Meaning
To say something about a topic.
Cultural Background
The 'dzienniczek' (small school diary) is a cultural icon. Parents used to sign 'uwagi' written by teachers there. It represents the first time most Poles encounter the phrase. Direct feedback is common. If a colleague 'robi uwagę', they usually expect you to fix the problem immediately without taking it personally. In Poland, older people (seniorzy) often feel it is their right to 'zrobić uwagę' to younger people about their behavior in public transport. During thesis defenses, professors 'robią uwagi' which the student must then address. It is a ritualized form of critique.
Softening the blow
If you need to make a remark to a superior, start with 'Jeśli można, chciałbym zrobić małą uwagę...' to sound more polite.
The 'Zwracać' Trap
90% of learners use 'robić uwagę' when they mean 'to notice'. Always double-check if you are speaking or just looking!
Meaning
To say something about a topic.
Softening the blow
If you need to make a remark to a superior, start with 'Jeśli można, chciałbym zrobić małą uwagę...' to sound more polite.
The 'Zwracać' Trap
90% of learners use 'robić uwagę' when they mean 'to notice'. Always double-check if you are speaking or just looking!
Constructive vs. Malicious
In Poland, an 'uwaga' is often expected to be 'konstruktywna' (constructive). If it's just mean, it's called 'złośliwa uwaga'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'robić' or 'zrobić'.
Nauczyciel wczoraj _______ mi uwagę, bo nie miałem zadania.
The sentence refers to a specific past event ('wczoraj'), so the perfective past tense 'zrobił' is correct.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the correct way to say 'I noticed the cat'.
'Zwrócić uwagę na coś' means to notice something. 'Zrobić uwagę' would mean scolding the cat.
Complete the dialogue.
Marek: 'Przepraszam, czy mogę _______ jedną uwagę do tego projektu?' Ania: 'Oczywiście, słucham.'
In a formal request to make a specific remark, 'zrobić' (perfective) is the most natural choice.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match: 1. Robić uwagę uczniowi, 2. Zwrócić uwagę na promocję, 3. Wnieść uwagi do umowy.
School is for reprimands, shopping is for noticing deals, and legal offices are for formal remarks on contracts.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Robić vs. Zwracać
Common Adjectives for 'Uwaga'
Positive
- • trafna
- • słuszna
- • cenna
Negative
- • złośliwa
- • zbędna
- • uszczypliwa
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNauczyciel wczoraj _______ mi uwagę, bo nie miałem zadania.
The sentence refers to a specific past event ('wczoraj'), so the perfective past tense 'zrobił' is correct.
Choose the correct way to say 'I noticed the cat'.
'Zwrócić uwagę na coś' means to notice something. 'Zrobić uwagę' would mean scolding the cat.
Marek: 'Przepraszam, czy mogę _______ jedną uwagę do tego projektu?' Ania: 'Oczywiście, słucham.'
In a formal request to make a specific remark, 'zrobić' (perfective) is the most natural choice.
Match: 1. Robić uwagę uczniowi, 2. Zwrócić uwagę na promocję, 3. Wnieść uwagi do umowy.
School is for reprimands, shopping is for noticing deals, and legal offices are for formal remarks on contracts.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily, but it usually implies a correction. However, in professional contexts, it can be a neutral technical observation.
No, for compliments we say 'prawić komplementy' or 'mówić komplementy'. 'Robić uwagę' is for remarks/critiques.
The plural is 'robić uwagi'. For example: 'On zawsze robi mi uwagi' (He is always making remarks to me).
Yes, especially in a professional context like 'robić uwagi do tekstu' (to make comments on a text).
Yes, if you use a polite introduction like 'Czy mogę zrobić jedną uwagę?'.
'Uwaga' is often more corrective or specific, while 'komentarz' is broader and can be just an opinion.
You say 'wziąć sobie uwagę do serca'.
'Zrobić' is used for a single instance, 'robić' for a habit. Both are very common.
Yes, but 'robić uwagę na temat czegoś' or 'do czegoś' is often more natural.
In a school context, yes. In a meeting, no.
Related Phrases
zwrócić uwagę
similarto notice or draw attention
mieć uwagę
builds onto have a remark/comment
przyjąć uwagę
contrastto accept a remark/criticism
zignorować uwagę
contrastto ignore a remark
trafna uwaga
specialized forman apt/valid remark
