Signification
Expressing doubt about facts.
Contexte culturel
Poles often use 'nie jestem pewny' as a way to be polite and avoid a direct 'no'. It's a social lubricant that prevents conflict. In Polish intellectual circles, expressing doubt is a sign of high status and critical thinking, influenced by the Lwów-Warsaw school of logic. In Polish business, 'nie jestem pewny' can be a tactic to gain more time for negotiation without showing your hand. Younger generations often shorten this to 'no nie wiem' or use English-influenced 'nie jestem sure' in very casual 'Ponglish' speech.
Use 'Pewien' for style
If you are a man, using 'Nie jestem pewien' makes you sound more like a native speaker than 'Nie jestem pewny'.
Gender matters!
Always remember to change the ending to '-a' if you are female. It's a very common beginner mistake.
Signification
Expressing doubt about facts.
Use 'Pewien' for style
If you are a man, using 'Nie jestem pewien' makes you sound more like a native speaker than 'Nie jestem pewny'.
Gender matters!
Always remember to change the ending to '-a' if you are female. It's a very common beginner mistake.
The 'Czy' Rule
Always follow 'nie jestem pewny' with 'czy' if you are adding a clause. It sounds much more natural than 'że'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'pewny' or 'pewna'.
Ania mówi: 'Nie jestem _______, czy to dobry film'.
Ania is a woman, so the feminine ending '-a' is required.
Which sentence is the most natural for a man to say in a neutral context?
Select the best option:
'Pewien' is the very common masculine short form.
Match the Polish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are direct translations of common variations.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Czy to jest ulica Mickiewicza? B: Nie jestem _______, muszę sprawdzić na mapie.
'Nie jestem pewny' fits the context of doubt perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Pewny vs. Pewien
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAnia mówi: 'Nie jestem _______, czy to dobry film'.
Ania is a woman, so the feminine ending '-a' is required.
Select the best option:
'Pewien' is the very common masculine short form.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are direct translations of common variations.
A: Czy to jest ulica Mickiewicza? B: Nie jestem _______, muszę sprawdzić na mapie.
'Nie jestem pewny' fits the context of doubt perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, slightly. It's preferred in literature and formal speech, but both are acceptable in daily life.
No, you should say 'Nie jestem pewny pogody' (Genitive) or 'Nie jestem pewny co do pogody'.
For a mixed group or men, use 'Nie jesteśmy pewni'. For women only, use 'Nie jesteśmy pewne'.
Jestem pewny na sto procent.
Yes, but add 'siebie': 'Nie jestem pewny siebie'.
Yes, but 'Nie mam pewności' or 'Nie jestem w pełni przekonany' might sound even more professional.
It can also mean 'certain' (e.g., 'pewna osoba' - a certain person).
'Niepewny' is an adjective (an unsure person), while 'nie być pewnym' is the action/state of having a doubt.
It's a voiced 'v' sound, like in 'victory'.
'Chyba' means 'probably/maybe'. You can use them together: 'Nie jestem pewny, chyba tak'.
Expressions liées
na pewno
contrastfor sure / certainly
upewnić się
builds onto make sure / to confirm
pewność siebie
specialized formself-confidence
wątpliwość
similara doubt
