Signification
A polite way to say someone is aging.
Contexte culturel
In Poland, asking a woman her age is a major faux pas. Using 'mieć swoje lata' is a safe way to acknowledge she is an elder without mentioning numbers. In some regional dialects, people might use 'mieć swoje lata' even more frequently to show respect to the 'patriarch' or 'matriarch' of the family. When discussing old infrastructure or machinery in a factory, engineers use this phrase to signal that a replacement is needed soon without blaming the maintenance team. Classic Polish authors like Bolesław Prus used this phrase to describe the 'old guard' of the 19th-century nobility, emphasizing their dignity despite their declining influence.
The 'Już' Trick
Add 'już' (already) to sound more native: 'On ma już swoje lata.' It adds a touch of empathy.
Don't over-possess
Never say 'moje lata' or 'twoje lata' unless you are specifically talking about your own age in a very specific way. Stick to 'swoje'.
Signification
A polite way to say someone is aging.
The 'Już' Trick
Add 'już' (already) to sound more native: 'On ma już swoje lata.' It adds a touch of empathy.
Don't over-possess
Never say 'moje lata' or 'twoje lata' unless you are specifically talking about your own age in a very specific way. Stick to 'swoje'.
Complimenting Elders
If someone says 'Mam swoje lata,' a polite Polish response is 'Nie widać!' (It doesn't show!).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'mieć' and the rest of the idiom.
Mój dziadek (70 lat) ________ ________ ________.
We use 'ma' for the 3rd person singular and the fixed phrase 'swoje lata'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to describe an elderly neighbor?
Jak najlepiej opisać starszego sąsiada?
'Ma swoje lata' is the most natural and polite euphemism.
Match the sentence to the most likely context.
Sentence: 'Ten komputer ma już swoje lata.'
The phrase is used to explain wear and tear or outdated technology.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Czy chcesz pobiegać ze mną w maratonie? B: Ja? Przecież wiesz, że...
The speaker uses the idiom to politely decline a physically demanding task.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Politeness Scale for Age
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMój dziadek (70 lat) ________ ________ ________.
We use 'ma' for the 3rd person singular and the fixed phrase 'swoje lata'.
Jak najlepiej opisać starszego sąsiada?
'Ma swoje lata' is the most natural and polite euphemism.
Sentence: 'Ten komputer ma już swoje lata.'
The phrase is used to explain wear and tear or outdated technology.
A: Czy chcesz pobiegać ze mną w maratonie? B: Ja? Przecież wiesz, że...
The speaker uses the idiom to politely decline a physically demanding task.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually no, unless you are joking. It's typically for people 60+ or objects that are at least a decade old.
Yes, much better. 'Stary' can be offensive; 'mieć swoje lata' is respectful.
The verb 'mieć' changes (on ma / ona ma), but 'swoje lata' stays exactly the same for everyone.
Yes! 'Ta firma ma swoje lata' means it is an established, old company.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friend.
It literally means 'to have one's years.'
No, that's a different idiom meaning 'to have one's (bad) days' or 'to be moody.'
'On ma swoje lata' is the perfect translation.
Yes, very often in descriptions of characters or settings.
Yes, it's very common for older dogs or cats.
Expressions liées
posunąć się w latach
similarTo get older/age visibly
wiek podeszły
specialized formAdvanced age
stary jak świat
similarAs old as the world
młody duchem
contrastYoung at heart
jesień życia
similarThe autumn of life
