Significado
To feel nervous or afraid.
Contexto cultural
In Poland, admitting you have 'pietra' is often a way to bond. It's very common among students during 'sesja' (exam period). Younger generations might use 'mieć cykora' or 'stresować się', but 'mieć pietra' remains a classic that everyone understands, from kids to grandparents. Sports journalists often use this phrase to describe the pressure on the national football team. In many Polish comedies from the 90s, characters use this phrase to show they aren't as tough as they look.
Use it to sound natural
Instead of always saying 'boję się', use 'mam pietra' to sound like a local in casual settings.
Watch the spelling
It's 'pietra', not 'piętra'. The 'ę' would change the meaning to 'floors'.
Significado
To feel nervous or afraid.
Use it to sound natural
Instead of always saying 'boję się', use 'mam pietra' to sound like a local in casual settings.
Watch the spelling
It's 'pietra', not 'piętra'. The 'ę' would change the meaning to 'floors'.
Add adjectives
Use 'niezłego', 'wielkiego', or 'strasznego' to show exactly how nervous you are.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'mieć'.
Marek i Ania ____ pietra przed jutrzejszym ślubem.
Marek and Ania are 'they' (oni), so the correct form is 'mają'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I'm very scared' using this idiom?
'Pietra' is masculine genitive, so the adjective 'wielki' must become 'wielkiego'.
Match the situation to the best use of 'mieć pietra'.
Situation: You are about to go on stage to sing.
This correctly uses the idiom to express nervousness due to a specific reason.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Idziesz na ten horror do kina? B: Nie, nie idę. ____.
The standard idiom is 'mieć pietra'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Fear Levels in Polish
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMarek i Ania ____ pietra przed jutrzejszym ślubem.
Marek and Ania are 'they' (oni), so the correct form is 'mają'.
How do you say 'I'm very scared' using this idiom?
'Pietra' is masculine genitive, so the adjective 'wielki' must become 'wielkiego'.
Situation: You are about to go on stage to sing.
This correctly uses the idiom to express nervousness due to a specific reason.
A: Idziesz na ten horror do kina? B: Nie, nie idę. ____.
The standard idiom is 'mieć pietra'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's not rude or vulgar. It's just very informal slang.
Only with colleagues you are close to. Don't use it with your boss in a formal meeting.
'Bać się' is the standard verb for 'to fear'. 'Mieć pietra' is specifically for that nervous, jittery feeling before something happens.
No, 'pietra' is used as a singular mass noun in this idiom.
Yes! 'Dostać pietra' means 'to get scared' (the moment the fear starts).
It's completely gender-neutral.
It's better for situational nerves. For a deep phobia, 'bać się' or 'mieć lęk' is better.
Miałem pietra (m), Miałam pietra (f), Mieliśmy pietra (plural).
Yes, it has been around for over a century, but it's still very much in use.
'Wielkiego' (Mam wielkiego pietra).
Frases relacionadas
mieć cykora
synonymTo be chicken/scared.
trząść portkami
similarTo shake in one's boots.
mieć stracha
synonymTo have a 'fright'.
nie pękać
contrastTo not crack/to be brave.
mieć duszę na ramieniu
similarTo have one's soul on one's shoulder.
