Signification
To suggest something without saying it directly.
Contexte culturel
In Polish business culture, 'dawać do zrozumienia' is a way to test the waters before making a formal proposal. It allows both parties to avoid 'losing face'. In some regional dialects, indirectness is even more pronounced. People might use 'dować znać' in a similar way, but 'dawać do zrozumienia' remains the standard for intellectual or emotional hints. Professors often use this phrase in feedback to students to be 'delicate' about poor performance without being crushing. Younger Poles use 'dawać do zrozumienia' to describe 'soft launching' a relationship on Instagram (posting a photo of two coffees without showing the partner).
Use the Perfective for Results
If the person actually understood your hint, use 'dać'. If you were just trying to hint but they were oblivious, use 'dawać'.
Avoid 'Dla'
Never say 'dawać dla mnie'. It's a common mistake that sounds very 'foreign' or like a specific dialect from Eastern Poland (Podlasie).
Signification
To suggest something without saying it directly.
Use the Perfective for Results
If the person actually understood your hint, use 'dać'. If you were just trying to hint but they were oblivious, use 'dawać'.
Avoid 'Dla'
Never say 'dawać dla mnie'. It's a common mistake that sounds very 'foreign' or like a specific dialect from Eastern Poland (Podlasie).
Silence is a Hint
In Poland, sometimes not answering a question is a way of 'dawanie do zrozumienia' that the question was inappropriate.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'dawać' or 'dać' and the correct pronoun.
Marek nie chciał iść do kina, więc ______ (he hinted to me) do zrozumienia, że jest zajęty.
We use the perfective 'dał' because it's a specific completed action, and 'mi' is the Dative form of 'ja'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct option:
It requires the Dative 'mi' and the noun 'zrozumienia'.
Match the action to the phrase.
If someone starts yawning during your story, they are...
Yawning is an indirect signal (a hint) of boredom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Czy szef powiedział, że dostaniesz awans? B: Nie wprost, ale ______ (he hinted it to everyone) podczas zebrania.
This fits the context of an indirect suggestion made to a group.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Dawać vs. Dać do zrozumienia
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMarek nie chciał iść do kina, więc ______ (he hinted to me) do zrozumienia, że jest zajęty.
We use the perfective 'dał' because it's a specific completed action, and 'mi' is the Dative form of 'ja'.
Select the correct option:
It requires the Dative 'mi' and the noun 'zrozumienia'.
If someone starts yawning during your story, they are...
Yawning is an indirect signal (a hint) of boredom.
A: Czy szef powiedział, że dostaniesz awans? B: Nie wprost, ale ______ (he hinted it to everyone) podczas zebrania.
This fits the context of an indirect suggestion made to a group.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot at all! In fact, it's often more polite than being direct, especially in sensitive social situations.
No, it's almost always used with people (Dative case). You give *someone* to understand.
'Sugerować' is more direct and formal. 'Dawać do zrozumienia' feels more like a social 'dance'.
Yes, just use 'wszystkim' (to everyone) or 'im' (to them).
Not directly, but we talk about 'aluzja' (allusion) or 'sugestia' (suggestion).
You can say 'Zrozumiałem aluzję' or 'Domyśliłem się'.
Constantly. It's a favorite of Polish novelists to describe character tension.
Yes, in a professional but non-official email, it works well.
You would say 'Dawał do zrozumienia, że jest bogaty'.
Usually yes, but you can end the sentence with it if the context is clear: 'On tylko dawał do zrozumienia'.
Expressions liées
robić aluzje
synonymTo make allusions
mówić ogródkami
similarTo beat around the bush
czytać między wierszami
builds onTo read between the lines
mówić wprost
contrastTo speak directly
puszczać oko
specialized formTo wink
