معنی
Not having made much progress.
زمینه فرهنگی
Forests cover about 30% of Poland. The idiom reflects the historical reality of the forest as a place where one could easily get lost or delayed. In Polish offices, 'być w lesie' is often used to soften the blow of bad news. It sounds less accusatory than 'mamy opóźnienie'. Students use this phrase during 'sesja' (exam period) almost as a badge of honor or a way to bond over shared stress. Poland has a strong culture of home renovation. 'Być w lesie' is the standard answer when a neighbor asks why the construction is taking so long.
Use 'Głęboko' for effect
If you want to sound like a native, add 'głęboko' (deeply). 'Jesteśmy głęboko w lesie' sounds much more natural and dramatic.
Watch the Case
Always use 'w lesie' (locative). 'W las' (accusative) means something completely different (into the forest).
معنی
Not having made much progress.
Use 'Głęboko' for effect
If you want to sound like a native, add 'głęboko' (deeply). 'Jesteśmy głęboko w lesie' sounds much more natural and dramatic.
Watch the Case
Always use 'w lesie' (locative). 'W las' (accusative) means something completely different (into the forest).
The 'Narzekanie' Bond
Don't be afraid to use this to complain. In Poland, admitting you are behind is a great way to start a conversation.
خودت رو بسنج
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Mamy jutro oddać projekt, a my jesteśmy jeszcze głęboko w _______.
The idiom requires the locative case of 'las', which is 'lesie'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'behind schedule'?
Wybierz poprawne zdanie:
Option B uses the idiom figuratively. A and C are literal.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Szef: 'Czy raport jest gotowy?' Pracownik: 'Niestety nie, ________.'
'Jestem w lesie' is the standard idiom for being behind on work.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Sytuacja: Masz egzamin za 2 godziny, a przeczytałeś tylko 1 stronę z 100.
This situation describes a massive lack of progress.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاMamy jutro oddać projekt, a my jesteśmy jeszcze głęboko w _______.
The idiom requires the locative case of 'las', which is 'lesie'.
Wybierz poprawne zdanie:
Option B uses the idiom figuratively. A and C are literal.
Szef: 'Czy raport jest gotowy?' Pracownik: 'Niestety nie, ________.'
'Jestem w lesie' is the standard idiom for being behind on work.
Sytuacja: Masz egzamin za 2 godziny, a przeczytałeś tylko 1 stronę z 100.
This situation describes a massive lack of progress.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNo, it's not rude. It's informal and honest. It's widely used in professional settings among colleagues.
Yes, you can say 'On jest w lesie' to mean he is behind with his tasks.
The best opposite is 'być na prostej' (to be on the home stretch).
Mostly, but it can apply to anything with a timeline, like learning a skill or planning an event.
No. 'Zgubić się' means to be physically lost. 'Być w lesie' is about progress.
No, that's not an idiom. Stick to 'las'.
Use 'Jestem daleko w lesie' or 'Jestem głęboko w lesie'.
Yes, similar metaphors exist in Russian and Ukrainian, but the 'forest' specific one is very Polish.
Yes: 'Byliśmy w lesie, ale nadrobiliśmy zaległości' (We were behind, but we caught up).
If your boss is friendly and the atmosphere is casual, yes. If it's a very formal environment, be careful.
عبارات مرتبط
być na prostej
contrastTo be on the home stretch / finishing up.
mieć zaległości
similarTo have a backlog / be behind.
być w czarnej dupie
synonymTo be in deep trouble / very far behind.
zaczynać od zera
builds onTo start from scratch.
