Signification
Remaining silent.
Contexte culturel
Silence is often used as a sign of respect during funerals or at historical monuments like Auschwitz-Birkenau. Being 'nie mówiąc nic' in these places is the expected social norm. In a business meeting, if a Polish partner is 'nie mówiąc nic' after a proposal, it usually means they are seriously considering it, not necessarily that they disagree. The 'silent treatment' (ciche dni) is a well-known cultural phenomenon where partners communicate their anger by not speaking for days. Romantic era poets like Adam Mickiewicz often used silence to depict the 'suffering hero' who bears the weight of the nation 'nie mówiąc nic'.
Word Order
You can say 'nic nie mówiąc' to sound more poetic or to emphasize the 'nothingness'.
Double Negatives
Always remember the 'nie' before 'mówiąc'. 'Mówiąc nic' is grammatically incorrect in Polish.
Signification
Remaining silent.
Word Order
You can say 'nic nie mówiąc' to sound more poetic or to emphasize the 'nothingness'.
Double Negatives
Always remember the 'nie' before 'mówiąc'. 'Mówiąc nic' is grammatically incorrect in Polish.
The Power of Silence
In Poland, silence isn't always awkward; sometimes it's a sign of deep comfort between friends.
Writing
Use this phrase in your Polish essays to describe characters' reactions—it makes your writing sound much more natural.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'nie mówiąc nic'.
On wyszedł z pokoju, ___.
We need the participle form '-ąc' to describe an action happening simultaneously.
Which sentence is the most natural in Polish?
How do you say 'She sat there, saying nothing'?
The first option uses the correct participle and the standard double negative.
Match the Polish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all related but have different grammatical functions.
Fill in the dialogue.
A: Dlaczego on jest taki smutny? B: Nie wiem. Przyszedł, usiadł i siedzi tak od godziny, ___.
The context requires a description of his silent behavior.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesOn wyszedł z pokoju, ___.
We need the participle form '-ąc' to describe an action happening simultaneously.
How do you say 'She sat there, saying nothing'?
The first option uses the correct participle and the standard double negative.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are all related but have different grammatical functions.
A: Dlaczego on jest taki smutny? B: Nie wiem. Przyszedł, usiadł i siedzi tak od godziny, ___.
The context requires a description of his silent behavior.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, it is very common in Polish literature and journalism.
'Milcząc' is more formal and implies a longer state of silence, while 'nie mówiąc nic' is more about the specific moment.
In this fixed expression, 'nic' is the traditional form, though 'niczego' is grammatically logical as a genitive of negation.
It's understandable but sounds like a translation from English. Stick to 'nie mówiąc nic'.
It can describe the act of ghosting (leaving without a word), but it's a much broader term.
It sounds like 'onts' with a slightly nasal 'o'.
Yes, to describe your own actions or a situation, e.g., 'Słuchałem klienta, nie mówiąc nic'.
Yes, the form 'mówiąc' never changes. 'Oni wyszli, nie mówiąc nic'.
Use 'nie mówiąc ani słowa' for that specific emphasis.
Yes, 'nie' is always separate from present adverbial participles in Polish.
Yes. 'Nie mówiąc nic, podszedł do okna'.
Expressions liées
bez słowa
synonymWithout a word
milcząc
synonymRemaining silent
ani mru-mru
slangNot a peep
trzymać język za zębami
idiomTo keep one's tongue behind one's teeth
nabrać wody w usta
idiomTo take water into one's mouth
