Meaning
To tell many lies.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the historical importance of 'najemnicy' (hired workers) in the Polish countryside. Doing something 'jak najęty' is a common template for any intensive action (working, talking, crying). In Polish political talk shows, you will often hear guests accusing each other of 'kłamanie jak najęty'. It is a standard rhetorical weapon in debates. Famous Polish characters, like Zagłoba in Sienkiewicz's 'Trilogy', are known for 'kłamanie jak najęty' to get out of trouble, often in a humorous way. While 'kłamać jak najęty' is classic, younger generations might use 'ściemniać' or 'wciskać kit', but they still understand and use the classic idiom for emphasis.
Gender Agreement
Always check the gender of the person you are talking about. 'Najęta' for women is the most common thing students forget!
Don't use in Court
Even if someone is lying, this phrase is too informal for a judge. Stick to 'mijać się z prawdą'.
Meaning
To tell many lies.
Gender Agreement
Always check the gender of the person you are talking about. 'Najęta' for women is the most common thing students forget!
Don't use in Court
Even if someone is lying, this phrase is too informal for a judge. Stick to 'mijać się z prawdą'.
The 'Najęty' Template
Once you learn this, you can use 'jak najęty' with other verbs like 'pracować' or 'sprzątać' to sound very natural.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'najęty' based on the subject.
Moja siostra kłamie jak _______.
The subject 'siostra' is feminine singular, so the adjective must be 'najęta'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'kłamać jak najęty'?
Wybierz sytuację:
This involves a significant, repeated, and shameless lie, which fits the idiom perfectly.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Czy on naprawdę wierzy, że mu uwierzymy? B: Nie wiem, ale ________.
The context of 'believing someone' implies we are talking about lying.
Match the idiom to its meaning.
Połącz pary:
These are all correct pairings of Polish lying idioms.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMoja siostra kłamie jak _______.
The subject 'siostra' is feminine singular, so the adjective must be 'najęta'.
Wybierz sytuację:
This involves a significant, repeated, and shameless lie, which fits the idiom perfectly.
A: Czy on naprawdę wierzy, że mu uwierzymy? B: Nie wiem, ale ________.
The context of 'believing someone' implies we are talking about lying.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all correct pairings of Polish lying idioms.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is an accusation of lying, so yes, it is confrontational. However, it's not a 'swear word'.
Usually no. It implies a stream of lies or a continuous effort to deceive.
'Łgać' is more literary or more insulting, while 'kłamać' is the standard word.
Yes, in this context it comes from the verb 'nająć' (to hire).
Yes, if the group is mixed or all male, use 'najęci'. If all female, 'najęte'.
Yes, 'mijać się z prawdą' (to pass by the truth) is the polite alternative.
No, it's too informal and aggressive for professional writing.
Because 'najęty' emphasizes the state of being hired to perform a specific, tireless task.
Very common. You'll hear it in movies, news commentary, and daily life.
Yes, if you are admitting to a past mistake or a funny situation where you had to lie.
Related Phrases
kłamać jak z nut
synonymTo lie very smoothly and convincingly.
łgać jak pies
synonymTo lie shamelessly.
wciskać kit
similarTo tell someone nonsense or lies.
mijać się z prawdą
contrastTo be untruthful (euphemism).
pracować jak najęty
builds onTo work very hard.
