On/Ona leje wodę!

English Phonemes: “nyeh lej VOH-d[ę]”

Literal Translation: He/She pours water!

Elegant Translation: He/She is pouring water!

English Equivalent: To waffle. To be noncommittal. 

When a person speaks without substance, they water down the point, they waffle, they avoid a definitive statements, they give evasive answers to questions, this phrase is perfect to call them out on it. Best applied to politicians and writers. :-)

On/Ona = He/She [noun, masc./fem., s. subj. form]
Leje = he/she/it pours [verb, 3rd p. s., present tense]
Wodę = water [noun, f. s. obj. form]

*** If you want the “they” (plural) version of this phrase, it’s “Oni leją wodę.”

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Gdy kota nie ma, myszy harcują.

English Phonemes: “gdih KOH-tah nyeh mah MIH-[sz]ih har-TSOO-y[ą]”

Literal Translation: When cat not has, mice are playing.

Elegant Translation: When there is no cat, the mice play.

English Equivalent: When the cat's away, the mice are at play.

This is a popular phrase. It means that when the authority figure is out, the subordinates break the rules. It’s most commonly used in Polish when parents step out to run errands and their kids make mischief in their absence.

Gdy = when, if, as
Kota = cat [noun, masc. s. obj. form]
Nie = no, not
Ma = he/she/it has [verb, 3rd. p. s., present tense]
Myszy = mice [noun, pl. f. subj. form]
Harcują = they are playing, frolicking, prancing [verb, 3rd. p. pl., present tense]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Śmieje się jak głupi do sera!

English Phonemes: “SHMYEH-yeh shyeh yahk GWOO-pee doh SEH-rah”

Literal Translation: He/She/It laughs itself how idiot to cheese!

Elegant Translation: He/She/It laughs like an idiot to cheese!

English Equivalent: To laugh inappropriately.

This is a great saying for a situation where someone laughs without a good reason. Either they don’t know what’s going on, they feel awkward, they feel nervous, or a myriad of other scenarios. The end result being that they laugh without a reason. They look and sound bonkers. 

Extra bonus usage case: If you find yourself in a scenario where someone says “Say cheese” before taking a picture, your sweet come-back could be “jak głupi do sera” and I guarantee any Polish speakers in the group will laugh outright. :-)

Śmieje = he/she/it laughs or is laughing [verb, 3rd p. s., present tense]
Się = himself/herself/itself [reflective helper word]
Jak = how, like
Głupi = idiot, stupid person [noun, masc. s. subj. form]
Do = to [preposition]
Sera = cheese [noun, masc. s. obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Robimy dobrą minę do złej gry.

English Phonemes: “roh-BEE-mih DOHB-r[ą] MEE-n[ę] doh zwehy grih”

Literal Translation: We are making good face to bad game.

Elegant Translation: We are putting on a good face for a bad game.

English Equivalent: Grin and bear it.

This is a nice way to say “put on a brave face” or “grin and bear it” or even “put on a Poker face”. You can use today’s Polish saying the same way.

In terms of grammar usage, you can manipulate the verb to make it singular or speak in the third person, but I figured the “we” conjugation would be a good catch-all for the average listener, since, you can use it in the most situations, and who doesn’t like a bit of empathy?

Robimy = we are making [v., 1st person plural, present tense]
Dobrą = good [adj. f. s. obj. form]
Minę = face, facial expression [n. f. obj. form]
Do = to, for [directional preposition]
Złej = bad [adj. s. f. obj. form]
Gry = game [n. s. f. obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

W Sam Akurat!

English Phonemes: “v sahm ah-KOO-raht”

Literal Translation: In alone exactly.

Elegant Translation: Exactly right.

English Equivalent: Nailed it. 

This is a neat little way to say that you did something, or something happened, exactly and perfectly so. 

Think of the literal translation as meaning “in the one and only perfect spot!” 

The best way to think about this phrase’s usage is that you can say this in any situation you would use the word “perfectly” in English. So, you arrived home perfectly in time for dinner. Or you spiced your favorite dish perfectly. Or you delivered your prepared monologue perfectly, exactly the way you wanted. 

This sentence can stand on its own, or be part of any bigger sentence. Up to you and your comfort level.

Enjoy!

W = in [preposition]
Sam = alone [s. masc. adj., obj. form]
Akurat = exactly [adv.]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Jak kto głupi, to aż miło!!!

English Phonemes: “yahk ktoh GWOO-pee toh ah[sz] MEE-woh”

Literal Translation: If who stupid, then until nice.

Elegant Translation: When someone’s stupid, then it’s nice.

English Equivalent: Not the sharpest tool in the shed.

This is an old and strange saying which means nothing like what the words actually say. The literal meaning paints a lovely picture of a stupid person obliviously and joyfully romping through their existence. But the meaning of the idiom is more direct: you’re actually saying “you are so dense, you don’t even notice what every basic idiot sees.” If you use this, don’t forget the sarcasm!

This saying is falling out of common language nowadays. A lot of Polish speakers out there might actually use it incorrectly. How nice is it that you have a leg up?

(Also, the word “is” is understood!)

Jak = if, when, how 
Kto = who (but it’s actually shortened slang from “ktoś” meaning “someone”) [s. n. subj. form]
Głupi = stupid [adj. m. subj. form]
To = then
Aż = until, to the point of (also sometimes used as accenting word)
Miło = nice, pleasant [adj. s. neutral subj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Powiem prosto z mostu!

English Phonemes: “POH-wyehm PROHS-toh z MOHS-too”

Literal Translation: I will tell straight from bridge.

Elegant Translation: I will tell it straight from the bridge.

English Equivalent: To speak bluntly. 

When a Polish person tells you something outright, they speak straight from the bridge. A great turn of phrase to use when you’re about to say something without beating about the bush.

Powiem = I will tell/say/speak [1st p. s., verb, future tense, gender agnostic]
Prosto = straight [adj. used as a direction]
Z = from [preposition]
Mostu = bridge [noun, s. neutral, obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Co, myślisz o niebieskich migdałach?

English Phonemes: “tsoh MISH-lee[sz] oh nyeh-BYEHS-keeh meeg-DAHW-ahh”

Literal Translation: What, you are thinking about blue almonds?

Elegant Translation: What, are you thinking about blue almonds?

English Equivalent: To have your head in the clouds.

Polish people don’t daydream, they think about blue almonds! This phrase is perfect if you’re talking to a Polish speaker and they get that Thousand Mile Stare in the middle of a sentence. Also a useful phrase to use if someone is proposing an idea that is truly undoable or fantastical.

Co = what
Myślisz = you are thinking [2nd p. s., present tense, informal]
O = about, of [preposition]
Niebieskich = blue [f. pl. adj., obj. form]
Migdałach = almonds, tonsils [f. pl. n., obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Ale naważyłem/naważyłam piwa!

English Phonemes: “AH-leh nah-vah-[Ż]IH-wehm(wahm) PEE-vah”

Literal Translation: Oh how I brewed beer!

Elegant Translation: Wow, did I brew some beer!

English Equivalent: Mess things up.

This is a funny way to say you messed things up. Other analogous English phrases include “poked the bear” or “stepped in it”. The phrase is a bit old, but it’s still very much in use!

This is very similar to Episode 91, from last year, where we learned “Ale narobiłem/narobiłam bigosu!” meaning Wow, did I make the cabbage stew! That lesson’s phrase is very similar in meaning. Give it a listen!

Ale = how, what, but [interjection word]
Naważyłem/Naważyłam = I brewed [1st p. s., past. Use ‘-em’ if you are male, ‘-am’ if you are female]
Piwa = beer [s. obj. form of ‘piwo’]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Szukać dziury w całym.

English Phonemes: “[SZ]OO-kahch JYOO-rih v TSAH-wihm”

Literal Translation: To look for hole in whole.

Elegant Translation: To look for a hole in the whole.

English Equivalent: Nit-pick. Fault-find. 

This phrase is used to say someone is looking for flaws where there are none. 

I’ll discuss in this episode how you can modify this phrase to better fit your situation, but in essence, you can use this phrase as-is anywhere and be completely correct. 

Enjoy!

Szukać = to look for, to seek [infinitive of the verb]
Dziury = a hole [s. f. obj. form]
W = in, inside of [preposition]
Całym = a whole [masc. s. obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Nie mam sumienia.

English Phonemes: “nyeh mahm soo-MYEH-nyah”

Literal Translation: Not I have conscience.

Elegant Translation: I don’t have the conscience.

English Equivalent: I can’t in good conscience.

This phrase is used when you’re faced with a moral dilemma. A crisis of conscience. You want the last slice of pizza, but you see that 10 year old Molly wants it, too, and you just don’t have it in you to take it. You “don’t have the heart” to take it, as it were.

This phrase is perfect for those situations. When you have the option to do something selfish or naughty, but your better angels take over and you just don’t have enough evil in you to act on that compulsion. It’s a good thing!

Keying off from last week, if you say that “tamten nie ma sumienia“, you are actually saying they have no conscience. In other words, that they sided with the devil on their shoulder. But here, when you are speaking in the first person, you actually mean that you sided with the angel on your shoulder. You can use this phrase to mean that you have no conscience (like “dust” is its own antonym) but it is less common to use it this way.

So, back to the Molly and the pizza example, if you took that last slice, you could follow it up with this phrase. (But don’t be surprised if folks don’t want to be friends with you after pulling a move like that.)

Anyway, it’s a neat little phrase with lots of texture and meaning.

Enjoy!

Nie = not, no [negates whatever comes next]
Mam = I have [1st p. s.]
Sumienia = conscience [s. obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Tamten/tamta jest bez sumienia.

English Phonemes: “TAHM-ten/TAHM-tah nyeh mah soo-MYEH-nyah”

Literal Translation: That one is without conscience.

Elegant Translation: That person has no conscience. 

English Equivalent: They are without conscience.

This is a nice phrase to use to call out that someone did something unconscionable. The words tamten and tamta both mean that (tam) this (ten or ta), but it’s based on the gender of the person you are referring to. (See notes below.)

You can use it as a joke or in serious situations. Your call.

Enjoy!

Tamten/Tamta = that-this (that one) [s. masc./fem., subj. form]
Jest = he/she/it is [3rd. p. s.]
Bez = without [preposition]
Sumienia = conscience [s. obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Nie owijaj prawdę w bawełnę.

English Phonemes: “nyeh oh-VEE-yahy PRAHV-deh v bah-VEHW-neh”

Literal Translation: Not wrap up truth in cotton.

Elegant Translation: Don’t wrap the truth in cotton.

English Equivalent: Don’t beat around the bush.

This is a fun phrase to ask someone to get to the point. Please note that this is informal phrasing, so be aware of whom you use this with. 

Enjoy!

Nie = not, no [negates whatever comes next]
Owijaj = wrap up [s. informal imperative]
Prawdę = truth [s. f. obj. form]
W = in [preposition]
Bawełnę = cotton [s. f. obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Czapka za kapelusz. 

English Phonemes: “[CZ]AHP-kah zah kah-PEH-loo[sz]”

Literal Translation: Cap for hat.

Elegant Translation: A cap for a hat.

English Equivalent: Six of one, half a dozen of another.

This funny phrase is used exactly the same way as “six of one, half a dozen of the other” is in English. Enjoy!

Czapka = cap, hat, toque [noun, s. f. subj. form]
Za = for [preposition]
Kapelusz = hat, usually only a hat with a brim [noun, s. masc. subj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Wezmę coś na ząb.

English Phonemes: “VEHZ-meh tsohsh nah z[ą]b”

Literal Translation: I will take something on tooth.

Elegant Translation: I will take something on the tooth.

English Equivalent: I will nibble something.

Here’s a cute phrase for when you are feeling hungry. You could also say that you want something “on the tooth” or “for the tooth” and it conveys the same meaning. It’s slang for wanting to eat something. Usually in the sense of wanting a snack, in passing, although you can use it to indicate hunger for a meal, and you’ll be understood.

Wezmę = I will take [1st p. s. verb, future tense]
Coś = something
Na = on [preposition]
Ząb = tooth [noun, s. obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

O ty skubańcu! 

English Phonemes: “oh tih skooh-BA[Ń]-tsooh”

Literal Translation: Oh you pecker!

English Equivalent: Hen pecker!

This is a gentle ribbing way to call someone out for being annoying, or even mischievous and sneaky. It is even sometimes used as a euphemism if you want to avoid using naughty grown-up words.

O = oh
Ty = you [noun, subj. form, informal]
Skubańcu = pecker, pincher, picker - one who does the pinching/pecking/picking [vocative singular form of the noun]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Kiedy pies szczeka to nie gryzie.

English Phonemes: “KYEH-dih pyehs [SZ][CZ]EH-kah toh nyeh GRIH-[ź]yeh”

Literal Translation: When dog barks then not bites.

Elegant Translation: When a dog is barking, it’s not biting.

This is a funny phrase to say that that if someone is busy being loud, they don’t have time or energy to do much else. Including thinking, listening, hitting, anything. Wise words!

Kiedy = when
Pies = dog [s. masc. noun, subj. form]
Szczeka = he/she/it barks or is barking [3rd. p. sing. verb, present tense]
To = then, this [depending on context]
Nie = not, no [negates whatever comes after]
Gryzie = he/she/it bites or is biting [3rd. p. sing. verb, present tense]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Przypomniała sobie babka dziewiczy wieczór.

English Phonemes: “p[sz]ih-poh-MNYAH-wah SOH-byeh BAHB-kah jyeh-VEECZ-ih VYEH-[cz]oor”

Literal Translation: She remembered herself grandmother virgin evening.

Elegant Translation: The grandmother remembered the virgin evening.

English Equivalent: You’ve outgrown something.

A “virgin evening” is the literal translation for a bachelorette party. Or a “hen do” for our British and Australian listeners.

This phrase is meant to joke about how a grandmother who has years of life experience and should know better, is suddenly regressing to a younger and more foolish time in her life. You use this phrase when someone says something silly or immature in conversation. 

Enjoy!

Przypomniała = he/she/it remembered [verb, 3rd p. s., past]
Sobie = (to) him/her/itself [reflective helper word, obj. form]
Babka = old woman, grandmother [n. fem. s. subj. form, diminutive] 
Dziewiczy = young woman, virgin [s. masc. adj. obj. form]
Wieczór = evening [s. masc. noun, obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Pod żadnym pozorem.

English Phonemes: “pohd [Ż]AHD-nihm poh-ZOH-rehm”

Literal Translation: Under no pretext.

Elegant Translation: Under no pretense.

English Equivalent: Under no circumstances.

This is a handy phrase to know. I used it earlier when my little one asked to walk the balance beam on the handrail between us and the river. You’ll hear many a Polish parent use this one with their kids to definitively squash a bad idea. I opened my mouth and my mother came out, so I had to share this with you all this week.

“Over my dead body” is another great English equivalent. 

Enjoy!

Pod = under [preposition]
Żadnym = no, any [adj. masc. sing. obj. form]
Pozorem = guise, pretence, circumstance [noun masc. sing. obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm

Wypchaj się sianem.

English Phonemes: “VIHP-haee shyeh SHYAH-nehm”

Literal Translation: Stuff self hay!

Elegant Translation: Stuff yourself with hay!

English Equivalent: Get lost! Beat it!

Another beautiful and colorful way to tell someone to hit the bricks. Harkening back to the first episode of this show - Idź krowie na ogon :-)

Enjoy!

Wypchaj = stuff, cram [singular imperative]
Się = self [reflective helper word]
Sianem = hay [n., singular neutral obj. form]

Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

Email us! mailbag@howyousay.fm
Tweet us! @HowYouSayFM
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Rate the show!
Visit the website! www.howyousay.fm