Significado
Having a conflict with someone.
Contexto cultural
In Polish villages, the 'pień' was a central place for work. Having a conflict 'on the stump' suggests a very public or well-known disagreement within a small community. Modern Polish office culture is quite hierarchical. Having 'na pieńku' with a boss is a serious matter that often leads to looking for a new job. The phrase might relate to the 'karbowy'—an official who notched sticks to record the labor of serfs. A conflict on the stick meant a conflict with the law or the landlord. Polish literature (like Sienkiewicz) often features noblemen who have 'na pieńku' with each other for decades, leading to epic duels.
Use with 'u'
If you want to sound more like a native, use 'mam u niego na pieńku' to say 'I'm on his bad side.'
Don't use 'być'
Never say 'Jestem na pieńku.' It's always 'Mam na pieńku.'
Significado
Having a conflict with someone.
Use with 'u'
If you want to sound more like a native, use 'mam u niego na pieńku' to say 'I'm on his bad side.'
Don't use 'być'
Never say 'Jestem na pieńku.' It's always 'Mam na pieńku.'
The 'z' is key
Always remember the 'z' + Instrumental case for the person you have the conflict with.
Softening the blow
You can add 'trochę' (a bit) to make it sound less aggressive: 'Mam z nim trochę na pieńku.'
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Mam na pieńku z moją ______ (siostra).
After 'z' in this idiom, we use the Instrumental case. 'Siostra' becomes 'siostrą'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say you have a conflict with your boss?
Jak to powiesz?
The verb is 'mieć' and the idiom uses 'pieńku'. 'Mam na pieńku u szefa' is also possible but less common than 'z szefem'.
Match the Polish phrase with its English equivalent.
Połącz pary:
These are all related to conflict but have different nuances.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Dlaczego nie rozmawiasz z Markiem? B: Bo ______ z nim na pieńku o te pieniądze.
The idiom always uses the verb 'mieć'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMam na pieńku z moją ______ (siostra).
After 'z' in this idiom, we use the Instrumental case. 'Siostra' becomes 'siostrą'.
Jak to powiesz?
The verb is 'mieć' and the idiom uses 'pieńku'. 'Mam na pieńku u szefa' is also possible but less common than 'z szefem'.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are all related to conflict but have different nuances.
A: Dlaczego nie rozmawiasz z Markiem? B: Bo ______ z nim na pieńku o te pieniądze.
The idiom always uses the verb 'mieć'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
14 preguntasNo, it's not rude, but it is informal. It's fine for friends and family.
Usually, it's for something that lasts longer than one argument—a grudge.
The idiom doesn't really change. 'Mamy z nimi na pieńku.'
No, it's almost always used for people or groups of people, not objects or concepts.
Only in casual conversation between colleagues, never in formal meetings.
'Kłócić się' is the action of arguing. 'Mieć na pieńku' is the state of being on bad terms after the argument.
You can say 'Już nie mamy na pieńku' or 'Pogodziliśmy się.'
Yes, it's the locative case of 'pieniek', which is a small 'pień' (stump).
Yes! 'On ma na pieńku z mediami.'
No, it's mostly about social tension and dislike.
Yes, 'być w konflikcie' or 'mieć napięte relacje'.
Yes, it's very common in schools.
No, it's used universally across the country.
That means 'on the spot' or 'immediately' (e.g., to sell something). Don't mix them up!
Frases relacionadas
drzeć z kimś koty
similarTo argue constantly
być na wojennej ścieżce
similarTo be on the warpath
mieć kogoś na oku
contrastTo keep an eye on someone
żyć jak pies z kotem
similarTo live like cat and dog
mieć z kimś porachunki
builds onTo have scores to settle
