Signification
To feel unbalanced.
Contexte culturel
In Polish literature, 'zawrót głowy' is often used to describe the 'dazzle' of the aristocracy or the fast-paced life of Warsaw in the late 19th century. The phrase 'zawrót głowy od sukcesu' has a historical echo of Stalinist propaganda, used to warn against over-enthusiasm in socialist building, though today it is used purely apolitically. Poles often use this phrase to complain about the 'over-choice' in modern supermarkets compared to the empty shelves of the 1980s. Highlanders (Górale) in the Tatras have many stories about 'zawrót głowy' caused by mountain spirits or the 'halny' wind.
The 'Od' Connection
Always remember that 'dostać zawrotu głowy' almost always pairs with 'od' (from) to explain the cause.
Genitive Alert
Don't say 'zawrót'! It's 'zawrotu'. This is the #1 marker of a high-level speaker.
Signification
To feel unbalanced.
The 'Od' Connection
Always remember that 'dostać zawrotu głowy' almost always pairs with 'od' (from) to explain the cause.
Genitive Alert
Don't say 'zawrót'! It's 'zawrotu'. This is the #1 marker of a high-level speaker.
Use it for Success
To sound more native, use it when talking about someone getting too proud of their achievements—it's a very common Polish critique.
Shopping Context
Poles love using this when complaining about the complexity of bureaucracy or taxes.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'zawrót głowy'.
Kiedy weszłam do ogromnej biblioteki, dostałam ________.
After 'dostać' in this idiom, we use the Genitive case: 'zawrotu'.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'dostać zawrotu głowy od sukcesu'?
A person who...
The figurative sense 'od sukcesu' refers to being overwhelmed by one's own achievements.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Patrz, ile tu jest smaków lodów! B: No tak, można od tego ________.
This is the most natural way to express being overwhelmed by choice.
Match the phrase variation to the context.
1. Mieć zawroty głowy (A) 2. Dostać zawrotu głowy (B)
'Mieć' + plural is for states; 'Dostać' + singular is for events.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Dostać vs. Mieć
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKiedy weszłam do ogromnej biblioteki, dostałam ________.
After 'dostać' in this idiom, we use the Genitive case: 'zawrotu'.
A person who...
The figurative sense 'od sukcesu' refers to being overwhelmed by one's own achievements.
A: Patrz, ile tu jest smaków lodów! B: No tak, można od tego ________.
This is the most natural way to express being overwhelmed by choice.
1. Mieć zawroty głowy (A) 2. Dostać zawrotu głowy (B)
'Mieć' + plural is for states; 'Dostać' + singular is for events.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Yes, if the feeling is happening repeatedly or over a period of time.
'Kręci mi się w głowie' is more informal and usually physical. 'Dostać zawrotu głowy' is more idiomatic and figurative.
Use 'zawrotu' (singular) for a single event and 'zawrotów' (plural) for recurring medical issues.
Only if she is literally spinning you around or if her beauty/actions are overwhelming you. Usually, we say 'zawróciła mi w głowie' for love.
Doctors use 'zawroty głowy' as a noun, but 'dostać zawrotu' is more for the patient's description.
Not necessarily. You can get dizzy from a 'zawrotna' (dizzying) amount of money or happiness.
Yes, if the plot is so complex it makes you feel overwhelmed.
Because it's 'dizziness OF the head' (Genitive), not 'dizziness WITH the head'.
Yes, 'mieć kołowrotek w głowie' (to have a spinning wheel in the head).
Yes, e.g., 'Można dostać zawrotu głowy od możliwości rozwoju w państwa firmie' (a bit cheesy, but correct).
Very common, especially in pop songs about love or the city.
Expressions liées
kręcić się w głowie
similarto have one's head spinning
mieć mętlik w głowie
similarto have a jumble in the head
zawrotna prędkość
builds onbreakneck speed
stracić głowę
similarto lose one's head
mieć pstro w głowie
contrastto be scatterbrained/frivolous
