Did you know that ‘tak’ not always means ‘yes’ or ‘co’ doesn’t translate only as ‘what’? We have for you 5 common Polish words that, used in certain phrases, change their meanings completely.
Tak used before an adverb or an adjective translates as ‘so’ or ‘such,
Nie jedź tak szybko! – Don’t drive so fast.
Nigdy wcześniej nie spotkałam tak upartej osoby. – I’ve never met such a stubborn person before.
Tak can also be used as an equivalent of English ‘like that, that way’; mostly used in spoken Polish
Zróbmy to tak! – Let’s do it like that!
Tak wygląda ładnie. – It looks nice that way (like that). (notice that adding a comma would change the meaning: Tak, wygląda ładnie – Yes, it looks nice)
Ale added at the beginning of a sentence expresses exclamation, puts an emphasis.
Ale dzisiaj jest ładna pogoda! – It’s such a nice weather today!
Ale jestem zmęczona! – I’m so tired!
Ten sweter jest za duży. – This sweater is too big.
To mieszkanie jest za małe. – This flat is too small.
Co is used to express frequency
Chodzę do kina co miesiąc. – I go to the cinema every month.
Co drugi dom jest pomalowany na biało. – Every second house is painted white.
Used in informal conversations only.
Wiesz, o czym mówię, nie? – You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?
Chciałbyś wiedzieć, nie? – You would like to know, wouldn’t you?
image credit: https://coffeegeek.tv/best-drinks-at-dutch-bros/
You should take part in a contest for one of the highest quality
sites on the net. I’m going to highly recommend this blog!