Signification
Informal way to say no.
Contexte culturel
You will hear this constantly during football or volleyball matches. It's the go-to phrase for fans to express their unwavering (or sometimes cynical) belief in the score. While the phrase has rural origins (the whip), it is now a staple of urban youth slang. It bridges the gap between traditional Polish imagery and modern fast-paced life. In Polish 'startup' culture, 'nie ma bata' is often used to describe 'impossible' deadlines or features that simply cannot be implemented. The phrase is immortalized in Polish pop culture, appearing in cult comedies from the 90s like 'Kiler', which helped solidify its place in the national vocabulary.
Use for emphasis
Add 'nie ma bata' at the end of a sentence to sound very confident in your Polish.
Watch the register
Don't use this with your boss unless you have a very close, casual relationship.
Signification
Informal way to say no.
Use for emphasis
Add 'nie ma bata' at the end of a sentence to sound very confident in your Polish.
Watch the register
Don't use this with your boss unless you have a very close, casual relationship.
The 'Na' variation
Use 'nie ma na niego bata' to mean 'nobody can stop him' or 'he's unbeatable.'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the phrase.
Nie ma ______, nie pójdę tam sam!
The phrase is fixed as 'nie ma bata' (genitive case).
Which sentence uses 'nie ma bata' to mean 'It's a sure thing'?
Select the correct sentence:
In this context, it emphasizes the certainty of the win.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Czy myślisz, że szef pozwoli nam wyjść wcześniej? B: ________, mamy za dużo pracy.
B is saying it's impossible because of the workload.
Match the situation to the meaning of 'nie ma bata'.
Situation: You are 100% sure your friend will forget his keys again.
You are certain about a future event.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNie ma ______, nie pójdę tam sam!
The phrase is fixed as 'nie ma bata' (genitive case).
Select the correct sentence:
In this context, it emphasizes the certainty of the win.
A: Czy myślisz, że szef pozwoli nam wyjść wcześniej? B: ________, mamy za dużo pracy.
B is saying it's impossible because of the workload.
Situation: You are 100% sure your friend will forget his keys again.
You are certain about a future event.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt's not exactly rude, but it is very informal. It's like saying 'No way' in English—fine with friends, but maybe too blunt for a waiter or a stranger.
Indirectly, yes! If you say 'Nie ma bata, będę tam!', you are saying 'There's no way I won't be there,' which means 'I will definitely be there.'
It means 'whip.'
Yes, it is a universal Polish slang phrase used from the Baltic Sea to the Tatra Mountains.
No, the phrase is fixed in the singular: 'nie ma bata.'
Expressions liées
nie ma opcji
synonymno option / no way
nie ma mocnych
similarthere are no strong ones [who can stop this]
nie ma siły
similarthere is no force
amen w pacierzu
similarlike 'amen' in a prayer
klamka zapadła
similarthe latch has fallen
