Significado
To not contact anyone for a long time.
Contexto cultural
Poles are generally very communicative with family. 'Nie dawać znaku życia' is often used by parents as a mild guilt-trip to encourage more frequent calls. The rise of 'ghosting' has given this old idiom a second life among Gen Z and Millennials in Poland, replacing more technical terms. In Polish business culture, silence is often interpreted as a sign of trouble or lack of interest, leading to the frequent use of this phrase in follow-up emails. In classic Polish literature, this phrase often appeared in the context of national uprisings, where families waited for news from soldiers.
Use it for 'Ghosting'
If you want to sound like a native speaker when talking about dating, use this instead of the English word 'ghosting'.
Genitive Case
Always use 'znaku' (Genitive) after 'nie dawać'. Using 'znak' (Accusative) is a very common learner mistake.
Significado
To not contact anyone for a long time.
Use it for 'Ghosting'
If you want to sound like a native speaker when talking about dating, use this instead of the English word 'ghosting'.
Genitive Case
Always use 'znaku' (Genitive) after 'nie dawać'. Using 'znak' (Accusative) is a very common learner mistake.
Emotional Weight
Be aware that this phrase can sound quite strong. If you say it to someone, they might feel you are accusing them of being inconsiderate.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word in the correct case.
Marek od tygodnia nie daje ______ życia.
Because of the negation 'nie daje', the noun 'znak' must be in the Genitive case, which is 'znaku'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say someone is ghosting you?
Spotykaliśmy się, ale on nagle...
'Przestał dawać znaku życia' (stopped giving a sign of life) is the standard way to describe ghosting.
Match the response to the situation.
Twoja mama martwi się o brata, który nie dzwoni z wakacji. Co powiesz?
This is the correct idiom and case usage.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Czy wiesz co u Anki? B: Nie, od kiedy wyjechała do USA, w ogóle ______.
The context implies a lack of contact, so the negative form is required.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Levels of Disappearing
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMarek od tygodnia nie daje ______ życia.
Because of the negation 'nie daje', the noun 'znak' must be in the Genitive case, which is 'znaku'.
Spotykaliśmy się, ale on nagle...
'Przestał dawać znaku życia' (stopped giving a sign of life) is the standard way to describe ghosting.
Twoja mama martwi się o brata, który nie dzwoni z wakacji. Co powiesz?
This is the correct idiom and case usage.
A: Czy wiesz co u Anki? B: Nie, od kiedy wyjechała do USA, w ogóle ______.
The context implies a lack of contact, so the negative form is required.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt's better to say 'samochód nie zapala' or 'nie reaguje.' Using 'nie daje znaku życia' for a car sounds like you're treating the car like a person.
It is always 'znaku' when negated (nie dawać znaku). If you were to say 'give a sign' (positive), it would be 'dać znak'.
It's not rude, but it can be accusatory. 'Dlaczego nie dajesz znaku życia?' sounds like 'Why are you ignoring me?'
The perfective version is 'nie dać znaku życia.' Use it for a one-time failure to contact.
Yes, it's common when a partner is not responding, but keep it professional: 'Zauważyliśmy, że od tygodnia nie dają Państwo znaku życia...'
Literally, it could, but in 99% of modern conversations, it just means they aren't answering their phone.
You can say 'ghostować' (slang) or the more traditional 'nie dawać znaku życia.'
Yes, 'Oni nie dają znaku życia.'
Yes, very frequently, especially in crime novels and dramas.
There isn't one single idiom, but 'odezwać się' (to get in touch) is the standard verb.
Frases relacionadas
zapaść się pod ziemię
similarTo disappear completely.
milczeć jak grób
similarTo be silent as a grave.
ani widu, ani słychu
synonymNeither seen nor heard.
odezwać się
contrastTo get in touch.
ghostować
specialized formTo ghost someone.
