A1 Expression ニュートラル

Nie teraz

Not now

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A simple, direct way to postpone an interaction or task when you are currently occupied.

  • Means: 'Not now' — used to defer an action to an unspecified future time.
  • Used in: Interruptions at work, busy moments at home, or avoiding unwanted conversations.
  • Don't confuse: With 'Zaraz' (In a moment), which implies you will do it very soon.
Busy person 🏃‍♂️ + Interruption ❓ = Nie teraz ✋

Explanation at your level:

At A1, 'Nie teraz' is a 'survival phrase'. It is two simple words that help you stop a conversation when you don't understand or are too busy. You don't need to worry about grammar or endings. Just remember: 'Nie' = No, 'Teraz' = Now. Use it with a smile to stay polite.
At the A2 level, you should start combining 'Nie teraz' with simple reasons. For example, 'Nie teraz, bo jem' (Not now, because I am eating). You understand that it is a neutral phrase but can be made more polite by adding 'Przepraszam' at the beginning.
By B1, you can use 'Nie teraz' to manage more complex social situations. You know the difference between 'Nie teraz' and 'Zaraz'. You can use it to defer tasks at work: 'Nie teraz, muszę skończyć ten raport'. You also start to recognize the tone of voice used by others when they say it.
At B2, you understand the pragmatic nuances. You know that 'Nie teraz' can sound dismissive, so you use alternatives like 'Nie w tej chwili' in professional emails or meetings. You can also use it sarcastically or to express frustration in a way that sounds natural to native speakers.
At C1, you analyze 'Nie teraz' as a discourse marker. You understand how it functions in power dynamics—who has the right to say 'Nie teraz' to whom. You can use it to subtly control the flow of a negotiation or a heated debate, using prosody to signal either a temporary pause or a total refusal.
At C2 mastery, you perceive the cognitive linguistics behind the phrase. You recognize its role in the Polish 'script of directness'. You can manipulate the phrase for stylistic effect in writing, perhaps using it as a recurring motif to characterize a busy or avoidant protagonist, or analyzing its etymological roots in Slavic temporal perception.

意味

Deferring an action.

🌍

文化的背景

Poles value 'szczerość' (sincerity). Saying 'Nie teraz' is often preferred over a fake 'Yes' that leads to poor results. In modern Polish offices, 'Nie teraz' is often replaced by the English-influenced 'Jestem na callu' (I'm on a call). Younger generations might use 'Nie teraz' as a meme or a way to avoid chores, often with an exaggerated sigh. In traditional settings, saying 'Nie teraz' to an elder without a reason can be seen as 'pyskowanie' (mouthing off).

💡

Add a reason

To avoid sounding rude, always follow 'Nie teraz' with a short reason like 'jem' (I'm eating) or 'pracuję' (I'm working).

⚠️

Tone matters

A sharp 'Nie teraz!' can end a friendship. Use a falling intonation to sound busy rather than angry.

意味

Deferring an action.

💡

Add a reason

To avoid sounding rude, always follow 'Nie teraz' with a short reason like 'jem' (I'm eating) or 'pracuję' (I'm working).

⚠️

Tone matters

A sharp 'Nie teraz!' can end a friendship. Use a falling intonation to sound busy rather than angry.

🎯

The 'No' sandwich

In business, use: 'Chętnie, ale nie teraz, może o 15:00?' (Gladly, but not now, maybe at 3 PM?).

自分をテスト

Fill in the missing word to say 'Not now'.

___ teraz, jestem zajęty.

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！ 正解: Nie

'Nie' is the correct particle for negating adverbs like 'teraz'.

Which phrase is the most polite way to say 'not now' to a boss?

How do you tell your boss you are busy?

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！ 正解: Przepraszam, ale nie w tej chwili.

Adding 'Przepraszam' and using 'w tej chwili' makes it formal and respectful.

Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.

Ania: 'Czy możesz mi pomóc z tym zadaniem?' Marek: '____, muszę wyjść za 5 minut.'

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！ 正解: Nie teraz

Marek is leaving soon, so he cannot help at this moment.

Match the phrase to the situation.

You are playing a video game and your brother asks for a toy.

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！ 正解: Nie teraz!

In an informal, high-focus situation like gaming, 'Nie teraz!' is the most common response.

🎉 スコア： /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

When to say 'Nie teraz'

💻

Work

  • • Deep work
  • • Meetings
  • • Phone calls
🏠

Home

  • • Cooking
  • • Sleeping
  • • Gaming
🗣️

Social

  • • Street ads
  • • Busy walking
  • • Arguments

よくある質問

10 問

It depends on the tone. By itself, it is neutral, but with friends, it's fine. With strangers, add 'Przepraszam'.

'Nie teraz' focuses on the present refusal. 'Później' focuses on the future promise.

It's better to use 'Nie w tej chwili' or 'W tej chwili nie mogę' in writing.

You can say 'Naprawdę nie teraz!' (Really not now!).

Yes, but in some contexts, it can mean 'nowadays' (obecnie).

At the end of the word, it is devoiced and sounds like 's'.

Yes, but it's less common. It sounds like you are correcting someone who thought it WAS now.

Often to avoid chores, usually followed by 'zaraz' (in a bit).

The opposite is 'Właśnie teraz' (Right now).

Not a direct one, but 'Nie zawracaj gitary' (Don't turn the guitar/bother me) is a common slang alternative.

関連フレーズ

🔗

Zaraz

similar

In a moment

🔄

Później

synonym

Later

🔗

Nie w tej chwili

specialized form

Not at this moment

🔗

Nigdy

contrast

Never

🔗

Już

contrast

Already / Now

🔗

Chwileczkę

similar

Just a second

どこで使う？

🎮

Gaming

Friend: Chcesz pizzę?

You: Nie teraz, jestem w środku walki!

informal
💼

Office Interruption

Colleague: Masz minutkę?

You: Przepraszam, nie teraz. Mam spotkanie.

neutral
👶

Parenting

Child: Tato, pobaw się ze mną!

You: Nie teraz, kochanie, tata gotuje obiad.

informal
📋

Street Survey

Promoter: Czy ma pan chwilę na ankietę?

You: Nie teraz, śpieszę się.

neutral
💔

Dating/Relationship

Partner: Musimy porozmawiać o naszych wakacjach.

You: Nie teraz, miałem ciężki dzień w pracy.

informal
📱

Phone Call

Caller: Cześć, masz czas pogadać?

You: Właśnie wchodzę do autobusu, nie teraz. Oddzwonię!

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Nie' as 'No' and 'Teraz' as 'Time' (T-eraz). 'No Time!'

Visual Association

Imagine a giant red 'X' over a clock face. The clock is ticking, but the 'X' says 'Nie!'.

Rhyme

Nie teraz, bo zaraz... (Not now, because soon... - a common playful start to a sentence)

Story

You are a famous Polish chef. A waiter runs in asking for a selfie. You are holding a flaming pan. You look him in the eye and say 'Nie teraz!' because the pierogi are burning.

Word Web

zarazpóźniejnigdydzisiajmomentchwilaczas

チャレンジ

Try to say 'Nie teraz' out loud with three different emotions: annoyed, busy, and apologetic.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Ahora no

Spanish often puts 'ahora' first, while Polish prefers 'nie' first.

French high

Pas maintenant

French requires the 'pas' without 'ne' in casual speech, similar to Polish 'nie'.

German high

Jetzt nicht

The word order is the primary difference (Now Not vs Not Now).

Japanese moderate

今はダメ (Ima wa dame)

Japanese is much more indirect; a simple 'not now' might be considered too blunt without honorifics.

Arabic high

ليس الآن (Laysa al-'an)

The choice of negation changes significantly between Modern Standard Arabic and dialects.

Chinese moderate

现在不行 (Xiànzài bùxíng)

Focuses on the 'possibility' of the action rather than just the time.

Korean moderate

지금은 안 돼 (Jigeumeun an dwae)

Requires different endings based on the social hierarchy of the speaker.

Portuguese high

Agora não

Like Spanish, it usually places 'now' before 'no'.

Easily Confused

Nie teraz 対 Zaraz

Learners think 'Zaraz' means 'Now', but in Poland, 'Zaraz' can mean anything from 5 seconds to 5 hours.

Use 'Nie teraz' if you want to stop the person; use 'Zaraz' if you intend to help soon.

Nie teraz 対 Teraz nie

The word order change shifts the emphasis.

Always stick to 'Nie teraz' for the standard 'Not now' meaning.

よくある質問 (10)

It depends on the tone. By itself, it is neutral, but with friends, it's fine. With strangers, add 'Przepraszam'.

'Nie teraz' focuses on the present refusal. 'Później' focuses on the future promise.

It's better to use 'Nie w tej chwili' or 'W tej chwili nie mogę' in writing.

You can say 'Naprawdę nie teraz!' (Really not now!).

Yes, but in some contexts, it can mean 'nowadays' (obecnie).

At the end of the word, it is devoiced and sounds like 's'.

Yes, but it's less common. It sounds like you are correcting someone who thought it WAS now.

Often to avoid chores, usually followed by 'zaraz' (in a bit).

The opposite is 'Właśnie teraz' (Right now).

Not a direct one, but 'Nie zawracaj gitary' (Don't turn the guitar/bother me) is a common slang alternative.

役に立った？

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