Signification
Calming someone down.
Contexte culturel
Poles value hospitality (gościnność) deeply. Telling a guest 'nie ma co się śpieszyć' is a way of saying their company is more important than your schedule. The 'kwadrans akademicki' (academic quarter) is a cultural rule where students and professors can be 15 minutes late without consequence. While punctuality is important in Polish business, there is a growing 'slow work' movement in creative industries where this phrase is used to protect quality. Due to frequent delays in the PKP (Polish State Railways), this phrase is often used with a hint of irony or resignation.
The 'Spokojnie' Combo
Always pair this with 'Spokojnie' (Calmly) to sound 100% like a native. 'Spokojnie, nie ma co się śpieszyć' is the gold standard of reassurance.
Don't forget the 'się'
Without 'się', the verb 'śpieszyć' is incomplete in this context. It's the most common error for English speakers.
Signification
Calming someone down.
The 'Spokojnie' Combo
Always pair this with 'Spokojnie' (Calmly) to sound 100% like a native. 'Spokojnie, nie ma co się śpieszyć' is the gold standard of reassurance.
Don't forget the 'się'
Without 'się', the verb 'śpieszyć' is incomplete in this context. It's the most common error for English speakers.
Irony Alert
Poles often use this phrase ironically when something is already very late. If a train is 2 hours late, saying 'nie ma co się śpieszyć' is a common form of dark humor.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase.
Nie ma ___ się śpieszyć.
The standard construction is 'nie ma co'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a friend to relax because there is time?
Twoja przyjaciółka bardzo się śpieszy. Co powiesz?
This is the most natural and friendly way to reassure someone.
Match the Polish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the pairs:
All pairs are correctly matched in the options provided.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Przepraszam za spóźnienie! B: ________, dopiero zaczynamy.
This phrase fits perfectly as a way to dismiss an apology for being late.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNie ma ___ się śpieszyć.
The standard construction is 'nie ma co'.
Twoja przyjaciółka bardzo się śpieszy. Co powiesz?
This is the most natural and friendly way to reassure someone.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All pairs are correctly matched in the options provided.
A: Przepraszam za spóźnienie! B: ________, dopiero zaczynamy.
This phrase fits perfectly as a way to dismiss an apology for being late.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsYes, both 'śpieszyć' and 'spieszyć' are correct. 'Spieszyć' is more traditional, but 'śpieszyć' is more common in speech.
Yes, if the atmosphere is neutral or friendly. It shows you are focused on quality. In a very strict environment, use 'nie ma potrzeby pośpiechu'.
On its own at the end of a sentence, it means 'no doubt' or 'for sure'. Example: 'Zimno dzisiaj, nie ma co!' (It's cold today, for sure!).
No, it's actually very kind. It tells them that you aren't angry about their lateness.
You say 'Śpieszę się'.
Expressions liées
nie ma pośpiechu
synonymThere is no hurry.
spiesz się powoli
similarMake haste slowly.
nie ma co płakać nad rozlanym mlekiem
builds onNo use crying over spilled milk.
bez spiny
informalNo stress / No tension.
