Bedeutung
Promises that mean nothing.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Poles are culturally quite direct and value 'słowność'. Using 'puste słowa' is a serious way to call out someone's lack of integrity. In modern Polish offices, 'puste słowa' is often used to describe 'corporate speak' (korpomowa) that sounds professional but lacks concrete meaning. Many Polish poets, like Wisława Szymborska, have written about the weight of words, often contrasting them with the 'emptiness' of political speech. On platforms like Wykop or Polish Twitter, 'puste słowa' is used as a hashtag to debunk fake news or unfulfilled influencer promises.
Use with 'tylko'
Adding 'tylko' (only) before the phrase ('to tylko puste słowa') makes your skepticism sound more natural and emphatic.
Watch the Case
Remember that after 'nie wierzę' (I don't believe), you must use 'pustym słowom' (Dative).
Bedeutung
Promises that mean nothing.
Use with 'tylko'
Adding 'tylko' (only) before the phrase ('to tylko puste słowa') makes your skepticism sound more natural and emphatic.
Watch the Case
Remember that after 'nie wierzę' (I don't believe), you must use 'pustym słowom' (Dative).
The 'Czyn' Contrast
To sound like a pro, contrast 'puste słowa' with 'czyny' (deeds). Example: 'Liczą się czyny, nie puste słowa' (Deeds matter, not empty words).
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'puste słowa'.
Nie wierzę jego ________ (Dative plural).
The verb 'wierzyć' requires the Dative case.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'puste słowa'?
Situation: A friend says they will call you at 5 PM but never does for the third time this week.
The phrase describes a broken promise or lack of action.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Obiecuję, że oddam ci pieniądze jutro. B: ________, mówiłeś to samo tydzień temu!
B is expressing skepticism based on past behavior.
Match the Polish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
All pairs are correctly matched to show variations.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Words vs. Deeds in Polish
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNie wierzę jego ________ (Dative plural).
The verb 'wierzyć' requires the Dative case.
Situation: A friend says they will call you at 5 PM but never does for the third time this week.
The phrase describes a broken promise or lack of action.
A: Obiecuję, że oddam ci pieniądze jutro. B: ________, mówiłeś to samo tydzień temu!
B is expressing skepticism based on past behavior.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
All pairs are correctly matched to show variations.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is critical, but not necessarily rude. It depends on your tone. In a debate, it's a standard critique.
Technically yes, but it's very rare. We almost always use the plural because people usually say more than one word when making promises.
There isn't one single idiom, but you can say 'słowa mające wagę' (words with weight) or 'szczere słowa' (sincere words).
Yes, but it's quite strong. Use it only if you are formally complaining about unfulfilled contract obligations.
Yes, but 'obiecanki cacanki' is much more informal and has a mocking, nursery-rhyme quality to it.
Absolutely. You can describe a book or an article as being full of 'puste słowa'.
It becomes 'pustych słów'. Example: 'Mam dość twoich pustych słów.'
Yes, it's a very common theme in Polish rock and pop lyrics about heartbreak and social issues.
Not exactly. A lie is a false statement. 'Puste słowa' are statements that might be true in the moment but lack follow-through or depth.
The verb 'mówić' (to say) or 'rzucać' (to throw).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Słowa rzucone na wiatr
synonymWords thrown to the wind
Obiecanki cacanki
similarPretty promises
Lanie wody
relatedPouring water
Słowo się rzekło
contrastThe word has been spoken (and must be kept)
