Meaning
Having many tasks to complete.
Cultural Background
Complaining about work is a social lubricant. It's often seen as more humble than bragging about free time. The phrase 'ASAP' is often paired with 'dużo pracy' in Polish offices, creating a high-pressure environment known as 'korpo-świat'. Students use 'dużo pracy' to describe the 'sesja' (exam period), which is a semi-sacred time of intense study and coffee consumption. In agricultural areas, 'dużo pracy' is seasonal, peaking during 'żniwa' (harvest time).
The 'Y' Rule
Always remember the 'y' at the end of 'pracy'. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
The Sympathy Vote
Saying 'mam dużo pracy' is a great way to get sympathy from Polish colleagues. They will likely agree and complain too.
Meaning
Having many tasks to complete.
The 'Y' Rule
Always remember the 'y' at the end of 'pracy'. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
The Sympathy Vote
Saying 'mam dużo pracy' is a great way to get sympathy from Polish colleagues. They will likely agree and complain too.
Don't say 'Jestem zajęty'
While 'Jestem zajęty' (I am busy) is correct, 'Mam dużo pracy' sounds more natural and specific in a work context.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the word 'praca'.
Mam dzisiaj dużo ______.
After 'dużo', we must use the Genitive case, which for 'praca' is 'pracy'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I have a lot of work'?
Choose the correct sentence:
In Polish, you 'have' work (mam), and 'dużo' requires the Genitive 'pracy'.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
Ania: 'Idziesz z nami do kina?' Tomek: 'Nie mogę, ______.'
'Mam dużo pracy' is the standard excuse for being too busy for social activities.
Match the Polish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the present, past, and future forms of the phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where do you have 'dużo pracy'?
Place
- • w biurze
- • w domu
- • w szkole
Time
- • dzisiaj
- • w weekend
- • zawsze
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMam dzisiaj dużo ______.
After 'dużo', we must use the Genitive case, which for 'praca' is 'pracy'.
Choose the correct sentence:
In Polish, you 'have' work (mam), and 'dużo' requires the Genitive 'pracy'.
Ania: 'Idziesz z nami do kina?' Tomek: 'Nie mogę, ______.'
'Mam dużo pracy' is the standard excuse for being too busy for social activities.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the present, past, and future forms of the phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it must be 'dużo roboty' (Genitive). 'Robota' is the informal version of 'praca'.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral and polite in almost all contexts.
'Dużo' is more common in spoken language. 'Wiele' is more formal and often used with countable nouns.
Use 'za dużo pracy'.
Related Phrases
ciężka praca
similarhard work
brak pracy
contrastlack of work / unemployment
nawał obowiązków
specialized forma flood of duties
mieć urwanie głowy
similarto be extremely busy/hectic
