Bedeutung
It is not worth spending effort on this.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Poles value 'konkret' (concreteness). Saying 'szkoda czasu' is often seen as being honest and efficient rather than rude. In modern Polish startups, 'szkoda czasu' is used to kill features or ideas that don't have a clear business value. Grandmothers often use this phrase to discourage grandchildren from 'useless' modern hobbies like gaming. Professors might use this to dismiss outdated theories or poorly researched papers.
The 'Na' Rule
Always pair 'szkoda czasu' with 'na' if you want to specify the activity. It makes you sound much more natural.
Don't be too blunt
If someone invites you somewhere, saying just 'szkoda czasu' can be rude. Add 'Dzięki, ale...' first.
Bedeutung
It is not worth spending effort on this.
The 'Na' Rule
Always pair 'szkoda czasu' with 'na' if you want to specify the activity. It makes you sound much more natural.
Don't be too blunt
If someone invites you somewhere, saying just 'szkoda czasu' can be rude. Add 'Dzięki, ale...' first.
Past Tense
Use 'Szkoda było czasu' to complain about something you already did. It's a very common way to vent.
The Sigh
Poles often pair this phrase with a deep sigh (westchnienie). It adds to the emotional weight of the 'pity'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of 'czas' (time).
Szkoda ____ na ten nudny wykład.
The word 'szkoda' always requires the genitive case, which is 'czasu'.
Which sentence is correct?
You want to say that a movie is not worth watching.
We use 'na' + accusative to indicate the activity/thing.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Chcesz iść na zakupy do centrum? B: Nie, tam są tłumy. ________.
In this context, B is giving a reason why they don't want to go (it's not worth it due to crowds).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are trying to fix a broken toy for 3 hours and it's still broken.
After 3 hours of failed effort, 'szkoda czasu' expresses the realization that the effort isn't worth it.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to say 'Szkoda czasu'
Entertainment
- • Bad movies
- • Boring books
- • Long ads
Work
- • Useless meetings
- • Old software
- • Long emails
Social
- • Internet trolls
- • Toxic exes
- • Pointless arguments
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenSzkoda ____ na ten nudny wykład.
The word 'szkoda' always requires the genitive case, which is 'czasu'.
You want to say that a movie is not worth watching.
We use 'na' + accusative to indicate the activity/thing.
A: Chcesz iść na zakupy do centrum? B: Nie, tam są tłumy. ________.
In this context, B is giving a reason why they don't want to go (it's not worth it due to crowds).
You are trying to fix a broken toy for 3 hours and it's still broken.
After 3 hours of failed effort, 'szkoda czasu' expresses the realization that the effort isn't worth it.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt can be. It's best used with friends or when talking about things (movies, tasks) rather than people's efforts.
It's grammatically okay but sounds like a translation from English. Just say 'Szkoda czasu'.
'Strata czasu' (waste of time) is a bit more formal and noun-like. 'Szkoda czasu' is more idiomatic and common in speech.
Use the dative: 'Szkoda było mojego czasu' or 'Szkoda mi było czasu'.
Only if you are talking about an inefficient process you improved. Don't say it about the interview itself!
No, 'szkoda' usually means 'pity' or 'shame'. It only means 'waste' in specific idioms like this one.
The Accusative case (Biernik). For example: 'Szkoda czasu na kawę' (Accusative).
Yes, 'szkoda prądu' (waste of electricity) is a popular slang alternative.
Yes, but it's very aggressive. It means 'You're not worth my time'.
Szkoda będzie czasu.
Verwandte Redewendungen
szkoda zachodu
synonymnot worth the effort
nie warto
similarit's not worth it
strata czasu
synonyma waste of time
szkoda gadać
specialized formnot worth talking about
marnować czas
builds onto waste time
