Meaning
Informing someone about something later
Cultural Background
In Poland, 'dać znać' is often used as a polite way to end a conversation without making a firm commitment. It's a social 'escape hatch'. Using 'Proszę dać znać' in an email is considered professional and respectful of the other person's schedule. It is less demanding than 'Proszę odpowiedzieć' (Please answer). In some regions, you might hear 'dać znać' mixed with local dialects, but the phrase itself remains a standard across all of Poland. Younger Poles often use 'dać cynk' or 'pisać' (write) instead of 'dać znać' in very casual settings.
The Dative Shortcut
Always remember: Daj MI, Daj CI, Daj NAM. Never use 'mnie' or 'ciebie' here.
Don't over-formalize
In a casual text, don't say 'Poinformuj mnie'. It sounds like you're a police officer. Stick to 'Daj znać'.
Meaning
Informing someone about something later
The Dative Shortcut
Always remember: Daj MI, Daj CI, Daj NAM. Never use 'mnie' or 'ciebie' here.
Don't over-formalize
In a casual text, don't say 'Poinformuj mnie'. It sounds like you're a police officer. Stick to 'Daj znać'.
The 'Jak tylko' combo
Pair 'Daj znać' with 'jak tylko' (as soon as) to sound very natural and proactive.
Polite ghosting?
If a Pole says 'Dam znać' and never does, it might be a polite way of saying 'no'. Don't take it personally!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the pronoun (Dative).
Jeśli będziesz w Warszawie, daj ___ (ja) znać!
The verb 'dać' requires the Dative case. 'Mi' is the short Dative form of 'ja'.
Which sentence is correct?
You want to tell your boss you will update him later.
'Dam znać' is the correct future form for a one-time update.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Idziesz z nami do kina? B: Nie wiem jeszcze. ________, jak sprawdzę grafik.
B is promising a future update to A, so 'Dam ci znać' (I will let you know) is correct.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are waiting for a package and want the courier to call you.
This is a polite, formal request suitable for a service provider.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeśli będziesz w Warszawie, daj ___ (ja) znać!
The verb 'dać' requires the Dative case. 'Mi' is the short Dative form of 'ja'.
You want to tell your boss you will update him later.
'Dam znać' is the correct future form for a one-time update.
A: Idziesz z nami do kina? B: Nie wiem jeszcze. ________, jak sprawdzę grafik.
B is promising a future update to A, so 'Dam ci znać' (I will let you know) is correct.
Situation: You are waiting for a package and want the courier to call you.
This is a polite, formal request suitable for a service provider.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, and colleagues. For very formal letters, use 'poinformować'.
Yes, 'o' + Locative is the correct way to specify the topic.
'Dać znać' is for a one-time update. 'Dawać znać' is for keeping someone updated over time.
Yes: 'Dałem mu znać wczoraj' (I let him know yesterday).
Not rude, but very casual. Use it only with close friends.
Daj znać, czy dasz radę.
It's an old idiomatic structure. 'Dać wiedzieć' is incorrect in Polish.
No, that's a common mistake. It must be 'Daj mi znać'.
Yes, very frequently. 'Proszę dać znać' is a standard professional closing.
It's short for 'Let me know when you are (here/there)'.
Yes, this means 'Let me know how you are doing' (Give me some news about yourself).
In texting, people sometimes just write 'Daj znać'.
Related Phrases
dać cynk
synonymTo give a tip-off/heads-up
odezwać się
similarTo get in touch
poinformować
specialized formTo inform
dać znak
similarTo give a physical signal
zameldować
specialized formTo report
przypomnieć się
contrastTo remind someone of oneself
