How You Say?

Leje jak z cebra!English Phonemes: “LEH-yeh yahk z TSEH-brah”Literal Translation: It pours like from bucket.Elegant Translation: It’s pouring like from a bucket.English Equivalent: It’s raining cats and dogs.This is a colloquialism very similar to the English equivalent. You use it the same way. When it’s really raining hard, you can imagine that it’s not far from a waterfall like stream you’d get from pouring water directly out of a bucket.So the next time you’re hanging out with a Polish-speaking friend or family member, and you get caught in an absolute deluge outside, you can delight them by busting this little number out :-)Leje = he/she/it pours [verb, 3rd p. s. present tense]Jak = like, how [depending on context]Z = from [preposition]Cebra = bucket, pail [noun, masc. obj. form]Also: Please note the pre-show announcement!! “How You Say?” will be taking a 2-month break because your illustrious host with the most is about to deliver a baby! Feel free to follow us on Twitter for updates, but other than that, new shows will be back in July or August! Thanks and hugs!Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Miód Na Duszy English Phonemes: “myood nah DOO-[sz]ih”Literal Translation: Honey on soul.Elegant Translation: Honey on the soul.English Equivalent: Heartwarming.This is a lovely way of saying something warms your heart. Gives you the warm and fuzzies. Like someone pouring honey onto your soul. Sweet and all-enveloping. It’s a nice idiom to know! Enjoy!Miód = honey [noun, masc. s. subj. form]Na = on/onto [preposition]Duszy = soul [noun, fem. s. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

To fraszka!English Phonemes: “toh FRA[SZ]-kah”Literal Translation: This poem.Elegant Translation: This is a poem.English Equivalent: It’s a snap. A “fraszka” is a very specific type of poem. It’s a two-line poem where both lines rhyme and match rhythm almost perfectly. The purpose of it is to convey a witticism or a joke. A lot of people think this is easy, but it takes a real wit to come up with a good one. Sometimes, you’ll see a longer poem like this, where you have two rhyming lines, then two more, and so on. But that’s more of a proper poem in the fraszka style. Kind of like a haiku is 5 7 5 and if you see a longer poem that harkens back to that shape, that’s fine, but it’s not technically a haiku.Examples of this kind of poem include:“Ulepił Pan Bóg figurę z błota,tak przyszedł na świat pierwszy idota.”by Lech NiekarzWhich means: “Lord God clumped a figure out of mud, that’s how the first idiot came to the world.”Or“Czasem się trafia taka parafia,gdzie anioł z diabłem to jedna mafia!”by Jan BesterWhich means: “Sometimes, you chance on a parish where angel and devil are all one mafia.”Anyway, to say something is “to fraszka” is to say that it’s a snap. Easily done. This idiom can be said about any task that you think is simple. In this idiom, you don’t need a verb because the word “is” is implied.Enjoy!To = this, then [depending on context]Fraszka = specific name for the 2-line rhyming poem [proper noun, fem. s. subj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Chcesz mnie nabrać? English Phonemes: “htseh[sz] myneh NAH-brahch”Literal Translation: You want me to take on?Elegant Translation: You want to take me on?English Equivalent: Are you pulling my leg?Bouncing off from last week’s April Fool’s episode, this is a different way to challenge a potential trickster! You can say this to anyone you have an informal relationship with. It’s basically a question form of last week’s episode. (I wanted you to have the variety.) Also, fun fact, if you change the tone, you can absolutely use this as a statement! So, if feel free to adjust the tone to your wishes!Chcesz = you want [verb, 2nd p. s. informal, present tense]Mnie = me [pronoun, s. obj. form]Nabrać = to take on (slang for trick, or fool) [verb, infinitive]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Ty mnie nie nabierzesz! English Phonemes: “tih myneh nyeh nah-BYEH-[rz]e[sz]”Literal Translation: You me not you will take on!Elegant Translation: You’re not gonna take me on!English Equivalent: To pull a fast one on someone.Happy April Fools’ Day!So today I’m going to equip you with one of many ways to say that you’re not going to fall for anyone’s trick! A good defensive phrase for a day like today! So if someone tries to pull a fast one on you, slam back with this phrase!Ty = you [pronoun, s. subj. form, informal]Mnie = me [pronoun, s. obj. form]Nie = not/no [negating word]Nabierzesz = you will take on [verb, 2nd. p. s. future tense, informal]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Psi żywot!English Phonemes: “pshee [Ż]IH-voht”Literal Translation: Dogs’ life.Elegant Translation: Dog life.English Equivalent: Not fit for a dog. Going to the dogs. For the Birds. This phrase describes the idea that life is sub-optimal (unless you’re a dog). You have most of your basic needs met, but you’re not happy. Either you’re working too hard, you don’t get paid enough, your health isn’t 100%, or something. Something is preventing you from having a comfortable day-to-day.Usage-wise, one usually hears this phrase as a response to something in conversation. For example, someone is telling you about how their health care plan has a million and a half hoops to go through, or your friend is describing never-ending overtime at a job they need, or their house keeps having things break and break…. Basically, all of 2020 was barely fit for a dog. You can use this phrase to empathize with a friend, or put a button on your own story of sub-optimal circumstances. Either way, you will impress your Polish speaking friends/family for knowing it!Psi = dogs’ [adj., neutral subj. form]Żywot = life, lifestyle [slang, noun, neutral s. subj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Ale mu nawalił w czapkę!English Phonemes: “AH-leh moo nah-WAH-leew v [CZ]AHP-keh”Literal Translation: How to him he did dump into hat.Elegant Translation: How he dumped into his hat!English Equivalent: To stun someone into silence.This phrase is one of my childhood favorites. It’s a bit naughty without being outright vulgar. And yet, it paints a pretty clear and vivid picture of what’s going on.This phrase is a funny way to say that someone has done something so unexpected to someone else, that that other person has a face that looks as if the person took a poop into their hat. The closest English equivalent here is too broad and doesn’t really cover the exact facial expression this phrase connotes.You may be wondering about whether or not the theoretical hat-owner deserved it. Usage-wise, it can be either scenario. It can be said about a good person who had the perfect comeback to a long-time bully, and it can apply to a frequent trouble-maker who really pulled a nasty move on someone undeserving. It’s mostly about the expression on the receiving person’s face. The last thing I’ll say about this phrase is: don’t mess it up! Nawalić and walić and przywalić and powalić all stem from the same word but depending on their context, take on different meanings. Today’s phrasing intimates one action, but if you change too much around, you’ll distort the meaning completely.Lastly, speaking of changes, here are a couple alternatives in case you are dealing with different genders:If the person who is doing the dumping is female, you need to change the verb ending to “nawaliła” which is the “she” option of the he/she/it construction.If the person who is holding the hat is female, you need to change the “mu” to a “jej” which is the pronoun “her”.Ale = how, what, but [interjection word]Mu = short for ‘jemu’ = to/for him [pronoun, s. obj. form]Nawalił = he did dump [verb, 3rd p. masc. s.past tense]W = in/into [preposition]Czapkę = hat [noun, s. obj. form]Jej = to/for him [pronoun, s. obj. form]Nawaliła = she did dump [verb, 3rd p. fem. s.past tense]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Pierwsza liga!English Phonemes: “PYEHR-v[sz]ah LEE-gah”Literal Translation: First league.English Equivalent: Top notch. First place.This week, let’s learn a cute, positive phrase! Something you can use as a compliment or an exclamation of joyous support. This phrase is used the same way we would say some event or thing was/is “top notch” or “top shelf”, or even “gold medal” or “blue ribbon”. It should be said with passion and gusto!Pierwsza = first [adj., f. s. subj. form]Liga = league [noun, f. s. subj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Podłożyć świnię.English Phonemes: “pohd-WOH-[ż]ihch SHFEEN-y[ę]”Literal Translation: To put under pig.Elegant Translation: To plant a pig.English Equivalent: To trip someone up. This is another fun phrase loosely related to mud-slinging. Picture putting a pig right under someone’s feet. They’d trip, cause quite a hullabaloo, and look silly. That visual should tell you just what’s going on here. It’s more than just trash talking, it’s about deliberately setting someone up to look like an a$$ - especially at work where opinions about outward appearances and performance matter more. Usage Example: Say your friend tells you they keep early hours at their job because they have to leave early to pick up their kids from school. Now picture that they have a coworker who deliberately schedules important meetings late in the day in the hope of making your friend look negligent and bad at their job. That coworker is trying to downright sabotage your friend’s professional reputation - and this phrase applies perfectly to describe what’s going on.I can think of other examples in and outside of work, like how to make someone’s Significant Other look bad in front of a group of friends, or teammates on a team, etc., but the idea is the same all over: Sabotage.Options: you can add the word “komuś ” (someone) or “pod nogi ” (under legs) to be more specific, but that’s not necessary. Podłożyć = to put under [verb, infinitive]Swinię = pig [noun, f. s. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Powiesić na kimś psy.English Phonemes: “poh-VYEH-sheech nah keemsh psih”Literal Translation: To hang on someone dogs.Elegant Translation: To hang dogs on someone.English Equivalent: To sling mud.Bouncing off of of last week’s lesson, we’ve got another idiom that describes and calls out good, ol’-fashioned mud-slinging. As with last week, we’re learning the infinitive form, so you have more flexibility of use without worrying about grammar applicable to only one situation.A special note about grammar here: Last week we saw the object form of someone is “kogoś” and today we’re seeing “kimś”, so you have every right to ask the question: What gives? As I’ve mentioned only a couple times before, Polish grammar is more complex than I teach on the show. If you want to learn about Nominative, Dative, Genitive, Accusative, Vocative, and so on, that level of detail is covered in a comprehensive language course. I’m trying to keep it short and sweet, so as well as translating the words into English, I’m also drawing quick parallels to English grammar. In English, we have sentence subjects and objects, (and even that’s a bit reductive), so that’s how I translate my lessons to keep them light and consumable in 5 minutes. Let me know if you ever want a special Megasode or Video about the bigger nitty gritty. In the kogoś/kimś example here, I could discuss how the idea of mixing someone in mud needs a different part of speech than hanging dogs *on* someone, because effectively, Polish grammar recognizes that those activities USE that “someone” object in different ways, and the way the word looks reflects that. Anyway, special note over. Enjoy!Powiesić = to hang [verb, infinitive]Na = on/onto [preposition]Kimś = someone [noun, masc. s. obj. form]Psy = dogs [noun, masc. pl. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Zmieszać kogoś z błotem.English Phonemes: “ZMYEH-[sz]ahch KOH-gohsh z BWOH-tehm”Literal Translation: To mix someone with mud.Elegant Translation: To coat/cover someone in mud.English Equivalent: To sling mud. A Pole won’t take you apart – he’ll mix you with mud or hang dogs on you (next week’s episode). This week, instead of guessing at scenarios, I wanted to teach you the most generic way to say this so you could repeat it in any number of scenarios where someone is slinging mud at someone else. For the lack of specificity, you’re gaining flexibility. I trust your judgement!Zmieszać = to mix [infinitive]Kogoś = someone [noun, masc. s. obj. form]Z = with [preposition]Błotem = mud [noun, neut. s. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Jeśli nie potrafisz nie pchaj się na afisz.English Phonemes: “YEHSH-lee nyeh poh-TRAH-fee[sz] nyeh phahj shyeh nah AH-fee[sz]”Literal Translation: If not you are able, not shove self onto poster.Elegant Translation: If you’re not able, don’t push yourself onto the poster.English Equivalent: Have you got the skills to pay the bills?This is a hilarious phrase. You’re basically saying, if you haven’t got what it takes, don’t get on the stage. The “poster” in the phrase specifically refers to an advertisement for a show (or film, in the modern sense). Other equivalent phrases include:“If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.”“Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.”The voice and tone of this phrase is 100% informal, definitely don’t use this with someone you have a more distant or professional relationship with. Even if you frame it as “well, you know what they say…” and then use that phrase, unless you know the person, you might accidentally insult them.For friends/family, however, this is hilarious. And deployed skillfully, it could even be a bit of wisdom as well as a playful jab.Jeśli = ifNie = not, no [negates what comes next]Potrafisz = you are able [verb, 2nd p. s. present tense]Pchaj = shove, push [verb, 2nd p. s. present tense - also the imperative instructive form]Się = self [reflective helper word]Na = on, onto [preposition]Afisz = poster [noun, masc. s. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Gruszki na wierzbie!English Phonemes: “GROO[SZ]-kee nah VYE[Ż]-byeh”Literal Translation: Pears on willow.Elegant Translation: Pears on a willow tree.English Equivalent: To promise the moon.In Polish, we don’t promise the moon or the world, we promise to deliver pears on a willow tree. You can use this phrase the same way as the English counterparts :-)Enjoy!Gruszki = pears [noun, f. pl. subj. form]Na = on/onto [preposition]Wierzbie = willow tree [noun, f. s. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Chcesz pozjadać wszystkie rozumy?English Phonemes: “htseh[sz] poh-ZYAH-dahch F[SZ]IHS-tkyeh roh-ZOO-mih”Literal Translation: You want to eat all brains?Elegant Translation: You want to eat up all the brains?English Equivalent: To be smarter than the average bear.This is just a funny way of asking someone if they aim to surpass every brain out there. The phrasing implies part ambition, part inflated ego. There’s nothing wrong with ambition, but too much ego leads to trouble! You you can use this phrase with a friend (it’s informal!) as a friendly supportive ribbing. Chcesz = You want/do you want [verb, 2nd p. s., present tense]Pozjadać = Eat [verb, infinitive]Wszystkie = All [adj. m. pl. obj. form]Rozumy = brains [noun, m. pl. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Pada deszczyk padaPada sobie równoRaz wpadnie na kwiatekRaz wpadnie na... bratek!Literal Translation:It falls, little rain, it fallsIt falls itself evenlyOnce it will fall onto flowerOnce it will fall onto ... PansyElegant Translation:The little rain falls, it fallsIt falls [everywhere] evenlyOnce falling on a flowerOnce falling on a ... pansyI thought I’d celebrate episode 150 and also close out the year with a song! This is a bit naughty, also, as it subverts expectations. At the end of the song, when you pause before delivering the word “bratek”, you have set the rhyme up to be a swear word that starts with ‘g’ and rhymes with ‘równo’. I’m not going to say the word itself, but suffice it to say the “S” in the English abbreviation of “B.S.” is exactly what it means. It’s a funny little song about rain falling uniformly, and unbiased, on all the pretty things and horrible things alike. It’s a cheerful tune, and it’s just a funny joke. I thought I’d share. It’s a pretty popular song. Thank you all for 150 awesome episodes.Have a fun and safe holiday season.I’ll see you all in 2021!Pada (PAH-dah) = he/she/it is falling [verb, 3rd p. s., present tense]Deszczyk (DEH[SZ][CZ]-ihk)= rain [noun, s. masc. subj. form, diminutive]Sobie (SOH-byeh) = itself [reflective word, obj. form]Równo (ROOV-noh) = evenly [adv.]Raz (rahs) = onceWpadnie (FPAHD-nyeh) = he/she/it will fall (onto/into) [verb, 3rd p.s., future tense, needs a preposition to follow]Na (nah) = onto/on [preposition] Kwiatek (KFYAH-tehk) = flower [noun, s. masc. obj. form, diminutive]Bratek (BRAH-tehk) = a Pansy, a specific breed of flower [noun, s. masc. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Jeść nie woła.English Phonemes: “yehshch nyeh VOH-wah”Literal Translation: To eat not calls.Elegant Translation: This doesn’t call out for food.English Equivalent: This can wait.This is an old idiom, and very popular. It perfectly captures the idea that something is not desperate for you attention, like, say, a baby calling out for food would be. It’s used to say “take it easy”, that you can be relaxed and approach a given item/task at your convenience. Jeść = to eat [verb, infinitive]Nie = not/no [negating word]Woła = he/she/it calls [verb, 3rd p. s., present tense]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Nie nabijaj mnie w butelkę.English Phonemes: “nyeh nah-BEE-yahy mnyeh v boo-TEHL-k[ę]”Literal Translation: Not you stuff me into bottle!Elegant Translation: Don’t stuff me into a bottle!English Equivalent: Stop pulling my leg.This is the perfect Polish phrase to encompass the mischief of trying to pull a fast one on someone or in any way trying to pull someone’s leg.Nie = not/no [negating word]Nabijaj = (you) stuff [verb, s. imperative, informal]Mnie = me [obj. form]W = into/in [preposition]Butelkę = bottle [noun, fem. s. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Mucha nie siada!English Phonemes: “MOO-hah nyeh SHYAH-dah”Literal Translation: Fly not sits!Elegant Translation: A fly doesn’t sit!English Equivalent: Flawless. Perfection.This is a really fun phrase to express that something is beyond reproach. Something is so clean, or beautiful, or excellently executed that there is no place a fly could find to sit. I love this phrase. Mucha = fly [noun, fem. s. subj. form]Nie = not, no [negates whatever comes next]Siada = he/she/it will sit [verb, 3rd p. s., present tense]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Trzeba brać nogi za pas!English Phonemes: “T[SZ]EH-bah brahch NOH-gee zah pahs”Literal Translation: It’s necessary to take legs behind belt!Elegant Translation: It’s time to take your legs behind your belt!English Equivalent: To leg it. To take to one’s heels.Like last week, this phrase means it’s time to run away, turn tail, and beat it. Sometimes, the simple advice is the best advice. Enjoy!Trzeba = it is necessary, there is need [slang, shortened from ‘jest potrzeba żeby’]Brać = to take [verb, infinitive]Nogi = legs [noun, pl. f. obj. form]Za = behind, after [preposition]Pas = belt [noun, s. masc. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Trzeba dać nogę!English Phonemes: “T[SZ]EH-bah dahch NOH-g[ę]”Literal Translation: It’s necessary to give leg!Elegant Translation: It’s time to give a leg!English Equivalent: Make a run for it!This is one way to say that it’s time to escape, to make a run for it, to hoof it, to leg it, to run away. (Next week we’ll do another phrase for the same thing!)Sometimes, it’s the best advice you can give someone. Enjoy!Trzeba = it is necessary, there is need [slang, shortened from ‘jest potrzeba żeby’]Dać = to give [verb, infinitive]Nogę = leg [noun, s. f. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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, asKota = cat [noun, masc. s. obj. form]Nie = no, notMa = 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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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, likeGłupi = 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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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, (including the royal ‘we’,) 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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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 = thenAż = 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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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 = whatMyślisz = 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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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 = somethingNa = on [preposition]Ząb = tooth [noun, s. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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 = ohTy = 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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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 = whenPies = 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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

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/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Ale Mu/Jej/Im Się UdałoEnglish Phonemes: “AH-leh moo yehy eem shyeh oo-DAH-woh”Literal Translation: How to him/her/them itself it did succeed.Elegant Translation: How did that work out for him/her/them.English Equivalent: Well, that worked out!Bouncing off of last week’s episode, this is a good phrase for you to describe something working out for someone in the past. It could be applied to a recent event or something long past.Fun Reminder: The verb “uda” is very seldom seen not in the 3rd person singular form. It’s mostly used, in fact, in this type of context. If I want to say “I succeeded” at something, that thought is usually constructed in the form of “it succeeded for me”, which is kind of neat for those of us who subconsciously respond to having a hint of Destiny’s hand in our various doings.I also wanted to present you with options for people for whom something worked out. So below, you’ll have a write up of how to say this for “him”, “her”, and “them”. (Hopefully you remember from last week’s episode that “me” would just be “mi” in Polish.)Enjoy!Ale = how, but [depending on intonation]Mu = (to) him [slang, shortened from ‘jemu’, the obj. form of ‘on’ = he]Jej = (to) her [obj. form of ‘ona’ = she]Im = (to) them [obj. form of ‘oni’ = they]Się = itself [reflective helper word]Udało = it succeeded [past tense, 3rd p. singular]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Może Mi Się UdaEnglish Phonemes: “MOH-[ż]eh mee shyeh OO-dah”Literal Translation: Maybe to me itself it will succeed. Elegant Translation: Maybe it will succeed for me.English Equivalent: I hope this works!This is a phrase I use often. When I’m attempting to do something, big or small, with no guarantee of success, sometimes I mutter this under my breath the same way we might say “you never know” or “let’s see if this works” or “here goes nothing” or “I hope this works” in English. It’s a nifty little hopeful phrase. Enjoy!Może = maybeMi = (to) me [singular obj. form]Się = himself/herself/itself [reflective helper word]Uda = it will succeed [future tense 3rd p. singular]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

To ostatni dzwonek.English Phonemes: “toh ohs-TAHT-nee DZWOH-nehk”Literal Translation: This last little bell.Elegant Translation: This is the final little bell.English Equivalent: Last call!This phrase is the Polish way to say it’s the last chance to do something. “Final warning”, “last call”, and “last chance” are all valid equivalents. You can also remove the “to” part altogether and still maintain the meaning. To = thisOstatni = last [adj. masc. s., subj. form]Dzwonek = bell [diminutive of noun, masc. s., subj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Gdzies tu sie kręci.English Phonemes: “gjyehsh tooh shyeh KR[Ę]-chee”Literal Translation: Somewhere here itself it is spinning.Elegant Translation: He/she/it is spinning around here somewhere.English Equivalent: [XYZ] is/are floating around here somewhere.Whether you’ve temporarily lost track of a friend at a party, or you can’t find some object you just saw a moment ago, this is the phrase for you! Gdzieś = somewhere Tu = here Się = himself/herself/itself [reflective helper word] Kręci = he/she/it is spinning/turning [verb, 3rd p. s.]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Same dobre!English Phonemes: “SAH-meh DOH-breh”Literal Translation: Only good.Elegant Translation: All good. English Equivalent: Only the good stuff. This phrase can refer to something being decadent, as in, a top-shelf experience; or it can mean that it’s the healthiest, best-for-you option. It usually refers to food. One thing I didn’t highlight in the recording is that the adjectives can be singular OR plural. It’s ambiguous by design so you can refer to one or many wonderful things. Same = only, alone [adj. s. (neutral gender) or pl.]Dobre = good [adj. s. (neutral gender) or pl.]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Zjeżdżaj z tąd! English Phonemes: “ZYEH[Ż]-d[ż]ahy s t[ą]t”Literal Translation: Slide down from of here!Elegant Translation: Slide down away from here!English Equivalent: Get out of here!Another charming way to tell someone to beat it! We figured that in the era of social distancing, if you find yourself in Polish-speaking company with someone who isn’t respecting your safety boundaries, you now have a fun way to do something about it. Stay safe, everyone!Zjeżdżaj = slide down [imperative singular informal]Z = from [preposition]Tąd = of here [prepositional obj. form of ‘tu’ (the Polish word ‘here’)]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Ogólnie rzecz biorąc...English Phonemes: “oh-GOOL-nyeh [rz]eh[cz] BYOH-r[ą]c”Literal Translation: Generally thing taking...Elegant Translation: Generally taking a thing...English Equivalent: Overall. Generally speaking. In general.This is a great and useful phrase to have in your back pocket. You can use it as an answer to a question or as part of a bigger sentence. Same as one would use “generally speaking” in English.Ogólnie = generally [adv.]Rzecz = thing [noun, s. obj. form]Biorąc = taking [as in, while in the processing of someone taking something]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

To temat rzeka!English Phonemes: “toh TEH-maht [Ż]EH-kah”Literal Translation: This topic river.Elegant Translation: This is a topic like a river.English Equivalent: It’s a long story. This phrase is used the same way “it’s a long story” is in English. It’s falling out of use, but people still know what it means. It’s a good simile, meant to evoke the feeling of a long and wide and ever-flowing river, which would take a very long time to see every bit of and completely understand.Sidebar grammar note: It’s important to highlight that the word “to” is a noun and not an adjective. If it were acting as an adjective, and we were saying “this topic” as a married pair of words, we’d need the Polish word “ten”. So. Adjective “this” vs. noun “this”.We actually have the same behaviors in English. The English words “this” and “that” can be used as adjectives (eg. this burrito - specifying a particular and close-by instance of a burrito) or nouns (eg. I want this (pointing at something nearby), or “this is what I’m saying” (referencing something abstract that has been established before)).So the idea is exactly the same. It’s just that in Polish, we have different versions for adjective “this” and noun “this”. I mention this because it means that the literal translation as ”this topic” is actually inaccurate. It’s more like “this is a topic” where “is” and “a” are understood. I’m laughing out loud as I type this for you. The topic of this little three-word phrase is like a river! Yay irony!To = this [noun, subj. form]Temat = topic [noun. s. subj. form]Rzeka = river [noun. s. subj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

O mały włos! English Phonemes: “oh MAH-wih vwohs”Literal Translation: By little hair.Elegant Translation: By a tiny hair.English Equivalent: By the skin of their teeth.This phrase is used to describe something as a close call, either in the good or bad sense. The English phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth” is a very close equivalent, though it usually has a connotation to a negative event — which someone narrowly avoided, or scraped by “by the skin of their teeth”. But “o mały włos” can be associated with both positive and negative events.Fun Fact: Google translates this as phrase as “for little hair” which is a totally fair word-for-word translation, but it didn’t choose the correct preposition definition and so the meaning is completely obscured. Aren’t languages fun?O = by, about, of, for, concerning, against, over [preposition]Mały = little, tiny [adj., s. masc. obj. form]Włos = hair [noun, s. masc. obj. form]Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Czasami!English Phonemes: “[cz]ah-SAH-mee”Literal Translation: Sometimes.Short lesson this week!Spring-boarding off of last week’s episode, this word shares a common root with the word “czas” (time).You can use this the same way as you use “sometimes” in English. Yay!Czasami = sometimes, at timesSupport the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink

Raz Na Jakiś CzasEnglish Phonemes: “rahs nah YAH-keesh [cz]ahs”Literal Translation: Once on some time.Elegant Translation: Once in some time.English Equivalent: Once in a while.This is a great phrase to know. It comes up often. You can use it casually, or in formal settings. You can have it be part of a thought or as a stand-alone statement. Use it just like the phrase “once in a while” in English!Raz = once Na = on/ontoJakiś = some, any [adj. s. obj. form]Czas = time [n. s. obj. form] Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/howyousayfmEmail us! mailbag@howyousay.fmTweet us! @HowYouSayFMSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Rate the show!Visit the website! www.howyousay.fmPermalink