뜻
Don't speak about trouble to avoid it.
문화적 배경
Poles are often perceived as 'complainers,' but this is actually a cultural defense mechanism. By focusing on the negative or staying humble, you avoid 'calling the wolf.' Success is often downplayed to avoid envy or bad luck. The wolf is a central figure in Slavic mythology, often representing the 'Weles' (god of the underworld). Calling the wolf was seen as opening a portal to the spirit world. In modern cities, this phrase is frequently used ironically by young people when talking about Wi-Fi signals, battery life, or Uber wait times. This phrase is often accompanied by the physical action of 'pukanie w niemalowane drewno' (knocking on unpainted wood) to double-protect against bad luck.
Use it to be polite
If you need to bring up a problem but don't want to sound like a 'complainer,' start with: 'Nie chcę wywoływać wilka z lasu, ale...'
Grammar Trap
Remember the 'a' at the end of 'wilka'. Saying 'Nie wywołuj wilk' is a very obvious beginner mistake.
뜻
Don't speak about trouble to avoid it.
Use it to be polite
If you need to bring up a problem but don't want to sound like a 'complainer,' start with: 'Nie chcę wywoływać wilka z lasu, ale...'
Grammar Trap
Remember the 'a' at the end of 'wilka'. Saying 'Nie wywołuj wilk' is a very obvious beginner mistake.
The 'I told you so' version
If the bad thing happens, you can say 'No i wywołałeś wilka z lasu' (Well, you called the wolf out of the forest).
셀프 테스트
Complete the proverb with the correct form of the words.
Nie wywołuj ______ (wilk) z ______ (las).
Both words must be in the Genitive case.
In which situation would you say 'Nie wywołuj wilka z lasu'?
Your friend says: 'I hope the car doesn't break down on our way to the airport.'
The phrase is a warning against mentioning potential problems.
Choose the best response for Marek.
Kasia: 'A co jeśli szef nas dzisiaj zwolni?' Marek: '_________________'
Marek wants Kasia to stop talking about a negative possibility.
🎉 점수: /3
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
3 연습 문제Nie wywołuj ______ (wilk) z ______ (las).
Both words must be in the Genitive case.
Your friend says: 'I hope the car doesn't break down on our way to the airport.'
The phrase is a warning against mentioning potential problems.
Kasia: 'A co jeśli szef nas dzisiaj zwolni?' Marek: '_________________'
Marek wants Kasia to stop talking about a negative possibility.
🎉 점수: /3
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, absolutely. While 'nie zapeszaj' is more common in texting, 'nie wywołuj wilka z lasu' is used by all ages in spoken Polish.
Yes, it's neutral enough for business. It's a great way to acknowledge a risk without sounding overly negative.
Poland was historically a land of forests. Wolves were a more immediate, physical threat to the average person than the theological concept of the devil.
Only if it's still negated. 'Nie wywołałem wilka' (Genitive). But 'Wywołałem wilka' (Accusative - which looks the same for masculine animate nouns).
Not really. You don't 'call a puppy out of the forest' for good luck. The phrase is inherently about avoiding threats.
'Nie kracz' is slightly more informal and specifically refers to someone making a prediction of doom. 'Nie wywołuj...' is broader.
No, the idiom is fixed in the singular. One wolf is enough trouble!
No, it's usually seen as a friendly or helpful warning to stay positive.
No, it is purely superstitious and folkloric, not religious.
Yes, if that person is 'trouble.' For example, if you don't want to mention a difficult ex-boyfriend.
관련 표현
O wilku mowa
similarSpeak of the devil.
Nie zapeszaj
synonymDon't jinx it.
Wywołać wilka z lasu
builds onTo have accidentally caused the trouble you spoke of.
Nie kracz
similarDon't caw (like a crow).
