Bedeutung
To begin an assigned task.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Poles often use this phrase with a sigh, acknowledging that work is a necessity. There is a cultural concept of 'siła wyższa' (higher force) that sometimes prevents work, so 'zabrać się' signals a victory over that inertia. In modern Polish startups, you might hear the English-influenced 'robić focus' alongside 'zabrać się do pracy'. However, the latter remains the standard for professional commitment. The phrase appears in classic literature (e.g., Prus, Reymont) to describe the industriousness of the peasantry and the burgeoning middle class. Students often use the imperfective 'zabieram się' to mean 'I am intending to start soon', often as a way to delay the actual start.
Use the Imperfective for Habits
If you talk about starting work every day, use 'zabierać się'. If you talk about starting right now, use 'zabrać się'.
The 'Się' Position
In Polish, 'się' usually follows the verb, but in some sentence structures, it can move. However, for beginners, keeping it after 'zabrać' is safest.
Bedeutung
To begin an assigned task.
Use the Imperfective for Habits
If you talk about starting work every day, use 'zabierać się'. If you talk about starting right now, use 'zabrać się'.
The 'Się' Position
In Polish, 'się' usually follows the verb, but in some sentence structures, it can move. However, for beginners, keeping it after 'zabrać' is safest.
Sound like a Native
Add 'w końcu' (finally) to the phrase to express that you've been procrastinating. 'W końcu zabrałem się do pracy!'
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the phrase.
Muszę w końcu ______ się __ pracy.
The standard phrase is 'zabrać się do pracy'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct sentence:
Sentence B includes the reflexive 'się' and the correct genitive form 'pracy'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
Szef: Czy projekt jest gotowy? Pracownik: Jeszcze nie, ale właśnie ______ się do pracy.
The employee is saying they are starting *now*, so the present imperfective 'zabieram' is best.
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
Which phrase fits a very informal situation with friends?
'Robota' is the informal word for work, making 'Weźmy się do roboty' the most casual.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMuszę w końcu ______ się __ pracy.
The standard phrase is 'zabrać się do pracy'.
Choose the correct sentence:
Sentence B includes the reflexive 'się' and the correct genitive form 'pracy'.
Szef: Czy projekt jest gotowy? Pracownik: Jeszcze nie, ale właśnie ______ się do pracy.
The employee is saying they are starting *now*, so the present imperfective 'zabieram' is best.
Which phrase fits a very informal situation with friends?
'Robota' is the informal word for work, making 'Weźmy się do roboty' the most casual.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, it is perfectly natural for cleaning, cooking, or gardening.
'Zacząć' is a neutral 'to start'. 'Zabrać się' implies more effort and a conscious decision to begin.
It's not rude, but it is informal. Don't use it in a formal presentation, but it's fine with colleagues you know well.
Because the preposition 'do' always requires the Genitive case.
Yes! It means to start eating heartily.
You would say 'Zabiorę się do pracy'.
Yes, often when confirming that a task has been initiated.
The sentence will mean you are taking the work somewhere else, which sounds very strange.
Yes, if you view the painting as a project or task to be completed.
You can just say 'Do roboty!' as an exclamation to tell others to start.
Verwandte Redewendungen
wziąć się w garść
similarTo pull oneself together.
zakasać rękawy
similarTo roll up one's sleeves.
obijać się
contrastTo slack off / loaf around.
przystąpić do działania
specialized formTo proceed to action.
mieć pełne ręce roboty
builds onTo have one's hands full of work.
