Bedeutung
Being available to do something.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Akademicki Kwadrans' (Academic Quarter) allows for a 15-minute delay in meetings. If you 'have time' at 10:00, arriving at 10:10 is often still acceptable. Poles are very direct. If someone says 'Nie mam czasu,' they are not being rude; they are simply stating a fact about their schedule. Tea culture (herbata) is the primary setting for 'having time.' Inviting someone for tea is the standard way to ask for their time. In the workplace, 'mieć czas' is often used to negotiate deadlines. Saying 'Nie mam czasu na ten projekt' is a common way to signal being over-capacity.
The 'Na' Rule
Always use 'na' + Accusative to say what you have time FOR. (e.g., czas na kawę, czas na film).
Negation Case
Remember: 'Nie mam czasu' (Genitive). Using 'czas' in the negative is the #1 giveaway of a beginner.
Bedeutung
Being available to do something.
The 'Na' Rule
Always use 'na' + Accusative to say what you have time FOR. (e.g., czas na kawę, czas na film).
Negation Case
Remember: 'Nie mam czasu' (Genitive). Using 'czas' in the negative is the #1 giveaway of a beginner.
Softening the Blow
To sound more polite when busy, say 'Niestety, nie mam teraz czasu' (Unfortunately, I don't have time right now).
Directness
Don't be offended if a Pole says 'Nie mam czasu' without a long excuse. It's just direct communication.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of 'mieć' and 'czas'.
Ja nie ______ ______ (negation).
Negation of 'mieć' requires the Genitive case 'czasu'.
Which sentence means 'Do you have time for coffee?'
Choose the correct translation:
In a question (affirmative), we use 'czas' (Accusative).
Match the Polish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Basic tense variations of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Masz czas jutro? B: Nie, jutro ______ ______.
B is declining, so the negative genitive form is needed.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Affirmative vs Negative
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenJa nie ______ ______ (negation).
Negation of 'mieć' requires the Genitive case 'czasu'.
Choose the correct translation:
In a question (affirmative), we use 'czas' (Accusative).
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Basic tense variations of the phrase.
A: Masz czas jutro? B: Nie, jutro ______ ______.
B is declining, so the negative genitive form is needed.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenYes, but 'Mam czas' is more common when talking about availability. 'Wolny czas' is usually used as a noun phrase, like 'W wolnym czasie lubię czytać.'
Not necessarily, but adding 'przepraszam' (sorry) or 'teraz' (now) makes it much softer and more polite.
Use 'Masz chwilę?' or 'Masz chwilę czasu?'. It's very common in offices.
'Czas' is time in general; 'godzina' is a specific hour or clock time.
No. Use 'dobrze się bawić' or 'miło spędzać czas'.
Because the verb 'mieć' (to have) triggers the Genitive case when negated. This is a standard rule in Polish grammar.
You can say 'Kończy mi się czas' or 'Nie mam już czasu'.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend. For extreme formality, use 'dysponować czasem'.
Yes! It means 'I have time for you' and is a very nice thing to say to a friend or partner.
It means 'It's a waste of time' or 'It's not worth the time'.
Będę mieć czas jutro.
Yes, e.g., 'Mam czas czytać' (I have time to read), though 'Mam czas na czytanie' is more common.
People often say 'Nie wyrabiam' if they are extremely busy and have no time.
No, it is standard across all of Poland.
Verwandte Redewendungen
mieć chwilę
similarTo have a moment
tracić czas
contrastTo waste time
znaleźć czas
builds onTo find time
być na czas
contrastTo be on time
po czasie
relatedToo late
