chwila
When you're learning Polish, you'll find "chwila" to be a very useful word. It means 'moment' or 'a little while'. You can use it in many everyday situations.
For example, if you need someone to wait, you can say "Moment!" or "Chwila!" It's like saying "Just a moment!" in English.
You'll also hear it in phrases like "za chwilę," meaning "in a moment" or "soon," and "przed chwilą," which means "a moment ago."
Paying attention to these common phrases will help you sound more natural when speaking Polish.
When you're speaking Polish, you'll hear and use chwila a lot. It simply means 'a moment' or 'a while'. You can use it in many everyday situations, like saying 'Just a moment' or asking someone to wait 'a moment'. It's a really practical word to know.
For example, if you're waiting for someone, you might hear 'Jeszcze chwila' meaning 'Just a moment longer'. Or, if you want someone to wait, you can say 'Chwileczkę!', which is a diminutive and often more polite way of saying 'Just a moment'.
chwila 30초 만에
- "Chwila" means moment or instant.
- It's a very common word in Polish.
- You'll hear it in many different contexts.
Alright, let's talk about some common traps English speakers fall into when using the Polish word 'chwila'. It means 'moment', but it's not always a direct swap. Pay attention to these points, and you'll sound much more natural.
§ Mistake 1: Using 'chwila' for 'a little while' or 'a bit' (in duration)
In English, we often say 'wait a moment' or 'just a moment' meaning a short, unspecified period. While 'chwila' can sometimes work here, Poles more often use other phrases when talking about a duration, even a short one.
- DEFINITION
- Using 'chwila' when you mean 'a little while' or 'a short time' in terms of duration.
✗ Czekaj chwilę, zaraz wracam. (Literally: Wait a moment, I'll be right back.)
✓ Poczekaj chwilkę, zaraz wracam. (Wait a little moment, I'll be right back. - Diminutive softens it.)
✓ Poczekaj krótką chwilę, zaraz wracam. (Wait a short moment, I'll be right back.)
✓ Poczekaj trochę, zaraz wracam. (Wait a bit/a little, I'll be right back.)
§ Mistake 2: Confusing 'chwila' with 'czas' (time)
'Chwila' is a specific, usually brief, point or period. 'Czas' is more general and refers to time in broader terms. Don't use 'chwila' where 'czas' is appropriate.
- DEFINITION
- Using 'chwila' instead of 'czas' when referring to 'time' in a general sense.
✗ Nie mam chwili na to. (Literally: I don't have a moment for that. - Sounds a bit too strong.)
✓ Nie mam czasu na to. (I don't have time for that.)
§ Mistake 3: Overusing 'w tej chwili'
'W tej chwili' means 'at this moment' or 'right now'. It's perfectly correct, but sometimes English speakers overuse it where a simple 'teraz' (now) would be more common and less formal.
- DEFINITION
- Using 'w tej chwili' when 'teraz' (now) is more natural.
✗ W tej chwili idę do sklepu. (Literally: At this moment I am going to the shop. - A bit overly formal for a simple action.)
✓ Teraz idę do sklepu. (Now I am going to the shop.)
✓ W tej chwili nie mogę rozmawiać. (At this moment I cannot talk. - Here, it emphasizes inability at a specific point, so it works well.)
§ Mistake 4: Not knowing the common phrases with 'chwila'
Polish, like any language, has idiomatic expressions. Knowing these will make your use of 'chwila' much more natural.
Za chwilę: In a moment, shortly.
Za chwilę będę gotowy. (I'll be ready in a moment.)
Od chwili do chwili: From moment to moment, from time to time (less common than 'od czasu do czasu').
Żył od chwili do chwili. (He lived from moment to moment.)
Ani przez chwilę: Not for a moment.
Nie wątpiłem w to ani przez chwilę. (I didn't doubt it for a moment.)
By understanding these common mistakes and practicing the correct usage, you'll gain confidence with 'chwila' and sound much more like a native speaker. Keep it up!
§ Understanding "chwila"
The Polish word "chwila" means "moment." It's a very common word you'll hear and use often. Think of it as a brief period of time. It's versatile and can be used in many contexts to refer to a short duration.
- DEFINITION
- A brief, usually unspecified, period of time.
§ Common uses of "chwila"
You'll often hear "chwila" in expressions like "poczekaj chwilę" (wait a moment) or "za chwilę" (in a moment). It's a go-to word when you need to refer to a short, indefinite period of time. It can also imply a specific point in time, especially when combined with other words.
Poczekaj chwilę, proszę.
Wrócę za chwilę.
§ Similar words and distinctions
While "chwila" is quite straightforward, it's helpful to compare it with other Polish words that also refer to periods of time. Understanding the nuances will make your Polish sound more natural.
- Moment (noun) - "moment"
This is the closest direct translation and often interchangeable with "chwila." However, "moment" can sometimes carry a slightly more formal or significant connotation, referring to a specific, perhaps crucial, point in time. "Chwila" is generally more informal and refers to a more general, short duration.
To był decydujący moment w jego życiu. (That was a decisive moment in his life.)
Daj mi chwilę, żeby to przemyśleć. (Give me a moment to think it over.)
- Sekunda (noun) - "second"
"Sekunda" refers to a precise unit of time, one second. While a second is a moment, "chwila" is not necessarily a second. "Chwila" implies a slightly longer, but still brief, duration that isn't precisely measured.
Wrócił w ciągu sekundy. (He returned within a second.)
Zaczekaj jeszcze chwilę.
- Czas (noun) - "time"
"Czas" is a much broader term meaning "time" in general. "Chwila" is a small part of "czas." You wouldn't use "czas" to mean "a moment" in the same way you use "chwila."
Nie mam czasu teraz. (I don't have time now.)
Mam wolną chwilę wieczorem. (I have a free moment in the evening.)
- Okazja (noun) - "opportunity," "occasion"
While an "okazja" might last only a moment, the word emphasizes the chance or special event, not just the duration. "Chwila" is purely about the short duration.
To była doskonała okazja do rozmowy. (It was a perfect opportunity to talk.)
§ When to use "chwila" – summary
Use "chwila" when you need to refer to a short, unspecified period of time, especially in everyday conversations. It's great for:
- Asking someone to wait briefly ("Poczekaj chwilę.")
- Indicating something will happen soon ("Za chwilę.")
- Talking about having a short break or free time ("Mam wolną chwilę.")
- Describing a fleeting experience ("Piękna chwila.")
Avoid using it when you need a precise unit of time (use "sekunda," "minuta," "godzina") or when referring to a more significant, impactful point in time (where "moment" might be more appropriate, though "chwila" is often still acceptable). "Chwila" is your versatile friend for brief, casual time references.
재미있는 사실
The word 'chwila' is related to other Slavic words for 'moment' or 'while', such as 'chvíle' in Czech and 'khvilya' in Ukrainian.
난이도
short
short
short
short
다음에 무엇을 배울까
선수 학습
다음에 배울 것
고급
알아야 할 문법
Declension: 'Chwila' is a feminine noun. Its declension changes depending on the case. For example, in the genitive singular, it becomes 'chwili'.
Nie mam ani chwili czasu. (I don't have a moment of time.)
Plural form: The plural of 'chwila' is 'chwile' (nominative plural).
Piękne chwile zostają w pamięci. (Beautiful moments stay in memory.)
Common collocations: 'Chwila' often appears with adjectives like 'krótka' (short) or 'długa' (long) or verbs like 'poczekać' (to wait).
Poczekaj chwilę. (Wait a moment.)
Prepositional phrases: You'll often see 'chwila' with prepositions such as 'za' (in, for a moment), 'po' (after a moment), or 'na' (for a moment).
Wrócę za chwilę. (I'll be back in a moment.)
Idiomatic expressions: 'Chwila' is part of some common expressions, like 'ani przez chwilę' (not for a moment) or 'co chwila' (every moment/frequently).
Nie wątpiłem ani przez chwilę. (I didn't doubt for a moment.)
수준별 예문
Poczekaj chwilę, zaraz wracam.
Wait a moment, I'll be right back.
Czy masz wolną chwilę, żeby porozmawiać?
Do you have a free moment to talk?
W każdej chwili możesz do mnie zadzwonić.
You can call me at any moment.
To była tylko chwila zapomnienia.
It was just a moment of forgetfulness.
Proszę, poczekaj jeszcze jedną chwilę.
Please, wait one more moment.
Cieszę się każdą wspólną chwilą.
I enjoy every moment we spend together.
W tej chwili nie mogę ci pomóc.
At this moment, I can't help you.
Od tej chwili wszystko się zmieniło.
From that moment, everything changed.
Warto doceniać każdą chwile spędzoną z bliskimi, ponieważ czas leci nieubłaganie.
It is worth appreciating every moment spent with loved ones, because time flies relentlessly.
Here, 'chwilę' is in the accusative case (singular) because it is the direct object of 'doceniać'.
Czekam z niecierpliwością na tę jedną, wyjątkową chwilę, która zmieni całe moje życie.
I am eagerly awaiting that one, special moment that will change my entire life.
'Chwilę' is in the accusative case (singular) as it is the object of the verb 'czekać na' (to wait for).
Po tak intensywnym dniu, marzę o chwili ciszy i spokoju, by móc zebrać myśli.
After such an intense day, I dream of a moment of silence and peace to be able to gather my thoughts.
'Chwili' is in the genitive case (singular) after the preposition 'o' (about/of) and in the context of 'marzyć o' (to dream of).
Nawet w najtrudniejszych chwilach, nie wolno tracić nadziei i wiary w lepsze jutro.
Even in the most difficult moments, one must not lose hope and faith in a better tomorrow.
'Chwilach' is in the locative case (plural) after the preposition 'w' (in).
Zatrzymaliśmy się tylko na krótką chwilę, aby podziwiać zapierający dech w piersiach widok.
We stopped only for a short moment to admire the breathtaking view.
'Chwilę' is in the accusative case (singular) as it indicates duration after 'na'.
Decyzja została podjęta w jednej chwili, bez zbędnego wahania czy rozmyślania.
The decision was made in an instant, without unnecessary hesitation or deliberation.
'Chwili' is in the genitive case (singular) after the preposition 'w' (in) when expressing a point in time or a very short duration, often used idiomatically as 'w jednej chwili'.
Cieszę się każdą chwilą spędzoną w podróży, bo każda z nich to niezapomniane doświadczenie.
I enjoy every moment spent traveling, because each of them is an unforgettable experience.
'Chwilą' is in the instrumental case (singular) because it's the object of the verb 'cieszyć się' (to enjoy).
Były takie chwile w moim życiu, kiedy myślałem, że już nic dobrego mnie nie spotka.
There were such moments in my life when I thought nothing good would ever happen to me.
'Chwile' is in the nominative case (plural) as the subject of the sentence, used with the existential 'były'.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
Za chwilę wracam.
I'll be back in a moment.
Poczekaj chwilę.
Wait a moment.
Daj mi chwilę.
Give me a moment.
W jednej chwili.
In a flash / In an instant.
Od dłuższego czasu czekałem na tę chwilę.
I've been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Na chwilę obecną.
For the present moment / Currently.
Ani przez chwilę nie wątpiłem.
I didn't doubt for a moment.
Chwila nieuwagi.
A moment of inattention.
Ciesz się każdą chwilą.
Enjoy every moment.
Z tej chwili na tę chwilę.
From one moment to the next.
자주 혼동되는 단어
For a moment / For a little while.
In a moment / Soon.
A moment ago / A short while ago.
혼동하기 쉬운
Many English speakers learning Polish might struggle with 'chwila' because while it directly translates to 'moment', its usage can sometimes feel more flexible than the English equivalent, leading to uncertainty in contexts like 'for a moment' or 'in a moment'.
'Chwila' is a very common word for a short, indefinite period of time. It's often used where English speakers might say 'a bit' or 'a second'.
Poczekaj chwila. (Wait a moment. / Wait a second.)
While 'moment' exists in Polish, 'moment' (pronounced similarly to English) is less common in everyday speech than 'chwila' for simply meaning 'a moment'. Learners might over-rely on it when 'chwila' would be more natural.
'Moment' in Polish often implies a more specific or significant point in time, or when you're referring to a 'specific moment'. It's less common for a casual 'wait a moment'.
To był ważny moment w historii. (That was an important moment in history.)
English speakers might be tempted to use 'sekunda' for 'a second' in the sense of 'wait a second', but 'chwila' is usually more appropriate for a short, indefinite wait. 'Sekunda' is a precise unit of time.
'Sekunda' specifically refers to a precise unit of time (one second), not a general short period. Use it when you mean exactly one second.
Minęła jedna sekunda. (One second passed.)
'Okamgnienie' is 'a blink of an eye' or 'an instant'. While it also denotes a very short period, it's more poetic or emphasizes extreme brevity, which can be confused with the more general 'chwila'.
'Okamgnienie' is an instant, a blink of an eye – even shorter and more fleeting than a 'chwila'. It carries a stronger sense of immediacy and brevity.
W okamgnieniu oka zniknął. (In the blink of an eye, he disappeared.)
'Czas' means 'time' in general, or 'a time' (e.g., 'a good time'). Learners might overgeneralize its use, thinking it can substitute for 'chwila' when referring to a short period, which is incorrect.
'Czas' is the general concept of time. It is not used for specific short periods like 'a moment'. It's broader.
Nie mam czasu. (I don't have time.)
어휘 가족
명사
동사
형용사
팁
Chwila means a moment
The word "chwila" directly translates to a moment. It's used just like you would use "moment" in English.
Use with preposition "za"
To say "in a moment," you'll often use "za chwilę." For example, "Za chwilę wracam" means "I'll be back in a moment."
Use with preposition "na"
If you want to say "for a moment," you use "na chwilę." For instance, "Zatrzymałem się na chwilę" means "I stopped for a moment."
Combine with "jedna"
Just like in English, you can say "jedna chwila" for "one moment." This emphasizes the brevity. "Poczekaj jedną chwilę" means "Wait one moment."
Express a short time
"Chwila" is often used to describe a very short period of time, whether it's seconds or a few minutes.
Common in everyday speech
You'll hear "chwila" very often in casual conversations. It's a fundamental word for talking about time.
Not for extended periods
Do not use "chwila" to refer to a long period. It's strictly for brief durations. For longer times, use words like "czas" (time) or "okres" (period).
Use as an interjection
You can use "chwila!" as an interjection, meaning "Wait a moment!" or "Just a moment!" This is very common.
Politeness in waiting
Saying "chwila" when asking someone to wait is considered polite in Polish culture, similar to saying "please wait" in English.
Derived words: chwilowo
The adverb "chwilowo" means "temporarily" or "for a moment." For example, "Jestem chwilowo niedostępny" (I am temporarily unavailable).
어원
Proto-Slavic
원래 의미: a short time, a while
Indo-European문화적 맥락
When a Pole says 'za chwilę', it usually means 'in a moment' but can often imply 'in a little while' or 'later', similar to the Spanish 'mañana'. It's a common phrase, so understanding its flexible timing is useful.
셀프 테스트 54 질문
Which English word best translates 'chwila'?
'Chwila' directly translates to 'moment' in English.
Choose the correct Polish word to complete the sentence: 'Poczekaj jedną ___.'
The sentence means 'Wait one moment.' 'Chwilę' is the correct form of 'chwila' here.
Which sentence correctly uses 'chwila'?
'To jest dobra chwila' means 'This is a good moment.' The other options are grammatically incorrect or nonsensical.
'Chwila' means 'day'.
'Chwila' means 'moment', not 'day'. 'Day' is 'dzień' in Polish.
You can say 'Poczekaj chwilę' to ask someone to wait a moment.
'Poczekaj chwilę' is a common and correct way to say 'Wait a moment' in Polish.
The word 'chwila' is used to talk about a long period of time.
'Chwila' refers to a short duration, a 'moment', not a long period.
Listen for 'chwilę' in the sentence asking someone to wait.
Listen for 'chwilę' in the sentence about seeing someone soon.
Listen for 'chwilę' in the question asking if someone has a moment.
Read this aloud:
Jedna chwila.
Focus: CHVEE-lah
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Za chwilę.
Focus: zah CHVEE-leh
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Piękna chwila.
Focus: PYENK-nah CHVEE-lah
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen for 'chwilę' in a sentence about waiting.
Listen for 'chwilę' in a sentence about impending rain.
Listen for 'chwila' in a sentence about importance.
Read this aloud:
Poczekaj chwilę.
Focus: chwila
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Jedna chwila.
Focus: jedna chwila
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Jeszcze chwilę.
Focus: jeszcze chwilę
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence using 'chwila' to describe a brief moment you enjoyed recently.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ta chwila była bardzo miła. (This moment was very nice.)
Imagine you're waiting for a friend. Write a sentence asking them to wait 'a moment'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Poczekaj chwilę. (Wait a moment.)
Write a sentence saying you'll be back in 'a moment'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Wrócę za chwilę. (I'll be back in a moment.)
What did the speaker enjoy in the cafe?
Read this passage:
Spotkałem się z moją przyjaciółką w kawiarni. Rozmawialiśmy o naszych planach na weekend. To była bardzo przyjemna chwila. Potem poszliśmy na spacer do parku.
What did the speaker enjoy in the cafe?
The passage says 'To była bardzo przyjemna chwila' (It was a very pleasant moment) referring to the conversation.
The passage says 'To była bardzo przyjemna chwila' (It was a very pleasant moment) referring to the conversation.
What does the speaker want to do before the gift is opened?
Read this passage:
Proszę, poczekaj chwilę, zanim otworzysz prezent. Chcę zrobić zdjęcie. To będzie wyjątkowy moment.
What does the speaker want to do before the gift is opened?
The passage states 'Chcę zrobić zdjęcie' (I want to take a photo) before the gift is opened.
The passage states 'Chcę zrobić zdjęcie' (I want to take a photo) before the gift is opened.
How long will it take to prepare dinner?
Read this passage:
Przygotowuję kolację dla moich rodziców. To zajmie tylko chwilę. Będzie pysznie!
How long will it take to prepare dinner?
The phrase 'To zajmie tylko chwilę' means 'It will only take a moment'.
The phrase 'To zajmie tylko chwilę' means 'It will only take a moment'.
This means 'Just one more moment and we're leaving.'
This means 'Wait a moment, I need to find the keys.'
This means 'That was a beautiful moment in my life.'
Wybierz zdanie, w którym słowo 'chwila' jest użyte poprawnie.
'Chwila' to moment. Poprawne użycie to 'piękna chwila'. Pozostałe zdania mają błędy gramatyczne lub znaczeniowe.
Które słowo jest synonimem 'chwili' w kontekście krótkiego, ulotnego momentu?
'Chwila' często odnosi się do krótkiego momentu, a 'ułamek sekundy' najlepiej oddaje tę ideę. Pozostałe opcje oznaczają dłuższe okresy czasu.
Wybierz zdanie, które najlepiej oddaje znaczenie 'za chwilę'.
'Za chwilę' oznacza, że coś wydarzy się w najbliższej przyszłości, 'soon' or 'in a moment'.
Wyrażenie 'w wolnej chwili' oznacza 'w wolnym czasie'.
Tak, 'w wolnej chwili' jest idiomatycznym zwrotem oznaczającym 'w wolnym czasie', 'in one's free time'.
Słowo 'chwila' może być używane do opisania długiego okresu czasu.
Nie, 'chwila' odnosi się zazwyczaj do krótkiego, ulotnego momentu, nie do długiego okresu czasu.
Jeśli ktoś mówi 'Poczekaj chwilę!', to prosi o długie oczekiwanie.
Nie, 'Poczekaj chwilę!' oznacza 'poczekaj krótki moment', 'wait a moment'.
W tej ___ krytycznej, podjął decyzję, która zmieniła bieg wydarzeń.
Używamy formy 'chwili' (dopełniacz) po przyimku 'w' w odniesieniu do czasu.
Nawet w najbardziej niepewnych ___, zachował zimną krew i trzeźwy umysł.
Po przyimku 'w' w liczbie mnogiej używamy formy 'chwilach' (miejscownik).
Od tamtej ___ jego życie nigdy nie było takie samo.
Po przyimku 'od' używamy formy dopełniacza 'chwili'.
Każda ___ spędzona w towarzystwie mistrza była bezcenna.
W tym kontekście 'chwila' jest podmiotem zdania, dlatego używamy formy mianownika.
Czekał na idealną ___, aby przedstawić swój nowatorski pomysł.
Po czasowniku 'czekać na' w połączeniu z rzeczownikiem 'chwila' używamy formy biernika 'chwilę'.
W jednej ___ refleksji, zrozumiał cały sens swojego istnienia.
Po przyimku 'w' w odniesieniu do czasu używamy formy miejscownika 'chwili'.
Które zdanie najlepiej oddaje użycie słowa "chwila" w kontekście ulotności czasu?
To zdanie podkreśla krótkotrwałość 'chwili', która jednak zostaje w pamięci, co doskonale oddaje ulotność czasu.
W jakim kontekście "chwila" może oznaczać krótką przerwę lub moment do namysłu?
Zdanie 'Potrzebuję chwilę, żeby to przemyśleć' bezpośrednio wskazuje na potrzebę krótkiego momentu na zastanowienie.
Wybierz zdanie, w którym "chwila" jest użyta w sensie przełomowego, znaczącego momentu.
Wyrażenie 'chwila prawdy' oznacza kluczowy, często decydujący moment, który ujawnia prawdę o sytuacji lub osobie.
Wyrażenie "na chwilę" zawsze oznacza bardzo krótki, nieokreślony czas.
Chociaż "na chwilę" często oznacza krótki czas, jego długość może być względna i zależy od kontekstu. Nie zawsze jest to 'bardzo krótki' czas, czasem po prostu 'przez pewien czas'.
W zdaniu "W każdej chwili mogę zmienić zdanie" słowo "chwila" oznacza moment, w którym decyzja może zostać podjęta.
Tak, "w każdej chwili" oznacza, że zmiana zdania jest możliwa w dowolnym punkcie czasowym, w dowolnym momencie.
Zwrot "ani przez chwilę" oznacza brak jakiegokolwiek momentu, w którym coś się działo.
Dokładnie tak, "ani przez chwilę" oznacza, że coś nie miało miejsca nawet przez najmniejszy fragment czasu.
This sentence means 'Everything changed in one moment.' We are focusing on the correct placement of 'w jednej chwili' (in one moment) at the end of the sentence.
This sentence means 'Don't forget about every small moment.' The phrase 'o każdej drobnej chwili' (about every small moment) is a prepositional phrase, and its elements need to be kept together.
This sentence translates to 'It was a moment of truth for us.' The noun 'chwila' is followed by its genitive modifier 'prawdy' (of truth), and then the prepositional phrase 'dla nas' (for us).
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Remember that 'chwila' is your go-to word for 'moment' in Polish, and it's used frequently in various situations.
- "Chwila" means moment or instant.
- It's a very common word in Polish.
- You'll hear it in many different contexts.
Chwila means a moment
The word "chwila" directly translates to a moment. It's used just like you would use "moment" in English.
Use with preposition "za"
To say "in a moment," you'll often use "za chwilę." For example, "Za chwilę wracam" means "I'll be back in a moment."
Use with preposition "na"
If you want to say "for a moment," you use "na chwilę." For instance, "Zatrzymałem się na chwilę" means "I stopped for a moment."
Combine with "jedna"
Just like in English, you can say "jedna chwila" for "one moment." This emphasizes the brevity. "Poczekaj jedną chwilę" means "Wait one moment."
관련 콘텐츠
관련 표현
general 관련 단어
a
A1and/but
adaptacja
B2the process of adjusting to new conditions
adekwatny
C1Satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity.
akceptowalny
C1Able to be agreed on; satisfactory.
akceptować
B1To accept or agree to something
albo
A1or
ale
A1but
alternatywa
C1One of two or more available possibilities.
angielski
A1English
atrakcyjny
B1Pleasing or appealing to the senses