Polish version of the classic proverb — good intentions alone are …

Dobrymi chęciami piekło jest wybrukowane

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Good intentions alone are not enough — without follow-through, they …

Dobrze wychowany

"Well-mannered / well-brought-up." Describing someone who has good manners and behaves politely — the result of a good …

Dochodzić do siebie

"To recover / to come back to oneself." To regain health, strength, or composure after illness, shock, or exhaustion — …

Dochodzić do wniosku

Literally "to arrive at a conclusion." Means to come to a conclusion, to reach a finding after thinking something …

Dodać dwa do dwóch

"To add two and two." To draw an obvious conclusion from available facts — to put two and two together. Used when …

Dodawać dwa do dwóch

Literally "to add two to two." Means to put two and two together — to draw an obvious conclusion from available facts, …

Dojna krowa

"A cash cow." A person or thing that is exploited as a reliable source of money — milked for profit without much being …

Dojść do siebie

Literally "to come to oneself." Means to recover — from illness, shock, exhaustion, or an emotional blow. To get back to …

Dojść do skutku

"To come to fruition / to materialise / to take place." When a plan, event, or agreement actually happens — when …

Dojść do władzy

"To come to power / to seize power." To gain political or organisational control — to reach a position of authority.

Dojść do wniosku

"To come to a conclusion / to reach a conclusion." To arrive at a judgement or decision after thinking something …

Dokręcać śrubę

"To tighten the screw." To increase pressure on someone, to make conditions harder or stricter — to turn the screws on …

Dokręcić śrubę

Literally "to tighten the screw." Means to increase pressure on someone, to tighten the screws — to make conditions …

Dolać oliwy do ognia

"To pour oil on the fire." To make a bad situation worse — to inflame a conflict or argument instead of calming it down. …

Dolewać oliwy do ognia

Literally "to pour oil into the fire." Means to add fuel to the fire — to make a bad situation worse, to inflame an …

Doliczony czas

"Added time / injury time / stoppage time." Extra time added at the end of a football match to compensate for stoppages …

Dolina Krzemowa

Literally "Silicon Valley." The Polish name for the famous tech hub in California — used both literally and as a …

Dołożyć rękę

"To have a hand in something." To contribute to or be involved in something — often used when someone has played a part …

Dom otwarty

Literally "open house." Describes a home where guests are always welcome — a hospitable household with an open-door …

dom wariatów

Literally "house of madmen." Used to describe a place or situation of total chaos and disorder — an office, household, …

domek z kart

Literally "a house of cards." Describes something that looks stable but is fragile and likely to collapse — a plan, …

Domowe pielesze

Literally "home haunts / home nooks." Means the comforts of home — the cosy, familiar surroundings of one's own house. …

Dookoła Wojtek

Literally "Wojtek all around." Means going around in circles — a situation where no matter what you try, you end up back …

dopiąć swego

Literally "to fasten/button up one's own." Means to achieve what you set out to do, to get your way, to see something …

Dopiero co

Literally "only just." Means "just now" or "only a moment ago" — used to describe something that happened very recently, …

dostać kosza

Literally "to get a basket." Means to be rejected — most commonly when asking someone out or proposing. The equivalent …

dostać kota

Literally "to get a cat." Means to go crazy, to lose one's mind, or to have a sudden fit of anger or irrationality. Used …

dostać po kieszeni

Literally "to get it in the pocket." Means to take a financial hit — to lose money, face unexpected costs, or suffer …

Dostawać kota

Literally "to get a cat." Means to freak out, to go crazy, to lose one's mind — used when someone becomes extremely …

Dostawać po kieszeni

Literally "to get hit in the pocket." Means to take a financial hit — to suffer a monetary loss or be made to pay more …

Dość powiedzieć

Literally "it is enough to say." Means "suffice it to say" — used to introduce a summary or conclusion without going …

Dość tego dobrego

Literally "enough of this good thing." Used ironically to say enough is enough — when something pleasant has gone on too …

Drapacz chmur

Literally "cloud scratcher." The Polish word for a skyscraper — a very tall building that seems to scratch the clouds.

drenaż mózgów

Literally "brain drain." Refers to the emigration of educated and talented people from a country, leaving it …

droga przez mękę

Literally "a road through torment." Describes a long, painful, and exhausting process — bureaucracy, a difficult …

droga wolna

Literally "the road is clear." Used to signal that the way is free, that someone can proceed, or that an obstacle has …

drogi sercu

Literally "dear to the heart." Describes something or someone deeply cherished and emotionally important. Used in both …

druga młodość

Literally "second youth." Describes a period in life — often middle age or later — when someone rediscovers energy, …

druga natura

Literally "second nature." Describes a habit or skill so deeply ingrained that it feels completely natural and …

druga połówka

Literally "the other half." Refers to a romantic partner — the person who completes you. Widely used in everyday speech …

druga strona medalu

Literally "the other side of the medal." Means the flip side — the downside, drawback, or alternative perspective of …

Drugi garnitur

Literally "second suit." Means the second string — a backup team, a less important group of people kept in reserve. Used …

drugi oddech

Literally "second breath." Describes a burst of renewed energy or motivation after a period of exhaustion — getting a …

Drzeć koty

Literally "to tear cats." Means to be constantly at each other's throats — to quarrel endlessly, to be in a state of …

drzewo genealogiczne

Literally "genealogical tree." The standard Polish term for a family tree — a diagram or record tracing family ancestry …

duby smalone

Literally "tarred oaks" — an archaic and opaque phrase. Means complete nonsense, rubbish, or gibberish. Used when …

dumny jak paw

Literally "proud as a peacock." Describes someone who is very proud, often to the point of arrogance or vanity. Exact …

Dusza człowiek

Literally "a soul of a person." Means a wonderful, warm-hearted person — someone who is genuinely kind, generous, and …

dusza towarzystwa

Literally "the soul of the company." Describes the life of the party — someone whose energy, humor, and warmth make any …

dwa grzyby w barszcz

Literally "two mushrooms into the borscht." A humorous expression meaning something is completely out of place, …

Dwa kółka

Literally "two little wheels." A colloquial term for a bicycle — affectionate and informal, often used when talking …

dwa ognie

Literally "two fires." Describes being caught between two opposing pressures, people, or forces — stuck in the middle …

dziad swoje, baba swoje

Literally "the old man his thing, the old woman her thing." Describes a situation where two people stubbornly stick to …

dziada z babą brakuje

Literally "an old man and old woman are missing." Said humorously when a gathering is chaotic, noisy, or has every type …

dziadek do orzechów

Literally "nutcracker." Can mean the actual kitchen tool, but also used figuratively to describe someone or something …

dziadek płakał, jak sprzedawał

Literally "grandpa cried when he sold it." Said sarcastically about something old, broken, or worthless that someone is …

działać jak płachta na byka

Literally "to act like a red rag to a bull." Describes something that instantly provokes anger or an aggressive reaction …

dzieci i ryby głosu nie mają

Literally "children and fish have no voice." A traditional saying used (often ironically today) to tell children to be …

Dzielić skórę na niedźwiedziu

Literally "to divide the bear's skin while it's still on the bear." Means to count your chickens before they hatch — to …

dzielić włos na czworo

Literally "to split a hair into four." Means to nitpick, to over-analyse trivial details, or to make unnecessarily fine …

Dzień dobry

Literally "good day." The standard Polish daytime greeting — used from morning until early evening when meeting someone. …

Dzień Pański

Literally "the Lord's Day." The traditional religious term for Sunday — the day of rest and worship in the Christian …

Dzień po dniu

Literally "day after day." Means day by day — used to describe something happening gradually, one day at a time, or …

Dzień powszedni

Literally "an ordinary day." Means a weekday or an everyday, unremarkable day — as opposed to a holiday or special …

Dzień w dzień

Literally "day in day." Means day in, day out — every single day without exception, with a sense of monotonous …

dziesiąta woda po kisielu

Literally "the tenth water after the kisel." Describes a very distant relative — someone so distantly related that the …

dziewczyna z sąsiedztwa

Literally "the girl next door." Describes an approachable, wholesome, ordinary young woman — not glamorous or …

Dziewczyna z sąsiedztwa

Literally "girl from the neighbourhood." Means the girl next door — an approachable, wholesome, ordinary young woman …

dzięki Bogu

Literally "thanks to God." An everyday exclamation of relief or gratitude — equivalent to "thank God" or "thank …

dziki lokator

Literally "wild tenant." Refers to someone who occupies a property without a legal right to be there — a squatter. Used …

dziura zabita deskami

Literally "a hole boarded up with planks." Describes a remote, isolated, and utterly boring place — a backwater, a …

dziurawa pamięć

Literally "a leaky/holey memory." Describes someone who forgets things easily and constantly — a memory full of holes. …

dziury w niebie nie będzie

Literally "there won't be a hole in the sky." Used to dismiss something as not a big deal — nothing terrible will …

dziw bierze

Literally "wonder takes (one)." An old-fashioned but still used expression meaning "it's astonishing" or "it's hard to …

dzwonek alarmowy

Literally "alarm bell." Used figuratively to describe a warning sign — something that signals danger, a problem, or the …

dźwigać na barkach

Literally "to carry on one's shoulders." Describes bearing a heavy burden of responsibility — carrying the weight of …

efekt czystej ekspozycji

The "mere exposure effect" — a psychological phenomenon where people develop a preference for things simply because they …

efekt domina

The domino effect — a chain reaction where one event triggers a series of similar or related events. Used in politics, …

efekt jo-jo

The yo-yo effect — most commonly used in the context of dieting, where weight lost is quickly regained, creating a cycle …

efekt motyla

The butterfly effect — the idea from chaos theory that a small action (a butterfly flapping its wings) can have large, …

efekt uboczny

A side effect — an unintended consequence of an action, medication, or decision. Used in medicine, science, and everyday …

egipskie ciemności

Literally "Egyptian darkness." Refers to total, impenetrable darkness — physical or metaphorical. Comes from the …

eksperyment myślowy

A thought experiment — an imagined scenario used to explore ideas, test theories, or reason through problems without …

eliksir życia

Literally "elixir of life." Refers to a mythical potion granting eternal life or youth, but used figuratively for …

emocje jak na grzybobraniu

Literally "emotions like at a mushroom-picking outing." Describes a situation full of excitement, unpredictability, and …

en face

From French — "facing forward." Used in Polish in photography, art, and medicine to describe a front-facing view or …

Ex post

Latin for "after the fact." Used in Polish formal, legal, and academic language to describe analysis or evaluation done …

fabryka snów

Literally "dream factory." A poetic term for Hollywood, the film industry, or any place that produces fantasies and …

fakt faktem

Literally "a fact is a fact." Used as a concessive phrase meaning "that said," "granted," or "admittedly" — …

farbowany lis

Literally "a dyed fox." Describes a cunning, two-faced person who pretends to be something they are not — a fake, a …

femme fatale

From French — "deadly woman." Refers to a seductive, mysterious woman who leads men into dangerous or ruinous …

folgę dać

Literally "to give slack/indulgence." Means to ease up, to let yourself go, to stop holding back — whether in eating, …

fora ze dwora

Literally "out of the courtyard!" An emphatic way of telling someone to get out, go away, or clear off. Stronger and …

fortuna kołem się toczy

Literally "fortune turns like a wheel." Means that luck is cyclical — what goes up must come down, and vice versa. …

frajer pompka

A colloquial intensified insult — a "total sucker" or "complete mug." 'Frajer' alone means a naive person who gets taken …

gabinet cieni

Literally "shadow cabinet." The official political term for the opposition's parallel team of ministers who shadow their …

gabinet luster

Literally "hall of mirrors." Describes a disorienting situation where reality is distorted, reflections multiply, and …

gadać jak do słupa

Literally "to talk as if to a post." Means to talk to someone who isn't listening or doesn't understand — like speaking …

Gadać jak do ściany

Literally "to talk as if to a wall." Means to talk to a brick wall — to speak to someone who isn't listening or refuses …

Gadające głowy

Literally "talking heads." Refers to TV pundits, commentators, or experts who appear on screen to give opinions — often …

gałązka oliwna

Literally "olive branch." The universal symbol of peace, reconciliation, and goodwill. Used in Polish exactly as in …

Ganc egal

From German 'ganz egal' — "completely equal/indifferent." Means couldn't care less, it makes absolutely no difference. A …

gaz do dechy

Literally "gas to the board" — meaning pedal to the metal, full throttle. Used to describe going at maximum speed or …

gdy kota nie ma, myszy harcują

Literally "when the cat is away, the mice play." When the authority figure or supervisor is absent, those under them do …

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze

Literally "when you don't know what it's about, it's about money." A cynical but widely quoted observation that money is …

Gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to wiadomo, że chodzi o pieniądze

Literally "when you don't know what it's about, you know it's about money." A cynical but widely shared observation that …

gdy przyjdzie co do czego

Literally "when it comes to what to what." Means "when push comes to shove" — when the moment of truth arrives and …

gdy się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

Literally "when a person hurries, the devil rejoices." Means that rushing leads to mistakes and bad outcomes — haste …

Gdy tylko

Literally "when only." Means "as soon as" — used to introduce a condition that triggers an immediate consequence.

Gdyby babcia miała wąsy, toby był wujaszek

Literally "if grandma had a moustache, she'd be an uncle." Used to dismiss pointless hypotheticals — the Polish …

gdyby babcia miała wąsy, toby była dziadkiem

Literally "if grandma had a moustache, she'd be grandpa." The Polish way of dismissing pointless hypotheticals — used to …

gdyby kózka nie skakała, toby nóżki nie złamała

Literally "if the little goat hadn't jumped, she wouldn't have broken her little legs." Means that if you hadn't taken a …

Gdzie diabeł mówi dobranoc

Literally "where the devil says goodnight." Describes a place that is extremely remote, isolated, or in the middle of …

Gdzie diabeł nie może, pośle babę

Literally "where the devil can't manage, he'll send a woman." Means that a determined woman can succeed where even the …

gdzie diabeł nie może, tam babę pośle

Literally "where the devil can't manage, he'll send a woman." A sardonic saying suggesting that a determined or cunning …

gdzie drwa rąbią, tam wióry lecą

Literally "where wood is chopped, chips fly." Means that any significant action or conflict will have collateral effects …

Gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy opinie

Literally "where there are two Poles, there are three opinions." A self-aware joke about Polish individualism and the …

gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy zdania

Literally "where there are two Poles, there are three opinions." A self-deprecating joke about Polish people's tendency …

gdzie dwóch się bije, tam trzeci korzysta

Literally "where two fight, a third benefits." When two parties are in conflict, a third party standing aside gains the …

Gdzie indziej

Literally "where else / somewhere else." Means elsewhere, in another place — one of the most common spatial expressions …

Gdzie kucharek sześć, tam nie ma co jeść

Literally "where there are six cooks, there is nothing to eat." The Polish version of "too many cooks spoil the broth."

Gdzie plecy kończą swoją szlachetną nazwę

Literally "where the back ends its noble name." A humorous euphemism for the buttocks — used to avoid saying a cruder …

gdzie plecy tracą swoją szlachetną nazwę

Literally "where the back loses its noble name." A humorous euphemism for the buttocks. Used to avoid saying something …

Gdzie psy dupami szczekają

Literally "where dogs bark with their butts." A colorful (and slightly crude) way to describe a place that is extremely …

gdzie Rzym, gdzie Krym

Literally "where Rome, where Crimea." Used to point out that two things being compared or connected have absolutely …

Gdzie tam

Literally "where there." Used as a dismissive exclamation meaning "yeah right," "not a chance," or "far from it" — …

gęsia skórka

Literally "goose skin." The Polish term for goosebumps — the physical reaction to cold, fear, or strong emotion when the …

globalna wioska

Literally "global village." The concept coined by Marshall McLuhan describing how modern communications technology has …

Głodnemu chleb na myśli

Literally "a hungry person has bread on their mind." Means you think about what you need most — your desires and …

głodny jak wilk

Literally "hungry as a wolf." Means extremely hungry — ravenous. A very common simile used in everyday speech by all …

głos natury

Literally "the voice of nature." Refers to a natural instinct or urge — often used humorously as a euphemism for needing …

głosować portfelem

Literally "to vote with one's wallet." Means making consumer or political choices based purely on financial …

głowa rodziny

Literally "head of the family." The person who leads, provides for, and makes decisions for the family unit. Used in …

głową muru nie przebijesz

Literally "you won't break through a wall with your head." Means that stubbornly fighting against something immovable is …

głuchy jak pień

Literally "deaf as a tree stump." Describes someone who is completely deaf or who stubbornly refuses to listen. Used …

głuchy telefon

Literally "deaf telephone." The Polish name for the game of Chinese whispers / telephone — where a message is passed …

głupi jak but

Literally "stupid as a shoe." A blunt, colloquial way of calling someone very stupid. One of the most common Polish …

głupich nie sieją, sami się rodzą

Literally "fools aren't sown — they grow on their own." Means that stupidity needs no cultivation; there's never a …

Głupich nie sieją, sami się rodzą

Literally "fools aren't sown, they grow on their own." Means that stupidity needs no cultivation — foolish people appear …

godzina zero

Literally "hour zero." The critical moment when something decisive begins — D-Day, the point of no return, the moment …

godziny szczytu

Literally "peak hours." Rush hour — the busiest periods of the day for traffic, public transport, or any service. …

gol kontaktowy

Literally "contact goal." A goal that brings a losing team back into contention — reducing the deficit and making the …

gol samobójczy

Literally "suicide goal." An own goal — when a player accidentally scores against their own team. Used figuratively for …

gołe oko

Literally "bare eye." Means the naked eye — seeing something without any optical aid such as a microscope or telescope. …

goły jak święty turecki

Literally "naked as a Turkish saint." Means completely broke, penniless, or destitute — without a penny to one's name. A …

gołymi rękami

Literally "with bare hands." Means using no tools, weapons, or equipment — relying purely on physical strength or direct …

gonitwa myśli

Literally "a chase of thoughts." Describes a racing mind — thoughts tumbling over each other rapidly, making it hard to …

gorący kartofel

Literally "a hot potato." A problem, issue, or responsibility that nobody wants to deal with and everyone tries to pass …

gorączka złota

Literally "gold fever." Describes a frenzied rush to get rich quickly — originally from gold rushes, but now used for …

gorzka pigułka

Literally "a bitter pill." Something unpleasant that must be accepted or endured — bad news, a harsh truth, or a …

gorzkie żale

Literally "bitter laments." A traditional Polish Catholic devotion performed during Lent, consisting of hymns of sorrow …

gość w dom, Bóg w dom

Literally "a guest in the home, God in the home." Expresses the Polish tradition of warm, generous hospitality — …

Góra rodzi mysz

Literally "the mountain gives birth to a mouse." Means a great effort or buildup that produces a laughably small result …

góra urodziła mysz

Literally "the mountain gave birth to a mouse." Describes a situation where enormous effort, preparation, or expectation …

Góra z górą się nie zejdzie, ale człowiek z człowiekiem tak

Literally "mountain won't meet mountain, but person will meet person." Means that people always end up crossing paths …

góra z górą się nie zejdzie, ale człowiek z człowiekiem zawsze

Literally "mountain will never meet mountain, but people will always meet each other." Means that no matter how far …

Gówno prawda

Literally "shit truth." Means "that's complete rubbish" or "absolute nonsense" — a blunt, vulgar way of saying something …

gra półsłówek

Literally "a game of half-words." Describes indirect, allusive communication where things are hinted at rather than …

Gra słów

Literally "a play on words." Means a pun or wordplay — using words that sound alike or have multiple meanings for …

gra wstępna

Literally "preliminary game." Foreplay — the preparatory phase before the main event, whether in a romantic/sexual …

grać na zwłokę

Literally "to play for delay." Means to stall, to drag things out deliberately — using tactics to buy time rather than …

grać w otwarte karty

Literally "to play with open cards." Means to be transparent and honest — to show your hand, to deal openly without …

Grać w zielone

Literally "to play at green." Means to play dumb, to feign ignorance or naivety — to pretend you don't understand …

groch z kapustą

Literally "peas with cabbage." Describes a chaotic, incoherent mix of things that don't belong together — a jumble, a …

grosik za twoje myśli

Literally "a penny for your thoughts." Used when someone is lost in thought and you want to know what they're thinking. …

grosz do grosza, a będzie kokosza

Literally "penny to penny and you'll have a fat hen." Means that small savings add up — if you put aside a little at a …

grób pobielany

Literally "a whitewashed tomb." Describes a hypocrite — someone who appears virtuous and respectable on the outside but …

gruba ryba

Literally "a fat fish." Means a big shot, a VIP, or an important and influential person. Used to describe someone with …

gruba skóra

Literally "thick skin." Describes someone who is not easily offended or hurt by criticism — emotionally resilient and …

Grubo ciosany

Literally "roughly hewn." Describes a blunt, unrefined person — someone who lacks social grace, speaks crudely, and has …

Gruby jak beczka

Literally "fat as a barrel." A blunt simile describing someone who is very overweight — round and wide like a barrel.

grubymi nićmi szyty

Literally "sewn with thick thread." Describes something clumsily disguised, poorly concealed, or transparently fake — a …

grunt pod nogami

Literally "ground under one's feet." Describes having a stable foundation — financial security, a solid position, or a …

grunt to

Literally "the ground/foundation is…" Used as a filler phrase meaning "the main thing is," "what matters most is," or …

grupa wzajemnej adoracji

Literally "mutual admiration society." A group of people who constantly praise and flatter each other, often to the …

Gruszki na wierzbie

Literally "pears on a willow tree." Since pears don't grow on willows, this describes an impossible or unrealistic …

gryźć piach

Literally "to bite the sand/dirt." Means to die — specifically to fall dead, face-first into the ground. Used in …

Gryźć piach

Literally "to bite the sand/dust." Means to bite the dust — to die, to fall in defeat, or to fail completely. Used both …

gryźć się w język

Literally "to bite oneself in the tongue." Means to stop yourself from saying something — to hold back words you were …

Gryźć się w język

Literally "to bite oneself in the tongue." Means to bite one's tongue — to stop yourself from saying something you'd …

grzech pierworodny

Literally "original sin." The theological concept of the sin inherited by all humans from Adam and Eve. Used …

grzyb atomowy

Literally "atomic mushroom." The mushroom cloud produced by a nuclear explosion. Used figuratively to describe anything …

guzik prawda

Literally "button truth" — meaning "that's absolutely not true" or "not a chance." A blunt, colloquial way of dismissing …

gwiazdka z nieba

Literally "a little star from the sky." Used in the phrase 'nie wymaga gwiazdki z nieba' (doesn't require a star from …

gwóźdź do trumny

Literally "a nail in the coffin." Describes the final blow that finishes something off — the last damaging event that …

gwóźdź programu

Literally "the nail of the programme." The highlight or star attraction of an event, show, or programme — the thing …

hart ducha

Literally "hardness of spirit." Describes mental toughness, resilience, and strength of character — the ability to …

hiobowa wiadomość

Literally "a Job's message." Devastating news — tidings of disaster, loss, or catastrophe. From the biblical story of …

Hiobowa wieść

Literally "a Job's tidings." Means terrible news — devastating information that brings suffering or despair, like the …

historia lubi się powtarzać

Literally "history likes to repeat itself." The observation that the same patterns, mistakes, and events recur …

Historia z mchu i paproci

Literally "a story from moss and ferns." Means a very old story, an ancient tale — something so old it has moss and …

historia zatacza koło

Literally "history traces a circle." Means that events come full circle — what happened before is happening again. A …

Hulaj dusza

Literally "let the soul run free." Means let loose, go wild, throw caution to the wind — an expression of carefree …

hulaj dusza, piekła nie ma

Literally "roam free, soul — there is no hell." An expression of reckless abandon — throwing caution to the wind, living …

I basta

Literally "and enough" (from Italian "basta"). Used to shut down a discussion — "and that's that / end of story." …

I bądź tu człowieku mądry

Literally "and try to be wise here, human." Means "go figure" or "what can you do" — an expression of bewildered …

I cześć

Literally "and goodbye." Used to say something is finished, gone, or done with — often with a resigned or dismissive …

I gitara

Literally "and a guitar." Used to express that everything is going great, something turned out perfectly, or a situation …

I już

Literally "and already / and done." One of the most common Polish expressions for wrapping something up — "and that's …

I koniec

Literally "and the end." A blunt way to say "and that's it / no more discussion." Often used by parents, teachers, or …

I kropka

Literally "and full stop." Means "and that's that" or "period, end of discussion" — used to close a topic firmly, …

I po herbacie

Literally "and after the tea." Means something is completely over, finished, or gone — often with a sense of …

I szlus

Literally "and schluss." Means "and that's it," "finished," "over and done with" — a firm, final declaration that …

I tak, i nie

Literally "both yes and no." Means "yes and no" — used when the answer is complicated, neither fully yes nor fully no. A …

I tym podobne

Literally "and the like." Means "and so on," "et cetera," "and similar things" — used to close a list without …

I w Paryżu nie zrobią z owsa ryżu

Literally "even in Paris they can't make rice from oats." Means you can't make something from nothing — no matter how …

I wilk syty, i owca cała

Literally "the wolf is full and the sheep is whole." Means to have your cake and eat it too — a situation where two …

Idź do diabła

Literally "go to the devil." The standard Polish way to tell someone to get lost or go to hell. Ranges from mildly rude …

Igrać z ogniem

Literally "to play with fire." Means to take a dangerous risk or provoke trouble recklessly — identical in meaning to …

Ile dusza zapragnie

Literally "as much as the soul desires." Means as much as you want, to your heart's content — used to express unlimited …

Ile masz lat?

Literally "how many years do you have?" The standard Polish way to ask someone's age — "how old are you?"

Ile sił

Literally "with all one's strength." Used to mean as hard as possible, with maximum effort — "with all one's might." …

Ile sił w płucach

Literally "with all the strength in one's lungs." Means at the top of one's lungs, as loudly as possible — shouting or …

Im dalej w las, tym więcej drzew

Literally "the further into the forest, the more trees." Means the deeper you get into something, the more complicated …

In flagranti

From Latin "in flagrante delicto" — caught in the act, red-handed. Used in Polish exactly as in English: to describe …

Inaczej mówiąc

Literally "speaking differently / in other words." A discourse marker used to rephrase or clarify what was just said — …

Indyk myślał o niedzieli, a w sobotę łeb mu ścięli

Literally "the turkey was thinking about Sunday, but on Saturday they cut off its head." Means that making plans too far …

Inna bajka

Literally "a different fairy tale / a different story." Means a completely different matter or situation — "that's a …

Inna para kaloszy

Literally "a different pair of galoshes." Means a completely different matter — used to draw a distinction between two …

Inna sprawa

Literally "another matter." Means "that's a different story" or "that's beside the point" — used to set aside a topic or …

Innym razem

Literally "another time." Used to politely defer or decline — "some other time" or "maybe next time." Can be genuine or …

Innymi słowy

Literally "with other words." The standard Polish phrase for "in other words" — used to restate or clarify something …

Insza inszość

Literally "another otherness." A deliberately vague, dismissive expression meaning "that's a whole other thing" or …

Ironia losu

Literally "the irony of fate." Used when life produces an outcome that is the opposite of what was expected or intended …

Iskierka nadziei

Literally "a little spark of hope." Used to describe a small but real glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation — …

Iść do piachu

Literally "to go into the sand." A colloquial euphemism for dying — "to kick the bucket," "to bite the dust."

Iść jak krew z nosa

Literally "to go like blood from a nose." Describes something that progresses extremely slowly and painfully — like …

Iść jak po grudzie

Literally "to go as if on frozen clods of earth." Describes something that is going very badly, with great difficulty — …

Iść jak z płatka

Literally "to go like a petal." Means to go smoothly, effortlessly — when something works out perfectly without any …

Iść na bandos

Colloquial/slang. Means to go all out, act aggressively or recklessly, without restraint — "to go hard," "to go beast …

Iść na całość

Literally "to go for the whole thing." Means to go all in, commit fully, hold nothing back — the Polish equivalent of …

Iść na konto

Literally "to go to someone's account." Means to be attributed to someone, to count as someone's doing — "to be chalked …

Iść na łatwiznę

Literally "to go for the easy way." Means to take the path of least resistance, to cut corners or avoid effort — "to …

Iść na marne

Literally "to go to waste." Means that effort, time, or resources are lost for nothing — "to go to waste," "to come to …

Iść na rachunek

Literally "to go on the bill/tab." Means something will be counted against someone or added to their tab — either …

Iść na rękę

Literally "to go to someone's hand." Means to accommodate someone, to do them a favour, to make things easier for them — …

Iść na udry

Literally "to go at each other's thighs." Means to come to blows, to clash violently — to get into a serious fight or …

Iść na żywioł

Literally "to go with the element / to go wild." Means to act spontaneously, without a plan, letting instinct or emotion …

Iść o zakład

Literally "to go for a bet." Means to make a bet, to wager — "I bet you that…" Used when someone is so confident they're …

Iść po trupach

Literally "to walk over corpses." Means to stop at nothing to achieve one's goals, to ruthlessly trample over others — …

Iść swoimi ścieżkami

Literally "to walk one's own paths." Means to go one's own way, to do things independently without following others — …

Iść w diabły

Literally "to go to the devils." Means to go to hell, to go to ruin — used to dismiss someone angrily or to describe …

Iść w zaparte

Literally "to go into denial." Means to stubbornly deny something, to flatly refuse to admit the truth even when faced …

Iść z duchem czasu

Literally "to go with the spirit of the time." Means to keep up with the times, to stay current and adapt to modern …

Iść z dymem

Literally "to go up in smoke." Means to be completely destroyed, burned down, or lost — "to go up in flames." Can be …

Iść z prądem

Literally "to go with the current." Means to go along with the majority, to follow the crowd rather than resist — "to go …

Iść z torbami

Literally "to go with bags." Means to go bankrupt, to be ruined financially — "to go bust," "to end up with nothing but …

Iść za przykładem

Literally "to follow an example." Means to follow someone's lead, to do as someone else has done — "to follow suit," "to …

Izba wytrzeźwień

Literally "sobering chamber." The Polish drunk tank — a facility where intoxicated people are held until sober. A very …

Ja ci dam!

Literally "I'll give you!" Means "I'll give you what for!" — a threatening exclamation used when someone has done …

Ja ci pokażę!

Literally "I'll show you!" A threatening exclamation meaning you'll face consequences — used when someone has …

Ja cię kręcę!

Literally "I'm spinning you!" A mild exclamation of surprise, disbelief, or amazement — the Polish equivalent of "no …

Ja pierniczę!

Literally "I'm gingerbread-ing!" A euphemistic expletive expressing strong surprise, frustration, or disbelief — one of …

Jabłko niezgody

Literally "the apple of discord." Refers to something that causes conflict or argument between people — a bone of …

Jadło i chodło

Literally "food and walking around." A humorous, slightly old-fashioned way to describe someone who does nothing useful …

Jajko Kolumba

Literally "Columbus's egg." Refers to a solution that seems obvious in hindsight but required creative thinking to …

Jajko mądrzejsze od kury

Literally "the egg is smarter than the hen." Said when a younger or less experienced person tries to lecture or correct …

Jak amen w pacierzu

Literally "like amen in a prayer." Means something is absolutely certain, inevitable — as sure as the amen at the end of …

Jak babcię kocham

Literally "as I love my grandma." A colloquial oath used to swear something is true — "I swear on my grandma's life," …

Jak Boga kocham

Literally "as I love God." A stronger oath than 'jak babcię kocham' — used to swear absolute truth. "I swear to God," …

Jak Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

Literally "when God wants to punish someone, He takes away their reason first." Said of someone acting foolishly or …

Jak Bóg daj

Literally "as God gives / God willing." An expression of hope or wish for something good — "hopefully," "God willing," …

Jak Bóg przykazał

Literally "as God commanded." Means done properly, correctly, the right way — "by the book," "as it should be done."

Jak by nie było

Literally "however it may be." Means in any case, regardless — "either way," "be that as it may," "anyway."

Jak by nie patrzeć

Literally "however you look at it." Means no matter how you consider the situation, the conclusion is the same — "any …

Jak cholera

Literally "like cholera." Used as an intensifier — "like hell," "like crazy," "incredibly." Can modify speed, pain, …

Jak ciepłe bułeczki

Literally "like warm bread rolls." Means something sells or goes extremely fast — "like hotcakes." "Sprzedaje się jak …

Jak ciepłe bułeczki

Literally "like warm little rolls." Means selling like hot cakes — something that disappears very quickly because …

Jak cię widzą, tak cię piszą

Literally "as they see you, so they write you." Means you are judged by your appearance and first impressions — "you …

Jak człowiek

Literally "like a person / like a human being." Means properly, decently, like a civilised person — used to urge someone …

Jak diabli

Literally "like the devils." Used as a strong intensifier — "like hell," "terribly," "incredibly." Similar to 'jak …

Jak dwie krople wody

Literally "like two drops of water." Means two things or people are identical, indistinguishable — "like two peas in a …

Jak gdyby nigdy nic

Literally "as if nothing had ever happened." Describes someone acting completely normally after something significant or …

Jak groch o ścianę

Literally "like peas against a wall." Describes words or advice that have absolutely no effect on someone — bouncing off …

Jak grom z jasnego nieba

Literally "like thunder from a clear sky." Describes something completely unexpected, a total shock — "like a bolt from …

Jak grzyby po deszczu

Literally "like mushrooms after rain." Describes something that appears suddenly and in large numbers — spreading …

Jak Himilsbach z angielskim

Literally "like Himilsbach with English." Said of someone who has absolutely no knowledge of or aptitude for something — …

Jak jasna cholera

Literally "like bright cholera." A common intensifier expressing frustration, emphasis, or exasperation — the Polish …

Jak kamfora

Literally "like camphor." Means to vanish completely and suddenly — camphor evaporates quickly without a trace. "To …

Jak kamień w wodę

Literally "like a stone into water." Describes someone or something that disappears without a trace — sinks and is never …

Jak krew z nosa

Literally "like blood from a nose." Means with great difficulty, as if squeezing blood from a stone — used when …

Jak ktoś chce psa uderzyć, to kij zawsze znajdzie

Literally "if someone wants to hit a dog, they'll always find a stick." Means that someone determined to find fault or …

Jak Kuba Bogu, tak Bóg Kubie

Literally "as Kuba treats God, so God treats Kuba." Means you get what you give — treat others badly and you'll be …

Jak kura pazurem

Literally "like a hen with its claw." Describes terrible, illegible handwriting — "like chicken scratch."

Jak leci

Literally "as it flies / as it goes." Means in order, one after another, or just as things come — "as it comes," "in …

Jak malowany

Literally "like painted." Describes someone who looks strikingly handsome or beautiful — "like a picture," …

Jak masz na imię?

Literally "what do you have as a name?" The standard Polish way to ask someone's first name — "what's your name?"

Jak mi Bóg miły

Literally "as God is dear to me." A solemn oath meaning "I swear to God," "as God is my witness." Used to emphasise that …

Jak młody bóg

Literally "like a young god." Means looking or feeling absolutely magnificent — full of energy, health, and vitality. …

Jak mówią

Literally "as they say." Used to introduce a well-known saying, common wisdom, or a phrase you're quoting from general …

Jak mrówków

Literally "like ants (genitive plural)." Means there are huge numbers of something or someone — "swarming," "tons of …

Jak mucha w smole

Literally "like a fly in tar." Describes someone stuck, unable to move or make progress — bogged down completely. "Stuck …

Jak na dłoni

Literally "like on the palm of a hand." Means something is completely clear, visible, or obvious — laid out plainly for …

Jak na lekarstwo

Literally "like medicine." Means there is very little of something — just a tiny amount, as if measured out in medicinal …

Jak na skrzydłach

Literally "as if on wings." Describes moving or feeling with great lightness, joy, or speed — "on cloud nine," "walking …

Jak na spowiedzi

Literally "as if at confession." Means to tell everything honestly and completely, holding nothing back — "to come …

Jak na szpilkach

Literally "as if on pins." Describes being extremely nervous, restless, or impatient — unable to sit still. "On pins and …

Jak na zamówienie

Literally "as if made to order." Means something happened at exactly the right moment or in exactly the right way — …

Jak najbardziej

Literally "as much as possible / absolutely." Used as a strong affirmative — "absolutely," "by all means," "definitely …

Jak należy

Literally "as it is due / as it should be." Means properly, correctly, as expected — "properly," "as it ought to be …

Jak nic

Literally "like nothing." Means very easily, without any effort — "no problem," "easy as anything," "just like that." …

Jak nie potrafisz, nie pchaj się na afisz

Literally "if you can't do it, don't push yourself onto the poster." Means don't seek the spotlight or volunteer for …

Jak nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze

Literally "when you don't know what it's about, it's about money." A cynical but widely-shared observation that money is …

Jak nowo narodzony

Literally "like newly born." Means feeling completely refreshed, renewed, full of energy — "like a new person," "born …

Jak Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

Literally "when God wants to punish someone, He takes away their reason." Means that foolish behaviour is itself a form …

Jak Pan Bóg przykazał

Literally "as the Lord God commanded." Means properly, perfectly, exactly as it should be — done to the highest …

Jak pączek w maśle

Literally "like a doughnut in butter." Means living in great comfort and luxury, wanting for nothing — "living the life …

Jak psu z gardła wyjęty

Literally "as if pulled from a dog's throat." Describes something in terrible condition — dirty, mangled, disgusting. …

Jak rak świśnie a ryba piśnie

Literally "when the crayfish whistles and the fish squeaks." Means never — something that will never happen because it …

Jak ręką odjął

Literally "as if someone took it away by hand." Means something (usually pain or a problem) disappeared instantly and …

Jak rzep psiego ogona

Literally "like a bur on a dog's tail." Describes someone who clings persistently and annoyingly — impossible to shake …

Jak się chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie

Literally "if you want to hit a dog, you'll find a stick." Means that if someone wants to find fault or cause harm, …

Jak się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

Literally "when a person hurries, the devil rejoices." Means rushing leads to mistakes — haste makes waste. The devil is …

Jak się masz?

Literally "how do you have yourself?" The standard Polish greeting meaning "how are you?" — used between people who know …

Jak się nie ma, co się lubi, to się lubi, co się ma

Literally "if you don't have what you like, you like what you have." Means making the best of what's available — "if you …

Jak słoń w składzie porcelany

Literally "like an elephant in a porcelain shop." Describes someone who is clumsy, tactless, or causes chaos wherever …

Jak sobie chcesz

Literally "as you wish for yourself." Means "as you like," "suit yourself," or "whatever you want" — expressing …

Jak sobie pościelesz, tak się wyśpisz

Literally "how you make your bed, so you shall sleep." You must live with the consequences of your own choices — "you …

Jak sto diabłów

Literally "like a hundred devils." A strong intensifier — "like hell," "like crazy," with great force or speed. E.g. …

Jak stróż w Boże Ciało

Literally "like a watchman on Corpus Christi." Describes someone who is completely idle, doing absolutely nothing — …

Jak szczur na otwarcie kanału

Literally "like a rat to the opening of a sewer." Describes someone who shows up eagerly wherever there is something to …

Jak szwajcarski zegarek

Literally "like a Swiss watch." Means working with perfect precision and reliability — "like clockwork."

Jak śledzie w beczce

Literally "like herrings in a barrel." Describes a space that is extremely crowded — people packed in tightly with no …

Jak świeże bułeczki

Literally "like fresh bread rolls." A variant of 'jak ciepłe bułeczki' — means something sells or disappears extremely …

Jak ta lala

Literally "like that doll." Means looking perfect, dressed up beautifully, or done up to the nines — like a perfectly …

Jak to mówią

Literally "as they say." A discourse marker used to introduce a well-known saying, proverb, or common expression — "as …

Jak trwoga, to do Boga

Literally "when there's fear, it's to God." Means people only turn to God (or ask for help) when they're in trouble — …

Jak trzeba

Literally "as it should be / as needed." Means properly, correctly, the right way — used to confirm that something was …

Jak tylko

Literally "as only / as soon as." Means "as soon as" — introducing a condition that triggers an immediate result. …

Jak u Pana Boga za piecem

Literally "like behind God's stove." Means living in perfect comfort, warmth, and safety — sheltered from all troubles. …

Jak ulał

Literally "as if cast/moulded." Means something fits perfectly — like a garment made to measure or a solution that is …

Jak ulany

Literally "as if cast/moulded." Means fits perfectly — like something was custom-made or cast specifically for the …

Jak w banku

Literally "as in a bank." Means absolutely certain, guaranteed, as sure as money in the bank — you can count on it …

Jak w zegarku

Literally "like in a watch/clock." Means like clockwork — running perfectly, precisely, and reliably without any …

Jak woda

Literally "like water." Used in several ways: something flows easily and naturally, or money/resources disappear fast …

Jak z bata strzelił

Literally "like a whip crack." Means instantly, in a flash — something happened with the sudden speed and sharpness of a …

Jak z bicza strzelił

Literally "like a crack of a whip." Describes something done instantly, sharply, and with precision — snapping into …

Jak z koziego ogona waltornia

Literally "like a French horn made from a goat's tail." Means something is completely absurd, impossible, or utterly …

Jak z koziej dupy trąbka

Literally "like a trumpet from a goat's backside." Describes something that sounds terrible, is completely out of tune, …

Jak z obrazka

Literally "like from a picture." Means looking perfect, beautiful, or ideally presented — "picture-perfect," "like …

Jak za dotknięciem czarodziejskiej różdżki

Literally "as if by the touch of a magic wand." Means something happened instantly and miraculously — "as if by magic," …

Jak zbity pies

Literally "like a beaten dog." Describes someone who looks or acts dejected, ashamed, and submissive — tail between …

Jak zdarta płyta

Literally "like a scratched record." Describes someone who keeps repeating the same thing over and over — "like a broken …

Jak znalazł

Literally "as if found." Means something is exactly right for the situation, perfectly suited — "just the thing," "just …

Jak zwał, tak zwał

Literally "call it what you will." Means the name doesn't matter — whatever you call it, it's the same thing. "Call it …

Jak żyję

Literally "as long as I live / in all my life." Used to emphasise that something is unprecedented in one's experience — …

Jak żywy

Literally "as if alive." Describes a depiction, memory, or image so vivid it seems real — "lifelike," "as vivid as life …

Jaka praca, taka płaca

Literally "such work, such pay." Means you get what you pay for — or that the reward matches the effort put in. Works …

Jakby co

Literally "if anything / if something." Means "just in case" or "if anything comes up" — a casual way of saying that if …

Jakby nigdy nic

Literally "as if nothing ever happened." Means to carry on as if nothing occurred — to act completely normally after …

Jakby tego było mało

Literally "as if that weren't enough." Used to introduce yet another problem or complication on top of existing ones — …

Jaki ojciec, taki syn

Literally "like father, like son." Means a son resembles or takes after his father in character or behaviour — the apple …

Jakim cudem

Literally "by what miracle." An exclamation of disbelief — "how on earth," "by what miracle," "how in the world did that …

Jakim prawem

Literally "by what right." An indignant challenge — "by what right," "who gave you the right," "on what authority."

Jakimś cudem

Literally "by some miracle." Means somehow, against all odds — used when something happened that seemed unlikely or …

Jako tako

Literally "as so-so." Means just about adequately, barely satisfactorily — "so-so," "passably," "well enough." Often …

Jakoś to będzie

Literally "somehow it will be." A very Polish expression of relaxed optimism or resigned hope — "it'll work out …

Jaskółcze ziele

Literally "swallow's herb." The Polish name for celandine (Chelidonium majus) — a plant traditionally believed to bloom …

Jaskółczy ogon

Literally "swallow's tail." Refers to the distinctive forked tail shape of a swallow — used in Polish to describe …

Jasna rzecz

Literally "a clear thing." Means "of course," "obviously," or "naturally" — used to confirm something self-evident or to …

Jasna sprawa

Literally "a clear matter." Means obviously, of course, it goes without saying — "clear as day," "obviously," "sure …

Jasne, jasne

Literally "clear, clear." A casual, slightly dismissive way of saying "sure, sure" or "yeah, yeah" — acknowledging what …

Jechać do Rygi

Literally "to go to Riga." A humorous euphemism for vomiting — used to avoid saying something more direct or vulgar when …

Jechać po bandzie

Literally "to drive along the edge/barrier." Means to push the limits, to operate right at the boundary of what's …

Jeden ciul / jeden pies

Literally "one and the same thing." Used to say two options are identical, it makes no difference which you choose — …

Jeden czort

Literally "one devil." Means it's all the same, it makes no difference — one option is just as bad or just as good as …

Jeden jedyny

Literally "one and only." An emphatic way to say there is only one — absolutely unique, the sole example. "One and …

Jeden za drugim

Literally "one after another." Describes a sequence of things or people following in succession — "one by one," "one …

Jedna jaskółka wiosny nie czyni

Literally "one swallow does not make a spring." Means a single positive sign is not enough to conclude that things have …

Jednostrzałowiec

Literally "one-shot man." Describes someone who only has one chance, one attempt, or one good idea in them — a one-trick …

Jednym ciągiem

Literally "in one pull/stretch." Means continuously, without stopping, all in one go — "in one go," "straight through," …

Jednym słowem

Literally "in one word." A discourse marker meaning "in short," "in a word," "to sum up" — used to introduce a brief …

Jednym tchem

Literally "in one breath." Means said or done all at once without pausing — "in one breath," "without drawing breath." …

Jedwabny Szlak

The Silk Road — the ancient network of trade routes connecting China and Central Asia to Europe. Used in Polish both …

Jedyny w swoim rodzaju

Literally "the only one of its kind." Means unique, one of a kind, unlike anything else — "one of a kind," "sui …

Jedzie mi tu czołg?

Literally "Is there a tank rolling through here?" Said while pulling down one's lower eyelid and looking at the other …

Jesień życia

Literally "the autumn of life." A poetic metaphor for old age — the later years of life, when things slow down and the …

Jestem głodny

Literally "I am hungry." The basic, essential phrase for expressing hunger in Polish. One of the first sentences any …

Jeszcze czego

Literally "what else / of all things." An indignant refusal or expression of disbelief — "no way," "certainly not," "the …

Jeszcze jak

Literally "and how / you bet." A strong affirmation — "absolutely," "you bet," "and how!" Used to enthusiastically …

Jeśli chodzi o

Literally "if it comes to / as far as … goes." One of the most common Polish discourse markers — "as for," "when it …

Jeśli łaska

Literally "if it's a grace/favour." Means "if you please," "if you don't mind," or "if it's not too much trouble" — a …

Jeśli o to chodzi

Literally "if that's what it's about." Means "if that's the point," "if that's what you mean," or "as far as that goes" …

Jeśli się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

Literally "if a person hurries, the devil rejoices." Means haste makes waste — rushing leads to mistakes, and the devil …

Jeśli wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one

Literally "if you go among crows, you must caw like them." The Polish equivalent of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" …

Jezu Chryste

Literally "Jesus Christ." Used as an exclamation of shock, disbelief, or exasperation — identical in function to the …

Jeżeli chodzi o

Literally "if it goes about / if it concerns." Means "as far as X is concerned," "regarding," or "when it comes to" — …

Języczek u wagi

Literally "the little tongue of the scales." Refers to the small pointer on a balance scale that shows which side is …

Język mieć na wierzchu

Literally "to have one's tongue on top / hanging out." Means to be exhausted, out of breath, running on empty — so tired …

Język teściowej

Literally "mother-in-law's tongue." The Polish name for the snake plant (Sansevieria) — a common houseplant with long, …

Już piątek? Już poniedziałek.

"Already Friday? Already Monday." Captures the feeling that weekends disappear instantly.

Już po ptakach

Literally "already after the birds." Means it's too late — the opportunity has passed and nothing can be done about it …

Już się robi

Literally "it's already being done / consider it done." A very common Polish response to a request, meaning "on it," …

Kac moralny

Literally "moral hangover." Describes the feeling of guilt, shame, or regret after doing something wrong — not from …

Kaczka dziennikarska

Literally "journalistic duck." Means a false news story, a hoax, or a fabricated report — "a canard," "a press duck," …

Kaczy kuper

Literally "duck's rump." Describes a hairstyle where the hair at the back is styled to curl upward like a duck's tail — …

Kalendarzyk małżeński

Literally "the little marriage calendar." Refers to the rhythm method of natural family planning — tracking fertile days …

Kamień filozoficzny

Literally "the philosopher's stone." The legendary alchemical substance said to turn base metals into gold and grant …

Kamień milowy

Literally "milestone." Used both literally (a roadside marker) and figuratively for a significant achievement or turning …

Kamień szlachetny

Literally "noble stone." The standard Polish term for a gemstone or precious stone — used both literally and …

Kamień węgielny

Literally "cornerstone." The foundational stone of a building — used figuratively for the fundamental basis of …

Kandydat na ołtarze

Literally "a candidate for the altars." Means someone who is being considered for sainthood, or more commonly, someone …

Kangurzy sąd

Literally "kangaroo court." Means a mock trial or a biased, irregular proceeding where the outcome is predetermined — a …

Kapuściana głowa

Literally "cabbage head." An insult for someone who is stupid or dim-witted — "blockhead," "cabbage head," "numbskull."

Karma wraca

Literally "karma comes back." Means what goes around comes around — your actions, good or bad, will return to you. Used …

Karmić trola

Literally "to feed the troll." Means to engage with an internet troll, giving them the attention and reaction they seek …

Karta przetargowa

Literally "bargaining card." Means a trump card or leverage in negotiations — something you hold in reserve to gain an …

Kawa na ławę

Literally "coffee on the bench/table." Means to lay everything out plainly and directly, without beating around the bush …

Każda potwora znajdzie amatora

Literally "every monster will find an admirer." Means there is someone for everyone — no matter how strange or …

Każda potwora znajdzie swojego amatora

Literally "every monster will find its fan." Means there's someone for everyone — no matter how strange, ugly, or …

Każdy jest kowalem swojego losu

Literally "everyone is the blacksmith of their own fate." Means you are responsible for shaping your own destiny — …

Każdy jest kowalem własnego losu

Literally "everyone is the blacksmith of their own fate." Means you are the master of your own destiny — your life is …

Każdy kij ma dwa końce

Literally "every stick has two ends." Means there are two sides to every story, or every action has both positive and …

Każdy orze, jak może

Literally "everyone ploughs as best they can." Means everyone does things in their own way, with the means and abilities …

Każdy sobie rzepkę skrobie

Literally "everyone scrapes their own turnip." Means everyone looks out for themselves, minds their own business — …

Kiedy przychodzi co do czego

Literally "when it comes to what comes to what." Means when it really matters, when push comes to shove — "when it comes …

Kiedy przyjdzie co do czego

Literally "when it comes to what to what." Means when push comes to shove — when the moment of truth arrives and things …

Kiedy wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one

Literally "when you enter among crows, you must caw like them." Means when you join a group, you must adapt to their …

Kiełbasa wyborcza

Literally "electoral sausage." Refers to cheap promises or handouts made by politicians before elections to win votes — …

Kiełbasa wyborcza

Literally "electoral sausage." Refers to empty campaign promises — cheap gifts, handouts, or populist pledges made by …

Kiszki marsza grają

Literally "the guts are playing a march." Means your stomach is growling loudly from hunger — "my stomach is rumbling," …

Klamka zapadła

Literally "the door handle has clicked shut." Means a decision has been made and cannot be undone — the door is closed, …

Kląć jak szewc

Literally "to swear like a cobbler." Means to curse constantly and colourfully — "to swear like a trooper," "to curse …

Klątwa faraona

Literally "the pharaoh's curse." Refers to the supposed curse on those who disturb ancient Egyptian tombs — used …

Klepać biedę

Literally "to pat poverty." Means to live in poverty, to scrape by with very little — "to be dirt poor," "to struggle to …

Klękajcie narody

Literally "kneel, nations." An ironic exclamation used when someone is showing off or boasting excessively — "bow down, …

Klęska głodu

Literally "disaster of hunger." The standard Polish term for a famine — used both historically and figuratively for any …

Klęska urodzaju

Literally "disaster of abundance." The paradox of having too much of something — an overabundance that becomes a …

Klocek hamulcowy

Literally "brake block/pad." Used figuratively for a person or thing that slows everything down, blocks progress, or …

Klub wzajemnej adoracji

Literally "mutual admiration club." Describes a group of people who only praise each other and are blind to each other's …

Klucz nastawny

Literally "adjustable key/wrench." The Polish term for an adjustable spanner or monkey wrench. Used figuratively for a …

Klucz szwedzki

Literally "Swedish key." The Polish name for an adjustable spanner or monkey wrench — a versatile tool that can fit many …

Klucz wiolinowy

Literally "violin key." The treble clef in music notation — the symbol placed at the beginning of a staff to indicate …

Kłamać jak z nut

Literally "to lie as if reading from sheet music." Means to lie fluently, effortlessly, and convincingly — "to lie …

Kłamstwo ma krótkie nogi

Literally "lies have short legs." Means a lie won't take you far — it will be caught sooner or later.

Kłaniam się

Literally "I bow." A formal, old-fashioned greeting or farewell — "I bow to you," used as a polite hello or goodbye, …

Kłaść akcent

Literally "to place an accent/emphasis." Means to emphasise something, to stress a particular point — "to put the …

Kłaść akcent

Literally "to place an accent/stress." Means to place emphasis on something — to highlight, stress, or draw attention to …

Kłaść głowę pod topór

Literally "to lay one's head under the axe." Means to take a great personal risk, to put oneself in serious danger — "to …

Kłaść kreskę

Literally "to put a line/mark." Means to mark something down, to keep a tally — often of debts, drinks owed, or favours. …

Kłaść lachę

Literally "to lay a rag on something." Means to not care at all about something, to dismiss it completely — "to not give …

Kłaść lachę

Literally "to lay a rag." Means to not give a damn, to not care at all — to dismiss something completely with total …

Kłaść na karb

Literally "to put on the tally/notch." Means to chalk something up to, to attribute something to a cause — to assign …

Kłaść na łopatki

Literally "to put on the shoulder blades." Means to defeat someone completely, to pin them down — "to floor someone," …

Kłaść na łopatki

Literally "to put on the shoulder blades." Means to pin someone to the mat, to defeat them completely — to overcome an …

Kłaść na serce

Literally "to lay on the heart." Means to urge sincerely, to impress something upon someone — to appeal to someone's …

Kłaść na sercu

Literally "to lay on the heart." Means to impress something strongly on someone, to urge them to take something …

Kłaść na stół

Literally "to put on the table." Means to table something, to put a proposal or offer on the table — to present …

Kłaść nacisk

Literally "to lay pressure/emphasis." Means to emphasise, to stress, to insist on something — "to put pressure on," "to …

Kłaść nacisk

Literally "to place pressure." Means to emphasise, to stress, to put pressure on — used both for highlighting a point …

Kłaść pokotem

Literally "to lay in rows/flat out." Means to knock down many people or things at once — to floor them all, to defeat …

Kłaść się cieniem

Literally "to lie as a shadow." Means to cast a shadow over something, to have a dark or negative influence on a …

Kłaść się do trumny

Literally "to lie down in a coffin." Means to be so exhausted, ill, or distressed that one feels close to death — "to be …

Kłaść się Rejtanem

Literally "to lie down like Rejtan." Means to make a dramatic, desperate protest — throwing oneself down to block …

Kłaść się Rejtanem

Literally "to lie down like Rejtan." Means to make a dramatic, desperate last stand — to throw yourself in the way of …

Kłaść trupem

Literally "to lay as a corpse." Means to kill or knock down — to floor someone completely, to strike them dead. Used …

Kłaść uszy po sobie

Literally "to lay one's ears back." Means to become submissive, to back down, to tuck one's tail between one's legs — …

Kłaść uszy po sobie

Literally "to lay one's ears back along oneself." Means to cower, to shrink back submissively — like a dog flattening …

Kłaść w uszy

Literally "to put into ears." Means to whisper something into someone's ear, to plant an idea or rumour — "to put ideas …

Kłębek nerwów

Literally "a ball of nerves." Describes someone who is extremely anxious, tense, and wound up — "a bundle of nerves."

Kobieta fatalna

Literally "fatal woman." The Polish term for a femme fatale — a dangerously seductive woman who leads men to their ruin. …

Kobieta lekkich obyczajów

Literally "a woman of easy morals." A euphemism for a promiscuous woman or a prostitute — "a woman of loose morals," "a …

Kochający inaczej

Literally "loving differently." A Polish euphemism for gay or LGBTQ+ people — "those who love differently." Used both …

Kocham cię

Literally "I love you." The most important three words in Polish — a direct, heartfelt declaration of love.

Kocie łby

Literally "cat heads." The Polish term for cobblestones — the large, rounded paving stones used on old streets. Named …

Kociołek Panoramiksa

Literally "Panoramix's cauldron." Refers to a magic potion or solution that fixes everything — a miraculous remedy or …

Kod kreskowy

Literally "bar code." The standard Polish term for a barcode. Used figuratively for anything that looks like a series of …

Kokosowy interes

Literally "coconut business." Means a very profitable deal or venture — "a goldmine," "a lucrative business," "a sweet …

Kolega po pędzlu

Literally "colleague by the brush." Means a fellow painter or artist — someone who shares the same craft or profession. …

Kolos na glinianych nogach

Literally "a colossus on clay feet." Describes something that appears powerful and impressive but has a fundamental …

Koło fortuny

Literally "wheel of fortune." The ancient symbol of fate's unpredictability — fortune raises some up and brings others …

Koło ratunkowe

Literally "rescue wheel / life ring." Both the literal lifebuoy thrown to drowning people and a figurative lifeline — …

Koło zamachowe

Literally "flywheel." Both the mechanical flywheel that stores rotational energy and a figurative driving force — the …

Kombinować jak koń pod górę

Literally "to scheme like a horse going uphill." Means to struggle and strain to find a solution, to rack one's brains — …

Koncert życzeń

Literally "concert of wishes." A request programme — originally a radio/TV format where listeners dedicate songs. Used …

Konflikt serologiczny

Literally "serological conflict." The medical term for Rh incompatibility between a mother and foetus — used …

Konia kują, żaba nogę podstawia

Literally "they're shoeing a horse, and the frog sticks out its leg." Means someone insignificant tries to imitate or …

Konia z rzędem

Literally "a horse with its harness." Used to challenge someone — "I'll give a horse and harness to whoever can do X." …

Konia z rzędem temu, kto…

Literally "a horse with harness to whoever…" Means a prize or reward to anyone who can do something — implying it's so …

Koniec i kropka

Literally "end and full stop." Means that's the end of it, case closed, no further discussion — an emphatic declaration …

Koniec końców

Literally "end of ends." Means in the end, ultimately, when all is said and done — "at the end of the day," …

Koniec świata

Literally "end of the world." Used both literally (apocalypse) and as a hyperbolic exclamation — "it's not the end of …

Koniec tego dobrego

Literally "end of this good thing." Means a pleasant situation is over — the fun is done, the good times have ended. …

Koniec, kropka

Literally "end, period (full stop)." The Polish equivalent of "end of story, period." Used to signal that a decision is …

Konkurs piękności

Literally "beauty contest." Used both literally and ironically — when something is described as 'not a beauty contest', …

Koń by się uśmiał

Literally "even a horse would laugh." Means something is so absurd or ridiculous that it would make even a horse laugh — …

Koń mechaniczny

Literally "mechanical horse." A colloquial Polish term for a motorcycle or moped — "iron horse," "mechanical steed."

Koń trojański

Literally "Trojan horse." A deceptive strategy where something harmful is concealed inside something seemingly …

Kończ waść, wstydu oszczędź

Literally "finish, sir, spare yourself the shame." A famous line from Henryk Sienkiewicz's 'Potop' — said when someone …

Końska dawka

Literally "horse dose." Means an enormous amount — a dose so large it would be appropriate for a horse. "A massive …

Końskie zdrowie

Literally "horse health." Means robust, iron-clad health — the kind of constitution that never gets sick. "The health of …

Kopać leżącego

Literally "to kick someone who is lying down." Means to attack or criticise someone who is already down and defenceless …

Kopać się z koniem

Literally "to kick-fight with a horse." Means to take on an opponent far stronger than yourself, to fight a losing …

Kopać w stolik

Literally "to kick the little table." Means to flip the table — to reject the rules of a game or negotiation entirely, …

Kopalnia złota

Literally "gold mine." Used both literally and figuratively for an extremely valuable source of something — "a …

Kopę lat

Literally "a heap of years." Means a very long time — "ages," "donkey's years," "it's been forever." E.g. "nie widziałem …

Kopnąć w kalendarz

Literally "to kick the calendar." A colloquial euphemism for dying — "to kick the bucket," "to croak."

Korona z głowy nie spada

Literally "the crown won't fall from your head." Means doing something won't diminish you or hurt your dignity — used to …

Korona z głowy nie spadnie

Literally "the crown won't fall off your head." Means it won't kill you, it won't hurt your dignity — used to tell …

Koronowana głowa

Literally "crowned head." Refers to a monarch or sovereign — a king, queen, or emperor. Used both literally and …

Kosmate myśli

Literally "hairy/shaggy thoughts." Means dirty, lewd, or indecent thoughts — "naughty thoughts," "dirty mind."

Koszula Dejaniry

Literally "the shirt of Deianira." A gift that destroys the recipient — something given with good intentions that causes …

Kości zostały rzucone

Literally "the dice have been cast." Means a decision has been made and cannot be undone — there is no going back. The …

Kościany dziadek

Literally "bony old man." An affectionate or humorous term for a very thin, bony old man — a bag of bones. Also used as …

Kość niezgody

Literally "bone of discord." Refers to something that causes conflict between people — a bone of contention. Similar to …

Kozioł ofiarny

Literally "sacrificial goat." The scapegoat — someone who is blamed for the mistakes or sins of others and made to bear …

Kółko i krzyżyk

Literally "circle and cross." The Polish name for tic-tac-toe (noughts and crosses). Used figuratively for any …

Kółko wzajemnej adoracji

Literally "a circle of mutual admiration." Means a mutual admiration society — a group of people who constantly praise …

Kradzione nie tuczy

Literally "stolen things don't fatten you." Means ill-gotten gains don't bring real benefit — what you steal or obtain …

Kraina mlekiem i miodem płynąca

Literally "a land flowing with milk and honey." Describes a place of abundance, prosperity, and plenty — paradise on …

Kraina wiecznych łowów

Literally "the land of eternal hunts." The Native American concept of the Happy Hunting Ground — used in Polish as a …

Kraj mlekiem i miodem płynący

Literally "a land flowing with milk and honey." Means a land of abundance and prosperity — a place where everything is …

Krakowskim targiem

Literally "by Kraków bargain." Means splitting the difference, meeting halfway — a compromise where both sides give a …

Kraść show

Literally "to steal the show." Means to outshine everyone else at an event, to attract all the attention — identical to …

Krążyć po głowie

Literally "to circle around in the head." Means a thought, idea, or tune keeps coming back — going round and round in …

Krecia robota

Literally "mole's work." Describes secretive, underground activity aimed at undermining something from within — …

Kredyt zaufania

Literally "credit of trust." Means the benefit of the doubt — a degree of trust extended to someone before they have …

Krew nie woda

Literally "blood is not water." Means family ties are strong and binding — you can't simply ignore or abandon your own …

Krewni i znajomi Królika

Literally "Rabbit's relatives and friends." From A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh — used ironically to describe a large, …

Kręcić lody

Literally "to churn ice cream." Means to scheme, to run a shady operation, to be up to something dodgy — "to be cooking …

Kręcić nosem

Literally "to turn one's nose." Means to be fussy, to turn one's nose up at something, to express dissatisfaction or …

Kręcić powróz na swoją szyję

Literally "to twist a rope for one's own neck." Means to dig your own grave — to take actions that will ultimately harm …

Kręcić stryczek na własną szyję

Literally "to twist a noose for one's own neck." Means to create problems for oneself, to dig one's own grave — acting …

Krok po kroku

Literally "step by step." Means gradually, one step at a time — "step by step," "little by little."

Krokodyle łzy

Literally "crocodile tears." Insincere tears or false grief — crying to manipulate others while feeling no genuine …

Kropla drąży kamień

Literally "a drop wears away the stone." Means persistent, repeated effort eventually overcomes even the hardest …

Kropla drąży skałę

Literally "a drop wears away stone." Means that persistent, repeated effort eventually overcomes even the hardest …

Kropla w morzu

Literally "a drop in the sea." Means an insignificantly small amount compared to what is needed — "a drop in the ocean." …

Kropla w morzu potrzeb

Literally "a drop in the sea of needs." Means a drop in the ocean — a contribution so small relative to the need that it …

Kropla, która przelała czarę

Literally "the drop that overflowed the cup." The final straw — the last small thing that causes a situation to reach …

Krowa, która dużo ryczy, mało mleka daje

Literally "the cow that moos a lot gives little milk." Means those who talk the most often do the least — "empty vessels …

Krowi placek

Literally "cow's pancake." A colloquial term for a cow pat — a flat disc of cow dung. Used figuratively for anything …

Król zwierząt

Literally "king of animals." The lion — used both literally and figuratively for whoever dominates a particular domain. …

Król życia

Literally "king of life." Describes someone who lives extravagantly, enjoys every pleasure, and acts as if the world …

Królestwo za konia

Literally "a kingdom for a horse." Means willing to give everything for something desperately needed in a critical …

Królik doświadczalny

Literally "experimental rabbit." A guinea pig — someone used as a test subject, often without full consent. "A guinea …

Krótka kołdra

Literally "short blanket." Describes a situation where resources are insufficient to cover all needs — if you pull the …

Krótka piłka

Literally "short ball." Means something is simple and straightforward — no complications, no room for manoeuvre. "Short …

Krótko mówiąc

Literally "speaking briefly." A discourse marker meaning "in short," "to put it briefly," "long story short." Used to …

Kruk krukowi oka nie wykole

Literally "a crow won't poke out another crow's eye." Means people of the same group protect each other and won't harm …

Krwawa łaźnia

Literally "bloody bathhouse." Describes a massacre, a scene of terrible carnage — "a bloodbath."

Kryształ

Literally "crystal." Used figuratively to describe a person of impeccable character and integrity — pure, transparent, …

Krzyk mody

Literally "the cry of fashion." Means the latest trend, the height of fashion — "the last word in fashion," "the latest …

Krzywy ryj

Literally "crooked snout." A rude expression for a person with an unpleasant face or attitude — "ugly mug," "crooked …

Krzyż pański

Literally "the Lord's cross." Used as an exclamation of exasperation or to describe a heavy burden — something that is a …

Krzyżyk na drogę

Literally "a little cross for the road." A farewell gesture — making the sign of the cross over someone departing to …

Ksiądz Wojciech

Literally "Father Wojciech." Used ironically to describe someone who is excessively pious, moralistic, or self-righteous …

Kto bogatemu zabroni

Literally "who would forbid the rich man." Said when a wealthy or powerful person does something extravagant or gets …

Kto by pomyślał

Literally "who would have thought." An exclamation of surprise at an unexpected turn of events — "who would have …

Kto ma księdza w rodzie, temu bieda nie dobodzie

Literally "whoever has a priest in the family, poverty won't prick them." Means having the right connections — …

Kto mieczem wojuje, od miecza ginie

Literally "he who fights by the sword dies by the sword." Means those who use violence or aggression will eventually …

Kto mieczem wojuje, ten od miecza ginie

Literally "he who fights by the sword dies by the sword." Means live by the sword, die by the sword — those who use …

Kto nie ryzykuje, ten nie pije szampana

Literally "he who doesn't risk doesn't drink champagne." Means nothing ventured, nothing gained — you have to take risks …

Kto pierwszy, ten lepszy

Literally "whoever is first is better." Means first come, first served — being first gives you the advantage. "First …

Kto pyta, nie błądzi

Literally "he who asks, doesn't go astray." Means asking for help or directions is never shameful — it's how you avoid …

Kto rano wstaje, temu Pan Bóg daje

Literally "he who rises early, God gives to him." The Polish equivalent of "the early bird catches the worm."

Kto sieje wiatr, ten zbiera burzę

Literally "he who sows wind reaps a storm." Means sow the wind, reap the whirlwind — reckless or provocative actions …

Kto sieje wiatr, zbiera burzę

Literally "he who sows the wind reaps the storm." Means reckless or provocative actions lead to serious consequences — …

Kto się lubi, ten się czubi

Literally "those who like each other quarrel with each other." Means that people who are close often bicker and argue — …

Kto z kim przestaje, takim się staje

Literally "whoever spends time with someone becomes like them." Means you are shaped by the company you keep — "you are …

Kto zacz

Literally "who is this person / who goes there." An archaic-sounding phrase used to ask who someone is — often with a …

Kto żyw

Literally "whoever is alive." Means everyone, all people present — "everyone and their mother," "every living soul," …

Kto żyw

Literally "whoever is alive." Means everyone, all and sundry — used to describe a situation where absolutely everyone is …

Któregoś dnia

Literally "one of these days / some day." Used to refer to an unspecified day in the past or future — "one day," …

Któregoś dnia

Literally "on some day." Means "one day" or "someday" — referring to an unspecified day in the past or future. A very …

Ku czci

Literally "to the honour of." A formal phrase used in dedications, toasts, and commemorations — "in honour of," "to the …

Ku przestrodze

Literally "as a warning." Means as a cautionary example, as a warning to others — used when presenting something as a …

Kubek w kubek

Literally "cup in cup." Means exactly alike, identical — "the spitting image," "a carbon copy." Used especially of …

Kubeł zimnej wody

Literally "a bucket of cold water." Means something that abruptly kills enthusiasm or excitement — a harsh dose of …

Kuć żelazo, póki gorące

Literally "strike the iron while it's hot." Means to act at the right moment, to seize an opportunity before it passes — …

Kuku na muniu

Literally "cuckoo on the brain." Means to have a screw loose, to be a bit crazy or eccentric — used affectionately or …

Kukułcze jajo

Literally "cuckoo's egg." Means something unwanted or problematic that has been secretly placed in someone else's care — …

Kupić kota w worku

Literally "to buy a cat in a sack." Means to buy a pig in a poke — to purchase or accept something without examining it …

Kupować kota w worku

Literally "to buy a cat in a sack." Means to buy or accept something without examining it first — to be deceived by not …

Kur zapiał

Literally "the cock crowed." Means it's very early in the morning — before dawn, at the crack of dawn. Also used …

Kura domowa

Literally "house hen." Describes a woman who stays at home and focuses entirely on domestic life — a homebody, a …

Kura znosząca złote jajka

Literally "the hen that lays golden eggs." A source of continuous wealth or profit that should not be destroyed out of …

Kurczę blade!

Literally "pale little chicken!" A very mild, family-friendly expletive expressing surprise, frustration, or mild …

Kurka wodna

Literally "water hen." The moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) — a common water bird. Used colloquially as a mild exclamation …

Kurna chata

Literally "smoky hut / hen hut." A primitive, smoke-filled peasant dwelling without a chimney — smoke escaped through a …

Kurwa mać

A strong expletive expressing intense frustration, anger, or shock. One of the most powerful and widely recognised …

Kurza twarz

Literally "chicken face." A mild insult for someone with a blank, stupid, or expressionless face — "bird brain," …

Kurze łapki

Literally "chicken feet." The Polish term for crow's feet — the small wrinkles that form at the corners of the eyes with …

Kurzy móżdżek

Literally "chicken brain." Means a very small, dim, or forgetful mind — "birdbrain," "pea brain." Used to describe …

Kusić los

Literally "to tempt fate." Means to take unnecessary risks, to push your luck — "to tempt fate," "to press your luck."

Kuty na cztery nogi

Literally "shod on all four legs." Means shrewd, cunning, and well-prepared for anything — "sharp as a tack," "nobody's …

Kwiatek do kożucha

Literally "a flower on a sheepskin coat." Describes something completely out of place, an absurd mismatch — "a square …

Kwiecień plecień, bo przeplata trochę zimy, trochę lata

Literally "April the weaver, for it weaves a little winter, a little summer." Means April weather is unpredictable and …

Lać jak z cebra

Literally "to pour like from a bucket." Describes very heavy rain — the equivalent of "it's raining cats and dogs" or …

Lać miód na serce

Literally "to pour honey on the heart." Means to say something soothing, comforting, or pleasing — words that warm the …

Lać wodę

Literally "to pour water." Means to talk a lot without saying anything meaningful — to waffle, ramble, or pad speech …

Lada dzień

Literally "any day now." Means very soon, at any moment — "any day now," "imminently."

Lata świetlne

Literally "light years." Used both in the astronomical sense and figuratively to describe an enormous gap or difference …

Latający talerz

Literally "flying saucer." The Polish term for a UFO — an unidentified flying object shaped like a disc. Used both …

Latarnia morska

Literally "sea lantern." A lighthouse — used both literally and figuratively for a guiding light, a beacon of hope or …

Latarnia umarłych

Literally "lantern of the dead." A medieval stone tower with a light burning at the top, placed in cemeteries to guide …

Lec w gruzach

Literally "to fall into rubble." Means to fall to ruins, to collapse completely — used for buildings, plans, …

Lekarzu, lecz się sam

Literally "physician, heal thyself." Means someone who gives advice should follow it themselves — don't tell others what …

Lekka figura

Literally "a light figure." Describes someone of loose morals or easy virtue — a person not taken seriously, someone …

Lekką ręką

Literally "with a light hand." Means carelessly, without much thought or effort — spending or giving away freely without …

Lekko przyszło, lekko poszło

Literally "it came easily, it went easily." Means easy come, easy go — things gained without effort are lost just as …

Lepiej dmuchać na zimne

Literally "better to blow on the cold." Means better safe than sorry — it's wiser to take precautions even when the …

Lepiej nie mówić

Literally "better not to say." Used when something is so bad, embarrassing, or complicated that it's better left unsaid …

Lepiej późno niż wcale

Literally "better late than never." Means it's better to do something late than not at all — identical to the English …

Lepkie ręce

Literally "sticky hands." Describes someone who steals or takes things that don't belong to them — "sticky fingers," …

Lepsze jest wrogiem dobrego

Literally "the better is the enemy of the good." Means striving for perfection can ruin something that is already good …

Lepszy rydz niż nic

Literally "better a saffron milk cap than nothing." Means something is better than nothing — even a modest option beats …

Lepszy wróbel w garści niż gołąb na dachu

Literally "better a sparrow in the hand than a pigeon on the roof." The Polish equivalent of "a bird in the hand is …

Lepszy wróbel w ręku niż cietrzew na sęku

Literally "better a sparrow in the hand than a black grouse on a branch." Means a bird in the hand is worth two in the …

Leśny dziadek

Literally "forest grandfather." A figure from Polish folklore — a spirit or old man of the forest who can be helpful or …

Lew salonowy

Literally "salon lion." Describes a charming, socially brilliant man who is the centre of attention at parties and …

Leżeć odłogiem

Literally "to lie fallow." Means to be unused, neglected, or wasted — land not being cultivated, or talent/resources …

Leżeć u podstaw

Literally "to lie at the foundations." Means to be the fundamental basis or root cause of something — "to lie at the …

Leżeć u podstaw

Literally "to lie at the foundations." Means to lie at the root of something, to be the fundamental basis or underlying …

Leżeć ugorem

Literally "to lie as wasteland." Very similar to 'leżeć odłogiem' — means to be completely unused and neglected. 'Ugór' …

Licho nie śpi

Literally "the devil doesn't sleep." Means trouble is always lurking, bad things can happen at any moment — "the devil …

Licho wie

Literally "the devil knows." Means nobody knows, it's completely unclear — "the devil only knows," "God knows," "who …

Linia najmniejszego oporu

Literally "the line of least resistance." Means the easiest path, the option requiring the least effort — "the path of …

Lisia czapka

Literally "fox hat." A fur hat made from fox pelt — a traditional Polish headwear. Used figuratively for cunning or …

List gończy

Literally "pursuit letter." A warrant for arrest — an official document ordering the capture of a fugitive. "A warrant," …

Litera prawa

Literally "the letter of the law." Refers to the strict, literal interpretation of a law — following the exact wording …

Lizać rany

Literally "to lick one's wounds." Means to recover from a defeat or painful experience, to nurse one's injuries in …

Lwi pazur

Literally "lion's claw." Means a mark of genius or mastery — a detail that reveals the hand of a great talent. "The mark …

Lwia część

Literally "the lion's share." Means the largest portion — taking most of something for oneself. "The lion's share."

Lwica salonowa

Literally "salon lioness." The female counterpart of 'lew salonowy' — a glamorous, socially dominant woman who commands …

Łabędzi śpiew

Literally "swan song." A final, often magnificent performance or work before death or retirement — "a swan song." From …

Łabędzia szyja

Literally "swan neck." Describes a long, graceful, elegant neck — a classic image of feminine beauty. Also used in …

Ładne kwiatki

Literally "nice little flowers." Said ironically when something bad or scandalous has been discovered — "well, well, …

Ładnych parę lat

Literally "a nice few years." Means quite a few years — a significant amount of time, more than just a couple. "A good …

Łagodny jak baranek

Literally "gentle as a little lamb." Describes someone who is meek, mild, and completely harmless — "gentle as a lamb," …

Łamiąca wiadomość

Literally "breaking news." The Polish term for breaking news — a news story that is developing right now. Direct …

Łapacz snów

Literally "dream catcher." The Native American dreamcatcher — a hoop with a woven web that is said to catch bad dreams. …

Łapać bakcyla

Literally "to catch the bacillus/bug." Means to catch a bug — either literally (get sick) or figuratively (become …

Łapać gumę

Literally "to catch a rubber/tyre." Means to get a flat tyre — "to get a puncture," "to blow a tyre."

Łapać okazję

Literally "to catch an opportunity." Means to seize a chance, to take advantage of a good opportunity — "to grab an …

Łapać Pana Boga za nogi

Literally "to grab God by the legs." Means to be incredibly lucky, to have extraordinary good fortune — as if you …

Łapać się za głowę

Literally "to grab oneself by the head." Means to be horrified, to react with dismay or disbelief — "to hold one's head …

Łapać wiatr w żagle

Literally "to catch wind in the sails." Means to gain momentum, to get a boost of energy or opportunity — "to catch the …

Łapać za słówka

Literally "to catch someone by their little words." Means to nitpick, to catch someone out on minor verbal slips — "to …

Łapu-capu

Literally "grab-grab." Describes a chaotic, disorganised scramble — everyone grabbing what they can in a rush. "A …

Łaska pańska na pstrym koniu jeździ

Literally "a lord's favour rides on a dappled horse." Means that the goodwill of the powerful is unreliable and …

Łatwo przyszło, łatwo poszło

Literally "it came easily, it went easily." Means easy come, easy go — things gained without effort are lost just as …

Łącznie z

Literally "together with / including." A very common phrase meaning "including," "together with," "along with."

Łączyć kropki

Literally "to connect the dots." Means to piece together clues or information to understand the full picture — "to …

Łączyć przyjemne z pożytecznym

Literally "to combine the pleasant with the useful." Means to do something enjoyable that is also productive — "to mix …

Łeb jak sklep

Literally "a head like a shop." Means someone has a vast amount of knowledge stored in their head — "a head full of …

Łeb w łeb

Literally "head to head." Means neck and neck — two competitors so close together that neither has a clear lead. "Neck …

Łgać jak najęty

Literally "to lie as if hired to do it." Means to lie through one's teeth, to lie shamelessly and constantly — as if you …

Łgać jak pies

Literally "to lie like a dog." Means to lie shamelessly and constantly — "to lie through one's teeth," "to lie like a …

Łokieć tenisisty

Literally "tennis elbow." The Polish term for lateral epicondylitis — a painful condition of the elbow caused by …

Łono natury

Literally "the bosom of nature." Means being in a natural, peaceful environment — "the great outdoors," "nature."

Łowca głów

Literally "head hunter." Means a recruiter searching for top talent — "headhunter."

Łut szczęścia

Literally "an ounce of luck." Means a small but crucial amount of luck — "a bit of luck," "a touch of luck."

Łykać jak pelikan

Literally "to swallow like a pelican." Means to believe everything gullibly — "to swallow something whole," "to be very …

Łysy jak kolano

Literally "bald as a knee." Means completely bald.

Łyżka do butów

Literally "a spoon for shoes." The Polish word for a shoehorn — the tool used to slip your foot into a shoe without …

Łyżka dziegciu

Literally "a spoonful of tar." Means a small negative element that spoils something — "a fly in the ointment."

Łyżka dziegciu w beczce miodu

Literally "a spoon of tar in a barrel of honey." Means a small flaw that ruins something otherwise very good.

Ma się rozumieć

Means "of course," "naturally," "it goes without saying."

Machnąć ręką

Literally "to wave a hand." Means to dismiss something, to not care — "to shrug something off."

Maczać palce

Literally "to dip one's fingers." Means to be involved in something (often secretly or negatively) — "to have a hand in …

Madejowe łoże

Literally "Madej's bed." Means a bed of nails, a place of torment — somewhere deeply uncomfortable, either physically or …

Mała czarna

Literally "little black." Means a small black coffee (espresso).

Małe co nieco

Means a small snack or something light to eat — "a little something."

Małe piwo

Literally "small beer." Means something easy or insignificant — "no big deal," "piece of cake."

Mało brakowało

Means "it almost happened," "it was close."

Mało powiedzieć

Literally "to say little." Means to put it mildly — used to signal that the reality is even more extreme than what was …

Mało tego

Means "not only that," "what's more."

Mandat zaufania

Means a vote or expression of trust — "vote of confidence."

Mania wielkości

Means delusions of grandeur — an exaggerated sense of one's importance.

Manna z nieba

Literally "manna from heaven." Means an unexpected and welcome benefit.

Martwa dusza

Literally "a dead soul." Refers to a person who exists only on paper — a ghost employee, a fictitious person on a list, …

Martwa fala

Literally "dead wave." In sailing, refers to a long ocean swell with no wind — deceptively calm on the surface but with …

Marzenie ściętej głowy

Literally "a dream of a cut-off head." Means something impossible or unrealistic.

Marzenie ściętej głowy

Literally "the dream of a severed head." Means a pipe dream, a completely unrealistic fantasy — something so impossible …

Masło maślane

Literally "buttery butter." A tautology — saying the same thing twice in different words without adding any new …

Masz babo placek

A humorous expression meaning "and now we have a problem" or "well, that's messed things up."

Masz ci los

Means "just my luck" or "what bad luck."

Masz diable kaftan!

Literally "there, devil, take this coat!" Means you've met your match, the tables have turned — said when someone who …

Maszynka do robienia pieniędzy

Literally "a machine for making money." Means something that generates profit easily — "cash cow."

Matko Boska!

Literally "Mother of God!" A common Polish exclamation expressing shock, surprise, fear, or exasperation — one of the …

Mądrej głowie dość dwie słowie

Means a wise person needs only a hint — "a word to the wise is enough."

Mądrość etapu

Ironically refers to temporary or convenient "wisdom" shaped by circumstances.

Mądry jak salomonowe gacie

Literally "wise as Solomon's underpants." A sarcastic expression meaning not wise at all — used ironically to mock …

Mądry jak sowa

Literally "wise as an owl." Means very wise.

Mądry Polak po szkodzie

Literally "a Pole is wise after the damage." A self-deprecating proverb meaning people only learn from mistakes after …

Mąż stanu

Means a statesman — a respected political leader.

Mąż zaufania

Literally "a man of trust." Means a trusted representative or confidential agent — someone appointed to act on behalf of …

Meksykańska fala

Means "the Mexican wave" in a stadium.

Melodia przyszłości

Means something that will happen far in the future — "a distant prospect."

Metoda prób i błędów

Means "trial and error."

Mgła wojny

Means uncertainty in complex situations, especially conflict — "fog of war."

Miarka się przebrała

Means the limit has been exceeded — "that's the last straw."

Miecz Damoklesa

Means an ever-present threat hanging over someone — "the sword of Damocles."

Mieć blade pojęcie

Means to have only a vague idea.

Mieć coś do gadania

Literally "to have something to say." Means to have a say, to have influence or authority — to be someone whose opinion …

Mieć coś do powiedzenia

Means to have a say or influence.

Mieć coś na końcu języka

Literally "to have something on the tip of one's tongue." Means you almost remember something — it's right there but you …

Mieć coś z życia

Literally "to have something from life." Means to get something out of life, to enjoy life's pleasures — to not let life …

Mieć cykora

Means to be scared — "to chicken out."

Mieć czarne podniebienie

Literally "to have a black palate." Means to have a sharp, biting tongue — to say things that hurt or bring bad luck, as …

Mieć do czynienia

Literally "to have to do with." Means to have to deal with something or someone — to be involved with, to be faced with. …

Mieć doła

Means to feel down or depressed.

Mieć dość

Means to have enough — "to be fed up."

Mieć dwie lewe ręce

Literally "to have two left hands." Means to be clumsy or lack practical skills — the equivalent of being "all thumbs."

Mieć forsy jak lodu

Means to have a lot of money.

Mieć gadane

Means to be good at talking, persuasive.

Mieć gdzieś

Means not to care at all — "to not give a damn."

Mieć głowę na karku

Literally "to have a head on one's neck." Means to be sensible, level-headed, and capable of managing on one's own.

Mieć haka

Means to have compromising information on someone — "to have dirt on someone."

Mieć kiełbie we łbie

Means to have silly or unrealistic ideas.

Mieć kosę

Means to be in conflict with someone — "to have a feud."

Mieć krew na rękach

Means to be responsible for someone's death.

Mieć miejsce

Literally "to have place." Means to take place, to occur — a formal way of saying that an event happened or is …

Mieć mleko pod nosem

Means to be immature or inexperienced.

Mieć muchy w nosie

Literally "to have flies in one's nose." Means to be grumpy, irritable, or touchy — in a bad mood for no obvious reason. …

Mieć na imię

Literally "to have as a name." The standard Polish construction for stating one's first name — "my name is" (literally …

Mieć na końcu języka

Means to almost remember something — "on the tip of one's tongue."

Mieć na myśli

Means to mean or intend something.

Mieć na pieńku

Means to be in trouble or conflict with someone.

Mieć na uwadze

Means to keep something in mind.

Mieć na widelcu

Literally "to have on a fork." Means to have someone in your power, to have them cornered — like a piece of food impaled …

Mieć na wszystko gotową odpowiedź

Literally "to have a ready answer for everything." Describes someone who always has an immediate response to any …

Mieć nadzieję

Literally "to have hope." The standard Polish expression for hoping — one of the most essential phrases in the language. …

Mieć nie po kolei w głowie

Literally "to have things not in order in one's head." Means to have a screw loose, to be confused or mentally …

Mieć nosa do czegoś

Literally "to have a nose for something." Means to have a natural talent, instinct, or keen sense for a particular area. …

Mieć nóż na gardle

Means to be under strong pressure — "to have a knife at one's throat."

Mieć ochotę

Literally "to have appetite/desire." Means to feel like doing something, to want to — one of the most common ways to …

Mieć oczy dookoła głowy

Means to be very alert and watchful.

Mieć oczy szeroko otwarte

Means to be fully aware and attentive.

Mieć olej w głowie

Means to be smart and sensible.

Mieć pełne ręce roboty

Means to be very busy — "to have one's hands full."

Mieć pieniędzy jak lodu

Means to have a lot of money.

Mieć pietra

Means to be scared.

Mieć pod górkę

Means to have a hard time — things are difficult.

Mieć podane na tacy

Means to have something given easily — "served on a platter."

Mieć potąd

Means to be fed up — "to have had enough."

Mieć rację

Literally "to have reason/right." Means to be right — one of the most essential and frequently used phrases in Polish …

Mieć się na baczności

Means to be cautious — "to be on one's guard."

Mieć słabą głowę

Literally "to have a weak head." Means to have a low tolerance for alcohol — to get drunk easily, or more generally to …

Mieć stracha

Literally "to have a fright." Means to be scared, to have the fear — a colloquial way of saying you're frightened of …

Mieć swoje za uszami

Means to have something to feel guilty about.

Mieć świra na punkcie

Means to be obsessed with something.

Mieć w dupie

Literally "to have in one's ass." Means to not give a damn about something — to be completely indifferent, to not care …

Mieć w garści

Means to have control over something — "to have in one's grasp."

Mieć w nosie

Means not to care — "to not care at all."

Mieć w plecy

Literally "to have in the back." Means to have backing, connections, or protection from someone powerful — to have …

Mieć węża w kieszeni

Literally "to have a snake in one's pocket." Describes someone who is very tight-fisted or stingy — so reluctant to …

Mieć zielone pojęcie

Usually in negation: to have no idea at all.

Mieć znaczenie

Means to matter, to be important.

Mieć zryty beret

Means to be mentally messed up or overly fixated.

Miedziane czoło

Literally "a copper forehead." Means brazen cheek, shameless audacity — the quality of someone who shows no …

Mierzyć siły na zamiary

Literally "to measure your strength against your intentions." Means to be realistic about what you can accomplish — …

Mierzyć wysoko

Means to aim high.

Mierzyć wzrokiem

Literally "to measure with one's gaze." Means to size someone up with a look — to stare at someone appraisingly, often …

Miesiąc miodowy

Literally "honey month." Means honeymoon — the period of bliss after a wedding, or figuratively any initial phase of …

Mieszać z błotem

Means to harshly criticize or humiliate someone.

Między Bogiem a prawdą

Means "honestly speaking," "to tell the truth."

Między innymi

Literally "among others." Means "among other things," "inter alia," or "for example" — one of the most frequently used …

Między młotem a kowadłem

Means to be stuck between two difficult options — "between a rock and a hard place."

Między nami

Literally "between us." Means "between you and me," "just between us" — used to signal that what follows is confidential …

Między nami mówiąc

Means "between you and me."

Między Scyllą a Charybdą

Literally "between Scylla and Charybdis." Means caught between two equally dangerous or unpleasant options — a dilemma …

Między wierszami

Means to read or understand hidden meaning — "between the lines."

Miękkie podbrzusze

Literally "soft underbelly." Means a vulnerable weak point — the most exposed and unprotected part of a system, …

Miękkie serce

Means to be kind-hearted, sometimes overly soft.

Mięso armatnie

Means people treated as expendable — "cannon fodder."

Mijać się z prawdą

Means to not tell the truth — to lie (softly).

Milczenie jest złotem

Literally "silence is golden." Advises that sometimes saying nothing is wiser than speaking.

Mile widziany

Literally "pleasantly seen." Means welcome, appreciated, or desirable — used to describe something or someone that is …

Miło mi cię poznać

Literally "it is pleasant for me to meet you." Means "nice to meet you" — the standard Polish phrase when being …

Miłość od pierwszego wejrzenia

Means "love at first sight."

Mimo to

Literally "despite that." Means "nevertheless," "even so," or "despite this" — one of the most essential connectors in …

Mimo woli

Means unintentionally — "in spite of oneself."

Mimo wszystko

Means "despite everything," "nevertheless."

Minąć się z prawdą

Literally "to miss the truth / to pass the truth by." Means to be economical with the truth, to say something that is …

Miód malina

Literally "honey raspberry." Means something is excellent, perfect, or delightful — "top-notch," "just perfect."

Mleko się rozlało

Literally "the milk has been spilled." Means it's too late to change what has happened — "no use crying over spilled …

Młody duchem

Literally "young in spirit." Means someone feels or behaves youthfully regardless of age — "young at heart."

Młody wilk

Literally "young wolf." Refers to an ambitious, aggressive young person eager to succeed — "young go-getter," "rising …

Mniej więcej

Literally "less more." Means approximately — "more or less," "roughly."

Mniejsza o

Literally "less about." Means something is not important or not worth discussing — "never mind," "forget about it."

Mniejsze zło

Literally "lesser evil." Means choosing the better option among bad ones — "the lesser of two evils."

Mocna strona

Literally "strong side." Means a strength or strong point — "one's forte."

Mocno stąpać po ziemi

Literally "to tread firmly on the ground." Means to be realistic and practical — "to have one's feet on the ground."

Moherowy beret

Literally "mohair beret." A pejorative term for an older, conservative, often religious person — similar to …

Moim skromnym zdaniem

Literally "in my humble opinion." A polite way to express one's view — "in my humble opinion."

Moja chata z kraja

Literally "my cottage is on the edge." Means avoiding involvement or responsibility — "it's none of my business," "I …

Moja racja jest mojsza

Literally "my right is more mine." A humorous or ironic way to insist stubbornly that one is right — even irrationally.

Mokra robota

Literally "wet job." Means dirty or violent work, especially involving blood — "dirty work," "a hit job."

Moralność Kalego

Refers to a double standard: something is bad when done to me, but fine when I do it — "double standards," "hypocrisy."

Morda w kubeł

Literally "face into the bucket." A rude way to tell someone to shut up — "shut your mouth."

Motyla noga

Literally "butterfly's leg." A mild, humorous exclamation used instead of swearing — like "darn it!"

Mowa ciała

Literally "body speech." Means body language — nonverbal communication through gestures and posture.

Mowa jest srebrem, a milczenie złotem

Literally "speech is silver, silence is gold." Means it's often better to stay silent than to speak.

Może być

Literally "it may be." Means something is acceptable — "that works," "fine by me."

Można konie kraść

Literally "one could steal horses." Means it's very early or very late — a time when anything could happen.

Mól książkowy

Literally "book moth." Means someone who reads a lot — "bookworm."

Mówić jak do ściany

Literally "to speak as if to a wall." Means speaking to someone who doesn't listen — "like talking to a wall."

Mówić jednym głosem

Literally "to speak with one voice." Means to be in full agreement — "to speak with one voice," "to be united."

Mówić prosto z mostu

Literally "to speak straight from the bridge." Means to speak bluntly and honestly — no sugarcoating, no exaggeration, …

Mówić przez łzy

Literally "to speak through tears." Means to speak while crying or very emotional.

Mówić sam za siebie

Literally "to speak for itself." Means something is obvious and needs no explanation.

Mówić tym samym językiem

Literally "to speak the same language." Means to understand each other well, especially in mindset or values.

Mówić zagadkami

Literally "to speak in riddles." Means to be vague or cryptic.

Mówisz i masz

Literally "you say it and you have it." Means something happens immediately after being mentioned.

Mur beton

Literally "wall concrete." Means something is absolutely certain or guaranteed.

Musi to na Rusi

Literally "it must be in Ruthenia." Means nothing is truly obligatory — "nothing is a must."

Musi to na Rusi, a w Polsce jak kto chce

Extended version meaning that obligations depend on context — in Poland, people do as they like.

Musztarda po obiedzie

Literally "mustard after dinner." Means that something arrived or was done too late to be of any use — the meal is …

Mydlić oczy

Literally "to soap someone's eyes." Means to deceive or mislead — "to pull the wool over someone's eyes."

Mydło i powidło

Literally "soap and fruit butter." Means a random mix of unrelated things — "everything and nothing," "a hodgepodge."

Myśleć o niebieskich migdałach

Literally "to think about blue almonds." Means to daydream, drift off into fantasies, or think unrealistic thoughts.

Myślenie życzeniowe

Literally "wish-based thinking." Means wishful thinking — believing something because one wants it to be true.

Na aborot

Literally "on the reverse / backwards." Means the wrong way round, back to front, in reverse — "backwards," "the wrong …

Na antenie

Literally "on the antenna / on air." Means currently broadcasting, live on radio or television — "on air," "on the air." …

Na baczność

Literally "to attention." The military command to stand at attention — used both literally (in the army) and …

Na bakier

Literally "askew, at an angle." Means not right, out of alignment, at odds with something — "at odds with," "not quite …

Na ban

Literally "on ban." Internet/gaming slang — to be banned, to get a ban. "To get banned," "to be on a ban."

Na bank

Literally "on the bank / at the bank." Colloquially means for certain, definitely, without a doubt — "for sure," …

Na bańce

Literally "on the bubble/balloon." Colloquial for being drunk — "tipsy," "on the sauce," "a bit gone."

Na bezrybiu i rak ryba

Literally "where there are no fish, a crayfish counts as a fish." When better options aren't available, you make do with …

Na bieżąco

Literally "on the current / up to date." Means keeping up with things as they happen, staying current — "up to date," …

Na blachę

Literally "on the sheet metal / on the plate." Colloquial for doing something for free, on the house, or getting away …

Na Boga

Literally "for God's sake / by God." An exclamation of surprise, exasperation, or emphasis — "for God's sake," "good …

Na bok

Literally "to the side." Means aside, out of the way — used to tell someone to step aside, or figuratively to set …

Na bosaka

Literally "barefoot." Means without shoes or socks — walking barefoot. A very common everyday expression.

Na cacno

Literally "like a trinket / with great care." Means treating something very carefully and delicately, as if it were a …

Na całe gardło

Literally "at full throat." Means shouting or singing at the top of one's voice — "at the top of one's lungs," …

Na całego

Literally "at full / going all out." Means with full force, completely, without holding back — "full blast," "all out," …

Na całej linii

Literally "on the whole line." Means completely, totally, across the board — "across the board," "on all fronts," …

Na całość

Literally "for the whole / all in." Means going all in, committing everything — "all or nothing," "going for broke."

Na cały głos

Literally "at full voice." Means speaking or shouting as loudly as possible — "at the top of one's voice," "full …

Na cały regulator

Literally "at full throttle / full regulator." Means at maximum volume or speed — "full blast," "at full throttle," …

Na chama

Literally "like a boor / the rude way." Means doing something crudely, rudely, or by brute force — without finesse or …

Na chłopski rozum

Literally "by peasant's reason." Means using plain common sense, without sophisticated analysis — "by common sense," "in …

Na chybcika

Literally "on the quick." Means hastily, quickly, without much care — "on the quick," "in a rush," "slap-dash."

Na chybił trafił

Literally "on missed-hit." Means at random, haphazardly, without aim — "hit or miss," "at random," "taking a shot in the …

Na co dzień

Literally "for every day." Means everyday, ordinary, for daily use — "for everyday use," "on a daily basis," "day to …

Na czarno

Literally "on black / in black." Means off the books, illegally, without declaring to authorities — "under the table," …

Na czas

Literally "on time." Means punctually, at the right time — "on time," "in time."

Na czczo

Literally "on an empty stomach / fasting." Means without having eaten — on an empty stomach. Used both literally …

Na czele

Literally "at the head." Means in the lead, at the front, heading something — "at the head of," "leading," "in charge." …

Na cześć

Literally "in honour of." Used in toasts and dedications — "in honour of," "to the health of," "here's to." E.g. …

Na czworakach

Literally "on all fours." Means crawling on hands and knees — "on all fours," "on hands and knees."

Na darmo

Literally "for nothing / in vain." Means without result, uselessly, for nothing — "in vain," "for nothing," "to no …

Na dłuższą metę

Literally "over the longer stretch." Means in the long run, over time — "in the long run," "over the long term."

Na dniach

Literally "in the days / within days." Means very soon, in the next few days — "any day now," "in the next few days," …

Na dobicie

Literally "for the finishing blow." Means to finish someone off, as a final blow — "to finish off," "the coup de grâce." …

Na dobranoc

Literally "for good night." The standard Polish way to say goodnight — "goodnight," "as a goodnight." Also used for …

Na dobre i na złe