Signification
To remain silent.
Contexte culturel
The 'Spiral of Silence' in Polish history: During the PRL (People's Republic of Poland) era, 'siedzieć cicho' was a common survival strategy to avoid political trouble. In modern Polish offices, 'siedzieć cicho' can sometimes be viewed negatively as a lack of 'proactivity,' reflecting a shift toward Western corporate values. Traditional Polish education often rewarded students who 'siedzą cicho,' though this is changing with more interactive teaching methods. In small villages, 'siedzieć cicho' can be about avoiding gossip or 'neighborly' conflicts.
Use it for 'Lurking'
If you are in a WhatsApp group but don't want to reply, you can tell a friend: 'Siedzę cicho na tej grupie.'
Tone Matters
Saying 'Siedź cicho' with a smile is a joke; saying it with a frown is a fight. Be careful!
Signification
To remain silent.
Use it for 'Lurking'
If you are in a WhatsApp group but don't want to reply, you can tell a friend: 'Siedzę cicho na tej grupie.'
Tone Matters
Saying 'Siedź cicho' with a smile is a joke; saying it with a frown is a fight. Be careful!
The 'Quiet' Student
In Poland, a student who 'siedzi cicho' is often considered 'grzeczny' (well-behaved), even if they aren't learning much.
Secret Weapon
Use 'siedzieć cicho' when you want to sound more like a native than using the formal 'milczeć'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'siedzieć cicho'.
Podczas lekcji uczniowie muszą ________.
After 'muszą' (must), we need the infinitive form.
Which sentence means 'I kept the secret'?
Wybierz poprawne zdanie:
We use the adverb 'cicho' and the preposition 'o' with the locative case.
Match the situation to the most likely use of the phrase.
Situation: You are hiding from your younger brother during hide-and-seek.
In hide-and-seek, you literally sit quietly in a hiding spot like a closet (szafa).
Complete the dialogue.
A: Czy powiedziałeś mamie o rozbitym wazonie? B: Nie, ________.
B is keeping the broken vase a secret, so they are 'siedzieć cicho'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Silence Levels
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesPodczas lekcji uczniowie muszą ________.
After 'muszą' (must), we need the infinitive form.
Wybierz poprawne zdanie:
We use the adverb 'cicho' and the preposition 'o' with the locative case.
Situation: You are hiding from your younger brother during hide-and-seek.
In hide-and-seek, you literally sit quietly in a hiding spot like a closet (szafa).
A: Czy powiedziałeś mamie o rozbitym wazonie? B: Nie, ________.
B is keeping the broken vase a secret, so they are 'siedzieć cicho'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! Even though it uses the verb 'to sit,' it refers to your state of silence, not your physical posture.
It depends. As a description ('On siedzi cicho'), it's neutral. As a command ('Siedź cicho!'), it can be very rude.
'Milczeć' is more formal and simply means not speaking. 'Siedzieć cicho' is more idiomatic and often implies a reason for the silence (like hiding or avoiding trouble).
You say: 'Siedziałem cicho o tym problemie.'
No, it's too informal. Use 'zachować dyskrecję' or 'nie wypowiadać się' instead.
Yes, 'posiedzieć cicho' means to stay quiet for a specific, usually short, amount of time.
No, it can also mean just being physically quiet or not getting involved in an argument.
It's an extension of the idiom meaning to be extremely quiet, usually because you are afraid or hiding.
Very! You'll hear it in almost every crime thriller or drama when characters are hiding from the police.
Yes, parents often tell their children 'Siedź cicho' when they are being too loud in public.
Expressions liées
trzymać język za zębami
synonymTo keep a secret
nie wychylać się
similarTo not stick one's neck out
milczeć jak grób
specialized formTo be silent as a grave
siedzieć jak mysz pod miotłą
similarTo be very quiet out of fear
robić hałas
contrastTo make noise / cause a stir
