Meaning
Adding another fact.
Cultural Background
Using this phrase while complaining is a social bonding ritual. It shows you are engaged in the conversation and share the other person's frustrations. In Polish business meetings, this phrase is used to 'soften' a critique by framing a major flaw as an 'additional' point rather than the primary attack. Polish romantic poets used this structure to create a sense of 'ineffability'—that some things are so grand they cannot be spoken of, yet must be mentioned.
The 'Final Straw' Rule
Save 'nie mówiąc o tym' for the most important or shocking fact in your list to maximize impact.
Comma Alert
Always check your commas. Polish readers find missing commas before 'że' very distracting.
Meaning
Adding another fact.
The 'Final Straw' Rule
Save 'nie mówiąc o tym' for the most important or shocking fact in your list to maximize impact.
Comma Alert
Always check your commas. Polish readers find missing commas before 'że' very distracting.
Complaining is Bonding
Don't be afraid to use this to complain; it's a very natural way to make Polish friends!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'nie mówiąc o tym' and the following noun in the correct case.
On nie ma roweru, ________ (nie mówiąc o tym / samochód).
The preposition 'o' requires the Locative case. 'Samochód' becomes 'samochodzie'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct and natural?
Choose the best option:
The 'że' clause is the standard way to add an adjective or a full thought.
Complete the dialogue with the most emphatic response.
A: Czy ten film był dobry? B: Nie, był nudny, ________.
'Nie mówiąc o tym' adds the necessary emphasis to show why the film was truly bad.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesOn nie ma roweru, ________ (nie mówiąc o tym / samochód).
The preposition 'o' requires the Locative case. 'Samochód' becomes 'samochodzie'.
Choose the best option:
The 'że' clause is the standard way to add an adjective or a full thought.
A: Czy ten film był dobry? B: Nie, był nudny, ________.
'Nie mówiąc o tym' adds the necessary emphasis to show why the film was truly bad.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, but it's more common as a connector between two clauses.
'A co dopiero' is more emphatic and usually used in negative contexts (e.g., 'I can't walk, let alone run').
Yes, if you are using it as a general connector. If you are talking about a specific noun, you replace 'tym' with that noun in the Locative case.
Related Phrases
nie wspominając o
synonymnot mentioning
a co dopiero
similarlet alone
mało tego
builds onmoreover / that's not all
pomijając
contrastsetting aside
