mea culpa

Unadapted borrowing from Latin meā culpā.


co ma piernik do wiatraka

Literally, “what does a gingerbread have to do with a windmill?”.

lit

(humorous, idiomatic) what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?


czy mówisz po angielsku

do you speak English
do you speak English


ile masz lat

(idiomatic, informal, to a single person) how old are you?


gdzie Rzym, gdzie Krym

/ɡd͡ʑɛ ˈʐɘm ɡd͡ʑɛ ˈkrɘm/

Literally, “Where is Rome, where is Crimea?”.


do zobaczenia

Compare Ukrainian до побачення (do pobačennja, “goodbye”)

cog

до побачення


nie ma mowy

Potem pijemy herbatę między wersalką, na której leży gigantyczny stos pościeli, a stołem obciążonym mnogością różnych weselnych ciast i dlatego nie ma mowy, żeby gorącą szklankę postawić, trzeba ją trzymać, chociaż parzy palce.

Then we drink tea between the sofa, on which lies a giant pile of bedding, and the table laden with a multitude of different wedding cakes, and so there is no way to put the hot glass down, you have to hold it even though it steams your fingers.

(idiomatic) there is no way to (something is impossible and cannot happen)


nie ma za co

Ellipsis of nie ma za co dziękować (literally “there is no reason to [thank me]”).


do kurwy nędzy

Literally, “for [the] misery of [a] whore”.


co słychać

(colloquial, idiomatic) how are you?, how's it going?, what's up? (what's happening?; what are you doing?)


jak masz na imię

(idiomatic, informal) what is your name?


jak się masz

→ Belarusian: як ма́ешся (jak máješsja)

desc

→ Ukrainian: як ся ма́єш (jak sja máješ)

Literally, “how do you have [yourself]?”, or more loosely translated as “how do you fare?”. Compare Czech jak se máš, Danish hvordan har du det, Latin quōmodo tē habēs.


ts.

Abbreviation of to samo.; ditto, idem, id.


miło mi cię poznać

(idiomatic, informal) nice to meet you, pleased to meet you


c.b.d.o.

/ˌt͡sɛ ˌbɛ ˌdɛ ˈɔ/

co było do okazania
co było do okazania#Polish

Abbreviation of co było do okazania; QED (end of proof)


przez grzeczność nie zaprzeczę

/pʂɛz ˈɡʐɛt͡ʂ.nɔɕt͡ɕ ɲɛ zapˈʂɛ.t͡ʂɛ/

Literally, “I shall agree for the sake of politeness”.

lit

(idiomatic, humorous) said in acknowledgement of a self-deprecatory statement

(idiomatic) said in acknowledgement of a compliment


z polskiego na nasze

Literally, “[translated] from Polish into our [language]”.

m-g

􂀿translated􂁀 from Polish into our 􂀿language􂁀


grosik za twoje myśli

penny for your thoughts
penny for your thoughts


albo rybki, albo akwarium

Literally, “either the fish, or the aquarium”.

have your cake and eat it too
have one's cake and eat it too

(idiomatic, humorous) you can't have your cake and eat it too


co było do okazania

head

co było do okazania (abbreviation c.b.d.o.)

quod erat demonstrandum
quod erat demonstrandum


chuj ci w dupę

shove it up your ass
shove it up your ass

(idiomatic, markedly vulgar) fuck you; shove it up your ass


baby z dziadem brakuje

Literally, “grandma and grandpa are missing”.

lit

dziada z babą brakuje
dziada z babą brakuje#Polish

(colloquial, idiomatic, humorous) Alternative form of dziada z babą brakuje


dziada z babą brakuje

Literally, “grandpa and grandma are missing”.

(colloquial, idiomatic, humorous) it's very messy


dupy nie urywa

(idiomatic, vulgar) Alternative form of głowy nie urywa


głowy nie urywa

Literally, “[it] doesn't rip [my] head off”, or more loosely translated as “it doesn't blow my mind”.

(idiomatic, colloquial) mediocre; average; middling; lame; neither good nor bad


konia z rzędem temu, kto

Literally, “[I shall buy/give] a horse with horsetack to whoever...”. When the phrase was coined, a horse was the most expensive farm animal, so it is used here figuratively as "something very valuable".

m-g

􂀿I shall buy/give􂁀 a horse with horsetack to whoever...

lit

Konia z rzędem temu, kto wyjaśni mi tę bzdurną decyzję.

There's a million dollars for whoever explains this absurd decision to me.

(idiomatic) There's a million dollars for whoever...; used to indicate that something is very hard or impossible to do


nie ma chuja we wsi

Literally, “there's no dick in a village”.

Jak tatuś zrobi dzióbek, to nie ma chuja we wsi!

2002, Marek Koterski, Dzień świra, spoken by Sylwuś (Michał Koterski):

When daddy makes the hood, fuckers got nothing on it!

(idiomatic, vulgar) expression of approval

(idiomatic, vulgar) not a chance; no fucking way

(idiomatic, vulgar) definitely; no fucking doubt


tu leży pies pogrzebany

tu jest pies pogrzebany
tu jest pies pogrzebany#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of tu jest pies pogrzebany


tu jest pies pogrzebany

Calque of German da liegt der Hund begraben.

calque

therein lies the rub
therein lies the rub

(idiomatic) therein lies the rub; that's the crux of the matter; that's the main obstacle; that's the whole point


było, minęło

water under the bridge
water under the bridge

(idiomatic) it's water under the bridge; it's water over the dam


reszty nie trzeba

/ˈrɛʂ.tɘ ɲɛ ˈtʂɛ.ba/


co ty na to

(idiomatic, informal) what do you think?, what say you?


klamka zapadła

Literally, “the door handle has been pressed”.

lit

(idiomatic, informal) a final, irreversible decision has already been made


o wilku mowa, a wilk tu

Literally, “[the] word is about [the] wolf, and [the] wolf is here”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 word is about 􂀿the􂁀 wolf, and 􂀿the􂁀 wolf is here

lit

speak of the devil and he appears
speak of the devil and he appears

(idiomatic) speak of the devil and he appears


o wilku mowa

Literally, “[the] word is about [the] wolf”.


nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy

desc

→ English: not my circus, not my monkeys (calque)

Literally, “not my circus, not my monkeys”.

lit

none of my business
none of someone's business


słoń nadepnął na ucho

słoń na ucho nadepnął
słoń na ucho nadepnął#Polish

(idiomatic, humorous) Alternative form of słoń na ucho nadepnął


słoń na ucho nadepnął

Literally, “an elephant stepped on (one's) ear”.

Nie wiem, jak możesz słuchać takiego jazgotu, chyba słoń ci na ucho nadepnął.

I don't know how you can listen to this kind of noise, you must be totally deaf.

(idiomatic, humorous) said of people who are unmusical, especially tone-deaf or sing off-key


diabeł ogonem nakrył

diabeł nakrył ogonem
diabeł nakrył ogonem#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of diabeł nakrył ogonem


diabeł nakrył ogonem

Literally, “the devil covered [it] with [his] tail”.

lit

(idiomatic) used when something was misplaced and cannot be found


jak tam

(colloquial, idiomatic) how are you?, how's it going?, what's up? (what's happening?; what are you doing?)

(colloquial, idiomatic) how's [with nominative ‘something’]


zausz firmę

2015, Justyna Samolińska, Mit „zausz firmę” popularny wśród Polaków, strajk.eu

pull yourself up by the bootstraps
pull oneself up by one's bootstraps

(sarcastic, Internet slang, idiomatic) Deliberate misspelling of załóż firmę (“set up a company”); pull yourself up by the bootstraps


head

a świstak siedzi i zawija je w te sreberka

/a ˈɕfis.tak ˈɕɛ.d͡ʑi i zaˈvi.ja jɛ f tɛ srɛˈbɛr.ka/

Literally, “and the groundhog sits there and wraps them in tinfoil”. A line from an old Milka chocolate commercial that features a man accidentally stumbling upon a secret chocolate factory operated by mountain animals where a groundhog wraps chocolates in tinfoil. When he later relates his experience to friends, they react patronizingly and think he is crazy.

lit

(idiomatic, sarcastic, humorous) cool story bro; used to ridicule what was just said as embellishment or tall tale


jak zwał, tak zwał

Literally, “it is called what it is called”.

(colloquial, idiomatic) tomato, tomato (used to end an argument or digression about vocabulary)


a u was Murzynów biją

Derived from a popular joke of Russian origin, along the following lines:
: An American and a Russian meet at a bar. The Russian claims that the Soviet Union is a land of freedom. The American asks, "Can you publicly criticize the government?" The Russian goes silent. The American presses on: "Can you start your own business?" Again, no response. "Can you even move to a different country?" Finally, the Russian responds, "And you are lynching Negroes!"
See also: And you are lynching Negroes.

(idiomatic, humorous) a stereotypical tu quoque response to criticism


nie strasz, bo się zesrasz

Literally, “don't threaten, because you might shit yourself”.

lit

(idiomatic, vulgar, humorous) used as a taunt in response to non-credible promises or threats


dziadek płakał, jak sprzedawał

Literally, “grandfather cried when he sold”. Based on the widespread Polish practice of importing used cars from Germany and other Western European countries, often bought from elderly residents. Implies that the previous owner had to sell the car below market value, and thus it can be expected to be a great deal.

(idiomatic, humorous) stereotypical embellished sales pitch


Polak nie wielbłąd, pić musi

Literally, “a Pole isn't a camel; he needs to drink”.


pijmy, bo wódka stygnie

Literally, “let's drink, because the vodka is cooling down”.


chluśniem, bo uśniem

Literally, “we'll do a splash, 'cause we are going to fall asleep”.


Niemiec płakał, jak sprzedawał

Literally, “the German cried when he sold”. Based on the widespread Polish practice of importing used cars from Germany. Implies that the previous owner had to sell the car below market value, and thus it can be expected to be a great deal.


gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy partie

/ɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdvux pɔˈla.kuf tam ˈtʂɘ ˈpar.tjɛ/

gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy zdania#Polish

(idiomatic) Where there are two Poles, there are three political parties; Alternative form of gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy zdania


gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy poglądy

/ɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdvux pɔˈla.kuf tam ˈtʂɘ pɔɡˈlɔn.dɘ/

(idiomatic) Where there are two Poles, there are three views; Alternative form of gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy zdania


head

gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy punkty widzenia

/ɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdvux pɔˈla.kuf tam ˈtʂɘ ˈpuŋ.ktɘ viˈd͡zɛ.ɲa/

(idiomatic) Where there are two Poles, there are three points of view; Alternative form of gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy zdania


gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy zdania

/ɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdvux pɔˈla.kuf tam ˈtʂɘ ˈzda.ɲa/

Literally, “where there are two Poles, there are three opinions”.

lit

Zawsze zastanawiało mnie, czy powiedzenia „dogadać się, jak Polak z Polakiem” oznacza, że chodzi o szybkie i sprawne porozumienie się, czy też wręcz przeciwnie – oznacza, że w żaden sposób nie jesteśmy w stanie dojść do jakiegokolwiek porozumienia („gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy zdania”).

2003, Jacek Chwałek, Obsługa Klienta: Jakość usług, Wydawnictwa Szkolne i Pedagigiczne, page 58:

I always wondered if the phrase “get along like a Pole with a Pole” is about quick and efficient communication, or on the contrary – means that we can never reach an agreement (“where there are two Poles, there are three opinions”).

Nie bez przyczyny od zawsze mówiło się: gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy zdania.

2017, Artur Chmielewski, chapter 3, in Achromatopsja, Insignis Media:

It is not without reason that it has always been said: where there are two Poles, there are three opinions.

(idiomatic) Polish people are quarrelsome and rarely agree with each other


gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy opinie

/ɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdvux pɔˈla.kuf tam ˈtʂɘ ɔˈpiɲ.jɛ/

(idiomatic) Where there are two Poles, there are three opinions; Alternative form of gdzie dwóch Polaków, tam trzy zdania


w dupie byłeś, gówno widziałeś

Literally, “you were up someone's ass and saw shit”. A wordplay between the secondary meaning of gówno (“nothing, fuck all”) and its literal meaning of "shit".

lit

(vulgar, idiomatic, slang, humorous) you don't know what you're talking about


nie ma

head

nie ma (past nie było, future nie będzie)

Clipping of nie masz. First attested in the first half of the 20th century. Displaced Old Polish nietu.

etydate

On nie ma czasu.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see nie, ma. [with genitive]

Nie ma chleba.

Nie ma mowy!

No way! (literally, “There is no speech!”)

Nigdy nikogo nie ma w domu.

(impersonal, idiomatic) to be gone, to not be present, to not exist, there is no [with genitive]


za żadne skarby świata

all the money in the universe
all the money in the universe

all the money in the world
all the money in the world

all the tea in China
all the tea in China

(colloquial, humorous, idiomatic) all the money in the universe; all the money in the world; all the tea in China


za skarby świata

(colloquial, idiomatic) for the life of one


blp

Abbreviation of bez liczby pojedynczej (“without singular number, plurale tantum”).


blm.

Abbreviation of bez liczby mnogiej (“without plural number, singulare tantum”).


cdn.

ciąg dalszy nastąpi
ciąg dalszy nastąpi#Polish

Abbreviation of ciąg dalszy nastąpi (“to be continued”): TBC


nie znam się, to się wypowiem

(idiomatic, sarcastic) a response to an ignorant, uninformed statement


tyle z

no to tyle z tego pomysłu.


jajko mądrzejsze od kury

Literally, “[an] egg [that is] smarter than [a] hen”. Compare Russian я́йца ку́рицу не у́чат (jájca kúricu ne účat).

cog

я́йца ку́рицу не у́чат

(idiomatic) usually negatively, when a younger person with less knowledge teaches an older person


moim skromnym zdaniem

in my humble opinion
in my humble opinion


kiedy przychodzi co do czego

/ˈkjɛ.dɘ pʂɘˈxɔ.d͡ʑi t͡sɔ dɔ ˈt͡ʂɛ.ɡɔ/

when push comes to shove
when push comes to shove


lepiej dmuchać na zimne

Literally, “it is better to blow on something cold”.

lit

better safe than sorry
better safe than sorry


gdy przyjdzie co do czego

/ɡdɘ ˈpʂɘj.d͡ʑɛ t͡sɔ dɔ ˈt͡ʂɛ.ɡɔ/


kiedy przyjdzie co do czego

/ˈkjɛ.dɘ ˈpʂɘj.d͡ʑɛ t͡sɔ dɔ ˈt͡ʂɛ.ɡɔ/


twoje życzenie jest dla mnie rozkazem

/ˈtfɔ.jɛ ʐɘˈt͡ʂɛ.ɲɛ jɛzd dla mɲɛ rɔsˈka.zɛm/

your wish is my command
your wish is my command


mylić się jest rzeczą ludzką

/ˈmɘ.lit͡ɕ ɕɛ jɛst ˈʂɛ.t͡ʂɔw̃ ˈlut͡s.kɔw̃/


błądzić jest rzeczą ludzką

/ˈbwɔɲ.d͡ʑit͡ɕ jɛst ˈʂɛ.t͡ʂɔw̃ ˈlut͡s.kɔw̃/


brak wiadomości to dobra wiadomość

/brak fja.dɔˈmɔɕ.t͡ɕi tɔ ˈdɔb.ra vjaˈdɔ.mɔɕt͡ɕ/

no news is good news
no news is good news


broń Boże

/brɔɲ ˈbɔ.ʐɛ/


wszędzie dobrze, gdzie nas nie ma

/ˈfʂɛɲ.d͡ʑɛ dɔbʐɛˌ ɡd͡ʑɛ nas ɲɛ ma/

Literally, “It is good everwhere where we are not”.

(idiomatic) the grass is always greener on the other side


każdy kij ma dwa końce

(idiomatic) it cuts both ways, something is a double-edged sword


kto bogatemu zabroni

Literally, “who's going to forbid a rich person”.

Ja sam bym nie zlecił złotej rzeźby na moje podobieństwo, ale kto bogatemu zabroni.

I personally wouldn't have ordered a gold statue in my likeness, but who am I to judge.

(idiomatic) used when the speaker considers someone's actions, especially those of a rich or influential person, to be irrational or arbitrary


na miejsca, gotowi, start

on your marks, get set, go!
on your marks, get set, go!

(idiomatic) ready, set, go, on your marks, get set, go!


co ty nie powiesz

/t͡sɔ tɘ ɲɛ ˈpɔ.vjɛʂ/


nomen omen

Learned borrowing from Latin nōmen est ōmen.

lbor

(idiomatic) as the name suggests (the name of the object or person is a clue as to their character)


head

nie pchaj się na afisz, jak nie potrafisz

jak nie potrafisz, nie pchaj się na afisz

jeśli nie potrafisz, nie pchaj się na afisz

(idiomatic) don't take on work or tasks you can't handle


jak nie potrafisz, nie pchaj się na afisz


jeśli nie potrafisz, nie pchaj się na afisz

/ˈjɛɕ.li ɲɛ pɔtˈra.fiʂ | ɲɛ pxaj ɕɛ na ˈa.fiʂ/

Rhyme, literally, “if you don't know how [to do something], don't shove yourself onto the placard”.

m-g

if you don't know how 􂀿to do something􂁀, don't shove yourself onto the placard

lit

Pierwsze przykazanie webmastera powinno brzmieć: „Jeśli nie potrafisz, nie pchaj się na afisz”. Jeśli strona będzie źle zrobiona, nawet najlepsza promocja jej nie pomoże, a kiepska opinia wyrażona przez kilka osób w Usenecie może naprawdę zaszkodzić.

2000, Piotr Parafiniuk, “Zaistnieć w Sieci”, in Enter:

The first commandment for webmasters should be: "If you don't know how to do to it, don't push yourself into the spotlight." If the site is poorly made, even the best promotion won't help it, and a bad opinion from a few people on Usenet can really harm the website.

(idiomatic) don't take on work or tasks you cannot handle


wóz albo przewóz

(colloquial, idiomatic) sink or swim, do or die (used before a difficult decision or action)

(colloquial, idiomatic) take it or leave it (used when someone has to make a decision between two options)


albo rybka, albo pipka

Literally, “either the fish, or the pipette”.

have your cake and eat it too
have one's cake and eat it too

(idiomatic, humorous) you can't have your cake and eat it too


każda potwora znajdzie amatora

/ˈkaʐ.da pɔtˈfɔ.ra ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ a.maˈtɔ.ra/

Literally, “every monster will find a lover”.

każda potwora znajdzie swojego amatora#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of każda potwora znajdzie swojego amatora


każda potwora znajdzie swojego amatora

/ˈkaʐ.da pɔtˈfɔ.ra ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ sfɔˈjɛ.ɡɔ a.maˈtɔ.ra/

Literally, “every monster will find its lover”.

every Jack has his Jill
every Jack has his Jill


każda potwora znajdzie swego amatora

/ˈkaʐ.da pɔtˈfɔ.ra ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ ˈsfɛ.ɡɔ a.maˈtɔ.ra/


pokorne cielę dwie matki ssie

Literally, “A humble calf sucks [from] two mothers”.

lit

fly too close to the sun
fly too close to the sun

(idiomatic) don't fly too close to the sun


co dwie głowy, to nie jedna

Literally, “what two heads are isn't (the same as) one”.

lit

two heads are better than one
two heads are better than one

(idiomatic) two heads are better than one


nie ma dymu bez ognia

Literally, “there is no smoke without fire”.

no smoke without fire
no smoke without fire


wiara góry przenosi

Literally, “faith moves mountains”. From the Bible's Gospel of Matthew 21,19-25: "A widząc drzewo figowe przy drodze, podszedł ku niemu, lecz nic na nim nie znalazł oprócz liści. I rzekł do niego: «Niechże już nigdy nie rodzi się z ciebie owoc!» I drzewo figowe natychmiast uschło. A uczniowie, widząc to, pytali ze zdumieniem: «Jak mogło drzewo figowe tak od razu uschnąć?» Jezus im odpowiedział: «Zaprawdę, powiadam wam: jeśli będziecie mieć wiarę, a nie zwątpicie, to nie tylko z figowym drzewem to uczynicie, ale nawet jeśli powiecie tej górze: "Podnieś się i rzuć się w morze!", stanie się. I otrzymacie wszystko, o co na modlitwie z wiarą prosić będziecie»."

faith will move mountains
faith will move mountains

(idiomatic, biblical) faith will move mountains


na dwoje babka wróżyła

Literally, “the grandma foretold two things”. Compare Russian ба́бка на́двое сказа́ла (bábka nádvoje skazála).

cog

ба́бка на́двое сказа́ла

your guess is as good as mine
your guess is as good as mine

(idiomatic) it's a toss-up, it's up in the air, your guess is as good as mine, it's on the fence (a given situation may shake out two different ways)


baba swoje, chłop swoje

Literally, “a woman has her own [opinion], a man has his own [opinion]”.

m-g

a woman has her own 􂀿opinion􂁀, a man has his own 􂀿opinion􂁀

lit

dziad swoje, baba swoje
dziad swoje, baba swoje#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of dziad swoje, baba swoje


baba swoje, dziad swoje

Literally, “grandma has her own [opinion], grandpa has his own [opinion]”.

m-g

grandma has her own 􂀿opinion􂁀, grandpa has his own 􂀿opinion􂁀


dziad swoje, baba swoje

Literally, “grandpa has his own [opinion], grandma has her own [opinion]”.

m-g

grandpa has his own 􂀿opinion􂁀, grandma has her own 􂀿opinion􂁀

lit

(idiomatic) used when an agreement cannot be reached because everyone is too stubborn to change their opinion


baba swoje, czart swoje

Literally, “a woman has her own [opinion], a devil has his own [opinion]”.

m-g

a woman has her own 􂀿opinion􂁀, a devil has his own 􂀿opinion􂁀


skończyło się babce sranie

skończyło się babci sranie
skończyło się babci sranie#Polish

(idiomatic, vulgar) Alternative form of skończyło się babci sranie


skończyło się babci sranie

Literally, “gramdma's shit has finished”.

Po jakimś czasie skończyło się babci sranie.

2015 September 9, Paweł Szamburski, Chłopcy z ulicy Gorzałki, Virtualo, →ISBN:

(idiomatic, vulgar) used when someone has had enough of a situation, that's it


przez żołądek do serca

Literally, “through the stomach to the heart”.

(idiomatic) the way to a man's heart is through his stomach


baju, baju, będziesz w raju

Literally, “story teller, story teller, you'll be in heaven”, chosen for its rhyming nature.

lit

liar liar pants on fire
liar liar pants on fire


Boże uchowaj

(dated, idiomatic) God forbid, heaven forbid


mleko się rozlało

(idiomatic) something unpleasant has happened and cannot be reversed


niech się dzieje wola nieba

/ˈɲɛx.ɕɛ ˈd͡ʑɛ.jɛ ˈvɔ.la ˈɲɛ.ba/

Literally, “Heaven's will be done”. An excerpt of the quotation from Aleksander Fredro's 1838 comedy Zemsta (Revenge). The full quotation is: "Niech się dzieje wola Nieba, z nią się zawsze zgadzać trzeba" (literally, “Heaven's will be done, you must always agree with it”).

lit

niech się dzieje, co chce
niech się dzieje, co chce#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of niech się dzieje, co chce


kto zacz

The second element was inherited from Old Polish za czso.


konia z rzędem

Literally, “a horse with [its] tack [to someone]”.

(idiomatic) a million dollars, a king's ransom (of something very difficult and thus deserving of a high payment if completed) [with dative ‘to whom’]

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see koń, rząd.


po nas choćby i potop

po nas choćby potop
po nas choćby potop#Polish


po nas choćby potop

after us the deluge (a nihilistic expression of indifference to whatever happens after one is gone)


jak nie urok, to sraczka

Literally, “when [it's] not a spell, [it's] the shits.”

m-g

when 􂀿it's􂁀 not a spell, 􂀿it's􂁀 the shits.

lit

if it's not one thing it's another
if it's not one thing it's another

(vulgar) if it's not one thing it's another (several problems are taking place simultaneously)


panta rhei

Unadapted borrowing from Ancient Greek πάντα ῥεῖ (pánta rheî, “everything flows”), coined by Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus.

coin

(higher register, idiomatic) life changes (used to emphasize that things are constantly changing in life and nothing stays the same)


ręce opadły

(idiomatic, impersonal) words fail someone [with dative ‘whom’]


sęk w tym

(idiomatic, colloquial) the thing is (used to introduce the main point or issue)


moja racja jest mojsza

Literally, “my truth is more mine”, using an ironic comparative form of the possessive pronoun mój (mój + -szy); popularized in the 2002 film Dzień świra.

a co do zainteresowan - netykieta... odpisuj pod postami i tnij cytaty, tak jak ja to zrobilem i robi wiekszosc ludzi... proponuje tez zmiane czytnika na lepszy - nie ze zlosciwosci, bo moja racja jest mojsza , ale z wygody... zobaczysz - sprobuj thunderbird'a ;)

2005 May 10, MonikaM, witam, Usenet -- pl.sci.psychologia:

as to the interests - netiquette... respond under posts and cut quotes like I did and like how most people do... I also propose you change your reader to a better one - not out of spite, since I'm more right than you are, but more out of convenience...

Z definicji - moja racja jest mojsza.

2006 September 19, "KrzychuT", "regent...", Liwiusz, Kira, "Nixe", "ppm", Michał, "Mag..., Re: Chorobowe-jak zapobiegac?:

By definition I'm right and you're wrong.

Z czego w prostej linii wynika, że moja racja jest mojsza ;)

2007 December 29, "ksRobak", "salonowiec-troll", Wladyslaw Los, "Robakks", "salonowiec", "pafau k."..., Jeszcze o Pi:

And as a direct result I'm right and you're wrong ;)

(humorous, idiomatic, ironic) used to state that one's subjective opinion should be considered objectively correct; my taste is right and yours is wrong, I'm right and you're wrong

moja racja jest mojsza, więc najmojsza i najlepsza


nie mam pieniędzy

Literally, “I don't have money/I have no money”.


jestem Polakiem

Coordinate term: (female speaker) jestem Polką


jestem Polką

Coordinate term: (male speaker) jestem Polakiem


miarka się przebrała

(idiomatic) enough is enough (the limit of patience or tolerance has been reached)


można konie kraść z kimś

Literally, “[one] can steal horses with somebody”.

(idiomatic) someone is a good friend and a loyal companion in every situation


świń z tobą nie pasałem

Literally, “I did not herd pigs with you”.

(idiomatic) I am not on first-name terms with you


potrzymaj mi piwo

Literally, “hold my beer”. Calque of English hold my beer.

Pomysł Live Nation skomentowała popularna facebookowa strona poświęcona muzyce Są na świecie płyty, o których nie śniło się młodym klerykom.
"Nie no, ostatnio to Live Nation doszło już do ściany, bardziej się nie da golić ludzi. Live Nation: POTRZYMAJ MI PIWO" – czytamy.

2011 – 2023 March 8, Paweł Mączewski, “Nowość na koncercie The Weeknd w Polsce. Pojawiło się coś gorszego od opłat serwisowych”, in ASZdziennik, Warszawa:

The Live Nation's idea was commented on by a popular Facebook page dedicated to music "There are albums in the world that young clerics have never dreamed of".
 "Seriously, Live Nation has recently come up against a wall, you can't fleece people any more than this. Live nation: HOLD MY BEER" – we read.

(colloquial, humorous, idiomatic) hold my beer (I am about to do something crazy)


umarł w butach

Literally, “[he] died in shoes”, or more loosely translated as “[he] died with [his] shoes on”.

Jak tylko pani się stawi na jedno z ich spotkań, umarł w butach, już panią mają. Ich prezentacja jest tak dobrze zrobiona, przedstawiają nieznośne liczby, sugestywne obrazy, to jest mocne, chwyta za gardło, sprawia, że ma pani ochotę[…]

2021 November 22, Maxime Chattam, In(Sekt)a, Sonia Draga Sp. z o.o., →ISBN:

As soon as you turn up to one of their meetings, it's over, they already have you. Their presentation is so well done, they present unbearable numbers, evocative images, it's powerful, it grabs you by the throat, it makes you want to […]

(colloquial, idiomatic) used to indicate that the situation is hopeless and nothing can be done about it


jak się mówi

(idiomatic) Alternative form of jak to mówią


czy ja coś mówię

(idiomatic) used to reassure that one does not have anything to add to what was said Did I say anything?


nawet mi nie mów

(colloquial, idiomatic) tell me about it


nie ma o czym mówić

Literally, “there is nothing to talk about”.

(idiomatic) don't mention it (you're welcome)

(literally) used when the speaker thinks there is nothing to say; there's nothing to tell!


tak się tylko mówi

(idiomatic) used to express doubt of a phrase or saying it's just a saying; it's an expression


nie mów

(idiomatic) expresses surprise and disbelief; my word


co ja mówię

(idiomatic) used when the speaker wishes to clarify something just said; what am I saying?


mówisz i masz

Literally, “you say it and you have it”.

ask and you shall receive
ask and you shall receive

(idiomatic) used when the speaker wants to convey that the listener may have whatever they desire; ask and you shall receive; you name it


lepiej nie mówić

(idiomatic) used when the speaker thinks a situation is so bad that talking about it will not help; It's better not to say


niech się dzieje, co chce

/ˈɲɛx.ɕɛ ˈd͡ʑɛ.jɛ ˈt͡sɔ ˈxt͡sɛ/

Literally, “let happen, what wants [to]”.


wierzyć się nie chce

/ˈvjɛ.ʐɘt͡ɕ ɕɛ ɲɛ xt͡sɛ/

Literally, “one does not want to believe [it]”.

(idiomatic) used to express the speaker's shock and surprise; I can't believe it!


rzygać się chce

/ˈʐɘ.ɡat͡ɕ ɕɛ xt͡sɛ/

Literally, “one feels like throwing up”.

(idiomatic, colloquial) expresses the speaker's disgust and disapproval; It makes me sick!


o wilku mowa, a wilk tuż

o wilku mowa, a wilk tu
o wilku mowa, a wilk tu#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of o wilku mowa, a wilk tu


sztuka w tym

cała sztuka w tym
cała sztuka w tym#Polish


i wilk syty, i koza cała

i wilk jest syty, i owca cała
i wilk jest syty, i owca cała#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of i wilk jest syty, i owca cała


cała sztuka w tym

Literally, “the whole trick is in this”.

(idiomatic) the trick is (the most difficult aspect is in [the following noun]) [with że]


i wilk jest syty, i owca cała

Literally, “both the wolf is full and the sheep is intact”. Compare Russian и о́вцы це́лы, и во́лки сы́ты (i óvcy cély, i vólki sýty).

cog

и о́вцы це́лы, и во́лки сы́ты

(idiomatic) win-win! (both parties benefit from a given solution)


cała przyjemność po mojej stronie

/ˈt͡sa.wa pʂɘˈjɛm.nɔɕt͡ɕ pɔ ˈmɔ.jɛj ˈstrɔ.ɲɛ/

Literally, “all of the pleasure is on my side”.

lit

the pleasure is all mine
the pleasure is all mine


nie powiem

(idiomatic, colloquial) used to indicate that what is said adequately describes something; I'll say


powiedział, co wiedział

Rhyme, literally, “he said what he knew”.

I call it like I see it
call it as one sees it


numer nie odpowiada

telefon nie odpowiada
telefon nie odpowiada#Polish

(telephony) Alternative form of telefon nie odpowiada


telefon nie odpowiada

Literally, “the telephone number doesn't match”.

(telephony) a telephone line is dead; no one is answering at a given number


ciąg dalszy nastąpi

Literally, “the next part will take place”.

(idiomatic, television) used at the end of an episode of a serial publication or program to indicate that the story continues in the next episode; to be continued

(colloquial, idiomatic) used to indicate that a story under discussion has not concluded, either in narration or in reality; to be continued


wszystkiego najlepszego

Ellipsis of życzę ci wszystkiego najlepszego, literally, “[I wish you] all the best”.

ellipsis

wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin


samo życie

/ˈsa.mɔ ˈʐɘ.t͡ɕɛ/

Literally, “just life”, or more loosely translated as “life itself”.


życie niemiłe

/ˈʐɘ.t͡ɕɛ ɲɛˈmi.wɛ/

życie jest niemiłe
życie jest niemiłe#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of życie jest niemiłe [with dative ‘for whom’]


życie jest niemiłe

/ˈʐɘ.t͡ɕɛ jɛst ɲɛˈmi.wɛ/

(idiomatic) One should not do dangerous things and value their life. [with dative ‘for whom’]


jeśli życie miłe

(idiomatic) used as a threat; if one values their life [with dative ‘who’]


przykład idzie z góry

Literally, “[the] example comes from above”.

(idiomatic) people lower in a hierarchy model their behavior on the behavior of those higher in the hierarchy


coś tu nie gra

Literally, “something here doesn't play”.

(idiomatic) something's off, something's not right here, something is wrong, something doesn't add up, something's up


śmiem twierdzić

Coordinate term: śmiem wątpić

(idiomatic) I daresay (used when the speaker wants to express an opinion in a polite but firm manner)


śmiem wątpić

Coordinate term: śmiem twierdzić

(idiomatic) I dare doubt it (used when the speaker wants to politely question the validity or truthfulness of something)


jak leci

(colloquial, idiomatic) how are you?, how's it going?, what's up? (what's happening?; what are you doing?)


nie ma przebacz

(colloquial, idiomatic) Alternative form of nie ma zmiłuj


nie ma zmiłuj

no rest for the weary
no rest for the weary

no rest for the wicked
no rest for the wicked

(colloquial, idiomatic) no rest for the weary, no rest for the wicked (one cannot avoid something and must do or experience it because no one will show them mercy)


przypadki chodzą po ludziach

nieszczęścia chodzą po ludziach
nieszczęścia chodzą po ludziach#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of nieszczęścia chodzą po ludziach.


nieszczęścia chodzą po ludziach

/ɲɛʂˈt͡ʂɛɲ.ɕt͡ɕa ˈxɔ.d͡zɔw̃ pɔˈlu.d͡ʑax/

Literally, “Misfortunes go about people”.

(idiomatic) Something bad can happen to anyone.


dobrydzień

/dɔbˈrɘ.d͡ʑɛɲ/

Univerbation of dobry dzień. Compare dobranoc. Congate with Ukrainian добри́день (dobrýdenʹ), Belarusian дабры́дзень (dabrýdzjenʹ).

(dated or regional) Alternative form of dobry dzień.


dobry dzień

/ˈdɔb.rɘ d͡ʑɛɲ/

Inherited from Old Polish *dobry dzień. By surface analysis, literally, “good day”.

surf

(idiomatic, dated) Alternative form of dzień dobry.


wyżej sra, niż dupę ma

Rhyme, literally, “[s/he] shits higher than where [s/he] has [their] ass”. Compare French péter plus haut que son cul.

m-g

􂀿s/he􂁀 shits higher than where 􂀿s/he􂁀 has 􂀿their􂁀 ass

lit

they have their head up their ass
have one's head up one's ass

they are full of themselves
full of oneself

(idiomatic, vulgar) used when someone considers themselves better than the speaker thinks they ought to; (roughly) they have their head up their ass; they are full of themselves


daj żyć

(colloquial, idiomatic) used when someone wants to express impatience with someone's statement and persuade someone to change the topic of conversation or stop asking about something; get a life!

(colloquial, idiomatic) used when someone wants to express their disbelief and surprise; no way!


kiszki marsza grają

Literally, “[someone's] guts of are playing [the] march”.

m-g

􂀿someone's􂁀 guts of are playing 􂀿the􂁀 march

lit

(humorous, idiomatic) someone is starving; someone is very hungry [with dative ‘who is hungry’]


w to graj

(idiomatic) something is someone's jam (someone very much likes something) [with dative ‘whose jam’]


grunt to

(idiomatic) the key is, the main thing is


dziw bierze

(idiomatic) Alternative form of aż dziw bierze


aż dziw bierze

(idiomatic) it is a wonder (it is surprising)


psy dupami szczekają

Literally, “dogs bark with [their] asses”.

(colloquial, humorous, idiomatic, vulgar) this place is the boonies; Bumfuck; middle of nowhere


trup ściele się gęsto

/trup ˈɕt͡ɕɛ.lɛ ɕɛ ˈɡɛw̃s.tɔ/

(idiomatic, literary) many people are being killed

(colloquial, idiomatic, soccer) players are fouling left and right


służba nie drużba

business before pleasure
business before pleasure

(idiomatic) business before pleasure; service duties are more urgent and important than other matters (usually used as a justification for why someone gives up more enjoyable activities in favor of their duties)


kończ waść, wstydu oszczędź

/kɔɲt͡ʂ faɕt͡ɕˌ ˈfstɘ.du ˈɔʂ.t͡ʂɛɲt͡ɕ/

Literally, “cut it out, save [me the] embarrassment”. From Henryk Sienkiewicz's historical novel The Deluge.

lit

Dla premiera Morawieckiego mam tylko jedną radę: „kończ waść, wstydu oszczędź” – stwierdził na konferencji prasowej w ratuszu prezydent Warszawy.

2023 November 7, Aleksander Sławiński, “Rafał Trzaskowski o decyzji Andrzeja Dudy w sprawie nowego rządu: „Premier na pewno będzie nasz””, in wyborcza.pl, archived from the original on 2023-11-10:

I have only one piece of advice for Prime Minister Morawiecki: “cut it out, save yourself from shame,” said the mayor of Warsaw at the press conference at City Hall.

(idiomatic) used to ask someone to spare the speaker the embarrassment and end the humiliation, even at the cost of ultimate defeat


koniec tego dobrego

/ˈkɔ.ɲɛt͡s ˈtɛ.ɡɔ dɔbˈrɛ.ɡɔ/

dość tego dobrego
dość tego dobrego#Polish

(dated, idiomatic) Alternative form of dość tego dobrego


dość tego dobrego

/dɔɕt͡ɕ ˈtɛ.ɡɔ dɔbˈrɛ.ɡɔ/

Literally, “enough of the good [thing]”.

(dated, idiomatic) enough, stop (used to firmly express the opinion that what is being discussed has gone on too long and the speaker wants it to stop)


szału nie ma

(colloquial, idiomatic) nothing special (the thing in question is not stunning and remarkably good but simply mediocre)


żeby nie wiem co

/ˈʐɛ.bɘ ɲɛ vjɛm t͡sɔ/

Literally, “even if I do not know what”.

(colloquial, idiomatic) no matter what (the thing in question is happening, will happen, is being done, or will be done no matter what, regardless of any adversity)


żeby skały srały

(colloquial, idiomatic, vulgar) no matter what (the thing in question is happening, will happen, is being done, or will be done no matter what, regardless of any adversity)


żeby się waliło i paliło

Literally, “even if it was crashing and burning”.


ze świecą szukać

(idiomatic) one would have to go to great lengths in order to find the object or person in question

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see ze, świeca, szukać.


czas nagli

(idiomatic) time is getting on (one needs to be in a big hurry, as a deadline is approaching)


karma wraca

what goes around comes around
what goes around comes around

(idiomatic) what goes around comes around (person's actions, whether good or bad, will often have consequences for that person)


z tej mąki chleba nie będzie

Literally, “there will be no bread from this flour”.

lit

(idiomatic) nothing good will come of this (the person in question will fail or will not meet the hopes and expectations associated with him or her)


prawie robi wielką różnicę

/ˈpra.vjɛ ˈrɔ.bi ˈvjɛl.kɔw̃ ruʐˈɲi.t͡sɛ/

Literally, “almost makes [a] big difference”. Originally coined as an advertising slogan by the Polish Żywiec Brewery in 2005. Usually used as a reply to someone saying prawie.

almost doesn't count
almost doesn't count

(idiomatic) almost doesn't count, close, but no cigar (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite)


kto by pomyślał

who would have thunk it
who would have thunk it

(idiomatic) who would have thunk it (rhetorical question used to express incredulity)


koń by się uśmiał

(idiomatic) a comment about something nonsensical, absurd


w dupie szczypie

Literally, “it stings in the ass”.
* IPA⁽ᵏᵉʸ⁾: /v ˈdu.pjɛ ˈʂt͡ʂɘ.pjɛ/
* Rhymes: -ɘpjɛ

pl-p

(idiomatic, vulgar) something pisses someone off


tylko siąść i płakać

Literally, “just sit down and cry”.
* IPA⁽ᵏᵉʸ⁾: /ˈtɘl.kɔ ɕɔɲɕt͡ɕ i ˈpwa.kat͡ɕ/
* Rhymes: -akat͡ɕ

(idiomatic) used to describe a situation that is so hopeless that nothing can be done to fix it anymore, so the speaker feels devastated


korona z głowy nie spadnie

Literally, “the crown won't fall off of someone's head”.

lit

(idiomatic) something won't kill someone (something will not be a big problem)


korona z głowy nie spada

Literally, “the crown doesn't fall off of someone's head”.

lit

(idiomatic) something doesn't kill someone (something is not be a big problem)


cholera bierze

* IPA⁽ᵏᵉʸ⁾: /xɔˈlɛ.ra ˈbjɛ.ʐɛ/
* Rhymes: -ɛʐɛ

pl-p

(colloquial, mildly vulgar, idiomatic) someone got upset and outraged by the given state of affairs


diabli biorą

* IPA⁽ᵏᵉʸ⁾: /ˈdjab.li ˈbjɔ.rɔw̃/
* Rhymes: -ɔrɔw̃

(colloquial, idiomatic) something is gone

(colloquial, idiomatic) someone got upset and outraged by the given state of affairs


szlag trafia

* IPA⁽ᵏᵉʸ⁾: /ʂlak ˈtra.fja/
* Rhymes: -afja

(colloquial, idiomatic) something has stopped functioning

(colloquial, idiomatic) something ceased to exist suddenly, in an instant

(colloquial, idiomatic) someone got very upset about a situation or event


cholera wzięła

* IPA⁽ᵏᵉʸ⁾: /xɔˈlɛ.ra ˈvʑɛ.wa/
* Rhymes: -ɛwa


szlag trafił

* IPA⁽ᵏᵉʸ⁾: /ʂlak ˈtra.fiw/
* Rhymes: -afiw

(colloquial, idiomatic) someone died a sudden death


chuj strzelił

* IPA⁽ᵏᵉʸ⁾: /xuj ˈstʂɛ.liw/
* Rhymes: -ɛliw

(idiomatic, vulgar) something ceased to exist suddenly, in an instant

(idiomatic, vulgar) someone got very upset about a situation or event

(idiomatic, vulgar) someone died a sudden death


diabli wzięli

* IPA⁽ᵏᵉʸ⁾: /ˈdjab.li ˈvʑɛ.li/
*
 Audio: (file)
* Rhymes: -ɛli


diabli wzięli

(colloquial, idiomatic) someone is lost and it is not known what is happening to them


co tam

(colloquial, idiomatic) how are you?, how's it going?, what's up? (what's happening?; what are you doing?)


to by było na tyle

Conflation of to byłoby wszystko (“that would be all”) and to tyle na dziś (“that's it for today”). Coined by Jan Tadeusz Stanisławski as a way to jokingly end his radio program.

(colloquial, idiomatic) this is it, that's a wrap (used to indicate that something has been finished, especially after a long speech or text)


tu się zgina dziób pingwina

Rhyme, literally, “this is where the penguin's beak bends”.

lit

(idiomatic, colloquial, offensive, derogatory) used to express complete disregard for someone or something


chciały żaby króla, dostały bociana

/ˈxt͡ɕa.wɘ ˈʐa.bɘ krulaˌ dɔsˈta.wɘ bɔˈt͡ɕa.na/

Literally, “the frogs wanted a king, they got a stork”. The idiom comes from the common myth that storks frequently eat frogs, when in fact, these birds only do this occasionally. Coined by ancient Greek storyteller Aesop in The Frogs Who Desired a King.

coin

(humorous, uncommon, idiomatic) you don't always get what you expected


rado bywa

(Kuyavia, idiomatic) used when something occurs somewhere frequently; it happens