Dobre serce.
A good heart.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'dobre serce' to describe someone who is genuinely kind, empathetic, and always willing to help others without expecting anything back.
- Means: To be a truly kind-hearted and altruistic person.
- Used in: Complimenting friends, describing heroes, or writing character references.
- Don't confuse: With 'zdrowe serce', which refers to medical cardiovascular health.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
Being a kind person.
Contexte culturel
The 'Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy' (WOŚP) is the biggest charity event in Poland. Every year, millions of Poles are praised for their 'dobre serca' as they donate money for medical equipment. In many Polish folk tales, the hero succeeds not because they are the strongest, but because they show a 'good heart' to an old beggar or a trapped animal who later helps them. The concept of 'dobre serce' is deeply linked to the religious idea of 'miłosierdzie' (mercy). It is seen as a divine trait that humans should emulate. On Polish Instagram or Facebook, you will often see the hashtag #DobreSerce under posts about adoption, charity, or community help.
Use with 'mieć'
Always remember that in Polish you 'have' a good heart. Using 'jestem' (I am) sounds like you are literally a heart organ.
The ultimate compliment
If you want to make a Polish person truly happy, tell them they have a 'dobre serce'. It's more meaningful than 'ładny' (pretty) or 'mądry' (smart).
Signification
Being a kind person.
Use with 'mieć'
Always remember that in Polish you 'have' a good heart. Using 'jestem' (I am) sounds like you are literally a heart organ.
The ultimate compliment
If you want to make a Polish person truly happy, tell them they have a 'dobre serce'. It's more meaningful than 'ładny' (pretty) or 'mądry' (smart).
Gender agreement
Don't forget that 'serce' is neuter. Even if you are talking about a man, the adjective remains 'dobre'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'dobre serce'.
Mój dziadek zawsze pomagał biednym, bo miał ______ ______.
The verb 'mieć' requires the Accusative case. For neuter nouns like 'serce', the Accusative is the same as the Nominative.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'He is a man with a good heart'?
When using the preposition 'o' to describe a trait, we use the Locative case ('dobrym sercu'). 'To jest' is the standard way to introduce a description.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: Pożyczyłem mu pieniądze, choć wiem, że może nie oddać. B: Naprawdę masz ______ ______.
In this context, lending money despite the risk is an act of kindness, which fits 'dobre serce'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to thank a volunteer for their hard work.
'Dobre serce' is the standard compliment for altruistic behavior.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, 'serce' is neuter, so the phrase 'dobre serce' never changes based on the person's gender. 'On ma dobre serce' and 'Ona ma dobre serce' are both correct.
Only if you are thanking someone for a personal favor or a charitable act. In a standard business transaction, it might be too emotional.
The most common opposite is 'złe serce' (bad heart) or 'serce z kamienia' (heart of stone).
Yes, 'dobre serce' and 'serce ze złota' are virtually synonymous, though 'dobre serce' is much more common in daily speech.
Expressions liées
serce na dłoni
similarTo be extremely open and helpful.
gołębie serce
specialized formA very gentle, almost naive kindness.
serce z kamienia
contrastTo be heartless or cruel.
mieć wielkie serce
builds onTo be exceptionally generous.
Où l'utiliser
After a friend helps you move
You: Dziękuję, że pomogłeś mi z tymi kartonami.
Friend: Nie ma problemu, polecam się!
You: Naprawdę, masz dobre serce.
Describing a grandmother
Person A: Jaka była twoja babcia?
Person B: Była cudowna. Miała bardzo dobre serce dla wszystkich.
At a charity event
Organizer: Dziękujemy wszystkim darczyńcom.
Organizer: Wasze dobre serca uratują wiele dzieci.
Job Interview (Soft Skills)
Recruiter: Dlaczego chce pan pracować w hospicjum?
Candidate: Uważam, że w tej pracy trzeba mieć przede wszystkim dobre serce.
Dating App Profile
Profile Bio: Szukam kogoś, kto ma poczucie humoru i dobre serce.
Reacting to a news story
Person A: Czytałeś o tym chłopcu, który oddał oszczędności na schronisko?
Person B: Tak, niesamowite. Ten dzieciak ma wielkie, dobre serce.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Dobre' as 'Door' and 'Serce' as 'Search'. A kind person has an open **Door** for anyone who **Searches** for help.
Visual Association
Imagine a person holding a glowing, warm heart in their hands and offering it to a stranger in the rain. The heart acts as a lamp, lighting up the darkness.
Rhyme
Kto ma dobre serce, ten ma pomocne ręce. (Who has a good heart, has helpful hands.)
Story
A traveler gets lost in a Polish forest. He knocks on a small hut. An old woman gives him her only soup and a warm bed. The traveler says, 'Pani ma dobre serce.' The woman smiles, and the heart on her apron starts to glow.
Word Web
Défi
Try to compliment one person today using the phrase 'Masz dobre serce' when they do something kind for you.
In Other Languages
Tener un buen corazón
Spanish often uses 'corazón de oro' (heart of gold) more frequently than Polish uses 'serce ze złota'.
Avoir le cœur sur la main
The French idiom emphasizes the act of giving (hand), while the Polish one emphasizes the internal state (heart).
Ein gutes Herz haben
German also frequently uses 'herzensgut' as a single adjective.
心が広い (Kokoro ga hiroi)
The Japanese concept often blends 'heart' and 'mind' into one word (kokoro).
قلب طيب (Qalb tayyib)
The word 'tayyib' also means 'delicious' or 'pure' in other contexts.
心肠好 (Xīncháng hǎo)
The inclusion of 'intestines' (cháng) reflects a different anatomical metaphor for the 'inner self'.
마음이 착하다 (Maeumi chakhada)
Korean uses an adjective ('chakhada') rather than the verb 'to have'.
Ter um bom coração
No major difference in conceptualization.
Easily Confused
Learners might use 'dobre' when they mean 'healthy' in a medical sense.
Use 'zdrowe' for doctors and 'dobre' for personality.
Being 'nice' is not the same as having a 'good heart'.
'Miły' is about manners; 'dobre serce' is about character.
FAQ (4)
Yes, 'serce' is neuter, so the phrase 'dobre serce' never changes based on the person's gender. 'On ma dobre serce' and 'Ona ma dobre serce' are both correct.
Only if you are thanking someone for a personal favor or a charitable act. In a standard business transaction, it might be too emotional.
The most common opposite is 'złe serce' (bad heart) or 'serce z kamienia' (heart of stone).
Yes, 'dobre serce' and 'serce ze złota' are virtually synonymous, though 'dobre serce' is much more common in daily speech.
