Signification
Something that prevents someone from acting freely.
Contexte culturel
In Polish literature of the Positivism era (late 19th century), this idiom was often used to describe the social and economic constraints of the impoverished nobility. In modern Polish startups, 'kula u nogi' is frequently used to describe 'technical debt' (dług technologiczny). The image of the 'kula' is strongly associated with the Siberian exiles (sybiracy) who were often shown in paintings with chains. On Polish Twitter/X, you'll see this idiom used to criticize slow government reforms or inefficient public institutions.
Use with 'być'
The most natural way to use this is with the verb 'być' (to be). Remember to use the instrumental case: 'być kulą u nogi'.
Don't be too literal
If you say this to a Polish person while pointing at your actual leg, they will think you have a medical problem or a very strange fashion sense.
Signification
Something that prevents someone from acting freely.
Use with 'być'
The most natural way to use this is with the verb 'być' (to be). Remember to use the instrumental case: 'być kulą u nogi'.
Don't be too literal
If you say this to a Polish person while pointing at your actual leg, they will think you have a medical problem or a very strange fashion sense.
Business Context
In a business meeting, use it to describe 'technical debt' or 'legacy processes' to sound like a native professional.
Teste-toi
Wypełnij lukę odpowiednią formą idiomu 'kula u nogi'.
Ten stary samochód ciągle się psuje; jest dla mnie prawdziwą _______.
After 'jest' (instrumental case), 'kula' becomes 'kulą'.
Wybierz sytuację, w której użycie idiomu 'kula u nogi' jest najbardziej naturalne.
Kiedy powiesz, że coś jest 'kulą u nogi'?
The idiom refers to figurative burdens, not physical weight or pain.
Uzupełnij dialog.
A: Czy ten stażysta ci pomaga? B: Wręcz przeciwnie, nic nie umie i muszę wszystko po nim poprawiać. Jest dla mnie tylko _______.
'Kula u nogi' fits best here because the intern is a burden that slows down work. 'Piąte koło u wozu' means redundant, and 'kamień z serca' means relief.
Połącz polskie idiomy z ich znaczeniami.
Dopasuj:
Kula u nogi means a hindrance/obstacle.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesTen stary samochód ciągle się psuje; jest dla mnie prawdziwą _______.
After 'jest' (instrumental case), 'kula' becomes 'kulą'.
Kiedy powiesz, że coś jest 'kulą u nogi'?
The idiom refers to figurative burdens, not physical weight or pain.
A: Czy ten stażysta ci pomaga? B: Wręcz przeciwnie, nic nie umie i muszę wszystko po nim poprawiać. Jest dla mnie tylko _______.
'Kula u nogi' fits best here because the intern is a burden that slows down work. 'Piąte koło u wozu' means redundant, and 'kamień z serca' means relief.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Kula u nogi means a hindrance/obstacle.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIt can be very offensive if used to describe a person (e.g., 'My wife is a ball and chain'). It is better to use it for situations or objects.
No, it is almost exclusively negative. It always implies a burden or a hindrance.
Technically 'kule u nóg', but it is rarely used. We usually stick to the singular 'kula u nogi' even for multiple burdens.
Yes, it is a standard idiom and is perfectly acceptable in journalistic or academic writing to describe obstacles.
Expressions liées
kamień u szyi
similarA stone around the neck; a fatal burden.
piąte koło u wozu
similarA fifth wheel; someone redundant.
kamień z serca
contrastA stone off one's heart; a great relief.
mieć wolną rękę
contrastTo have a free hand; to have freedom of action.
balast
synonymBallast; unnecessary weight.
