Signification
Asking someone to stop bothering you.
Contexte culturel
In Polish culture, directness among friends is a sign of intimacy. Telling a friend 'Nie przeszkadzaj mi' is often seen as more honest and less 'fake' than using overly polite language. Modern Polish offices often use English terms like 'deep work' or 'focus time', but the phrase 'nie przeszkadzać' remains the standard for Slack statuses or calendar invites. Paradoxically, while Poles value peace, they are also incredibly hospitable. A host might say 'Nie przeszkadzaj sobie' to a guest, meaning 'Don't mind me, keep doing what you're doing' (literally: don't disturb yourself). On Polish trains (PKP), there are 'Strefy Ciszy' (Silence Zones). If you talk loudly there, someone might tell you 'Proszę nie przeszkadzać innym pasażerom' (Please don't disturb other passengers).
The 'Proszę' Rule
Adding 'proszę' at the end softens the command significantly without losing the directness.
Watch the Tone
Because it's an imperative, your tone of voice matters more than the words. A flat tone is a request; a rising, sharp tone is an angry command.
Signification
Asking someone to stop bothering you.
The 'Proszę' Rule
Adding 'proszę' at the end softens the command significantly without losing the directness.
Watch the Tone
Because it's an imperative, your tone of voice matters more than the words. A flat tone is a request; a rising, sharp tone is an angry command.
Hotel Hack
If you see a sign 'Nie przeszkadzać' on a door, it's the universal sign for 'Do Not Disturb'. You'll see this in every Polish hotel.
The 'Pan' Alternative
If you must tell a stranger to stop bothering you, use 'Proszę mi nie przeszkadzać' to stay within the bounds of Polish etiquette.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct dative pronoun.
Nie przeszkadzaj ___ (me), muszę pracować.
The short form 'mi' is used here because it is not at the beginning of the sentence and is not emphasized.
Which phrase is most appropriate for a boss?
You are busy and your boss enters. What do you say?
The other options are informal or rude and should not be used with a superior.
Match the Polish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the standard idiomatic translations.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Czy możesz mi pomóc? B: Nie teraz. ________ mi, piszę wypracowanie.
The singular imperative 'Nie przeszkadzaj' is needed for a 1-on-1 conversation.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Where would you see 'PROSZĘ NIE PRZESZKADZAĆ'?
This is the standard 'Do Not Disturb' sign in Polish hotels.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Formal vs Informal
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesNie przeszkadzaj ___ (me), muszę pracować.
The short form 'mi' is used here because it is not at the beginning of the sentence and is not emphasized.
You are busy and your boss enters. What do you say?
The other options are informal or rude and should not be used with a superior.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard idiomatic translations.
A: Czy możesz mi pomóc? B: Nie teraz. ________ mi, piszę wypracowanie.
The singular imperative 'Nie przeszkadzaj' is needed for a 1-on-1 conversation.
Where would you see 'PROSZĘ NIE PRZESZKADZAĆ'?
This is the standard 'Do Not Disturb' sign in Polish hotels.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt depends on who you say it to. To a friend or sibling, it's normal. To a boss or a stranger, it's quite rude.
'Mi' is the short form used in the middle of sentences. 'Mnie' is the long form used for emphasis or at the start of a sentence.
Yes! You can say 'Twoja muzyka mi przeszkadza' (Your music is disturbing me).
You say 'Przestań mi przeszkadzać'.
The formal version is 'Proszę mi nie przeszkadzać'.
Mostly, but you can say 'Ten hałas mi przeszkadza' (This noise is disturbing me).
Yes, 'Odczep się' (Get off me/Buzz off) is a common slang alternative.
You say 'Nie chcę ci przeszkadzać'.
Only if it's a very informal email to a close friend. Otherwise, use 'Przepraszam za kłopot'.
It always takes the Dative case (Celownik).
It is 'przeszkadzać w' + Locative (e.g., w pracy, w nauce).
Yes, if it's obvious who is being disturbed, you can just say 'Nie przeszkadzaj!'.
Expressions liées
Daj mi spokój
similarLeave me alone
Nie zawracaj mi głowy
idiomDon't bother me with trifles
Przestań
builds onStop it
Zostaw mnie
similarLeave me / Let go of me
Cisza!
contrastSilence!
