Significado
Relying on what someone promised.
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'słowność' is a major character trait in Poland. Being 'słowny' means you are reliable and your word is your bond. In Polish business, verbal agreements made during lunch or coffee are often followed up with this phrase to signal that the agreement is now 'active' before the lawyers get involved. The 'szlacheckie słowo honoru' was so strong that noblemen sometimes didn't need written contracts for huge land deals. On Polish Twitter/X, users often 'łapią za słowo' politicians by digging up old tweets to show contradictions.
Use it to be charming
Using this phrase when someone offers something nice makes you sound enthusiastic and confident in your Polish.
Watch the 'kogoś'
Don't forget to change 'kogoś' to the person you are talking to (cię, pana, panią).
Significado
Relying on what someone promised.
Use it to be charming
Using this phrase when someone offers something nice makes you sound enthusiastic and confident in your Polish.
Watch the 'kogoś'
Don't forget to change 'kogoś' to the person you are talking to (cię, pana, panią).
The 'Trzymam' trick
If you want to sound even more natural, use 'Trzymam cię za słowo' to show you are still waiting for the promise to be fulfilled.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Obiecałeś mi pomoc, więc teraz ______ cię za słowo!
The sentence requires the first-person singular present tense of 'łapać' (I catch).
Which sentence means 'I will hold you to that'?
Wybierz poprawne zdanie:
'Słowo' is the correct noun, and 'za' is the correct preposition.
Match the response to the statement.
Statement: 'W przyszłym roku pojadę z tobą do Japonii.'
This is the natural response to a big promise or plan.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Jeśli zdasz egzamin, kupię ci auto.' B: 'Naprawdę? No to ______!'
B is the one holding A to the promise.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosObiecałeś mi pomoc, więc teraz ______ cię za słowo!
The sentence requires the first-person singular present tense of 'łapać' (I catch).
Wybierz poprawne zdanie:
'Słowo' is the correct noun, and 'za' is the correct preposition.
Statement: 'W przyszłym roku pojadę z tobą do Japonii.'
This is the natural response to a big promise or plan.
A: 'Jeśli zdasz egzamin, kupię ci auto.' B: 'Naprawdę? No to ______!'
B is the one holding A to the promise.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's generally friendly or neutral. It only becomes rude if you use it to aggressively pressure someone who was clearly joking.
Yes, but use the formal version: 'Trzymam Pana/Panią za słowo.' It shows you are professional and attentive.
'Złapać' is the act of accepting the promise. 'Trzymać' is the state of expecting them to keep it.
No, that would be 'łapać za słówka' and it means something completely different (nitpicking).
Not a direct one, but 'Słowo się rzekło' is a common idiomatic way to say the same thing more traditionally.
Technically yes, but it's mostly used for verbal ones. For written ones, we usually say 'zgodnie z umową'.
You can say 'Zostałem złapany za słowo' or 'Złapano mnie za słowo'.
Very! It's a staple of Polish dialogue in rom-coms and crime dramas alike.
Yes, if someone says 'I'll show you!', you can say 'Złapię cię za słowo' to show you aren't afraid.
Usually 'Oczywiście!' (Of course!) or 'Nie ma problemu!' (No problem!).
Frases relacionadas
Trzymać kogoś za słowo
similarTo hold someone to their word.
Słowo daję
builds onI give my word / I promise.
Rzucać słowa na wiatr
contrastTo make empty promises.
Łapać za słówka
similarTo nitpick or twist someone's words.
