Zimna krew.
Cold blood.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'zimna krew' to describe someone who stays calm, rational, and composed during a high-pressure or dangerous situation.
- Means: Maintaining emotional control and composure under intense stress or provocation.
- Used in: Emergency situations, sports, difficult business negotiations, or exams.
- Don't confuse: 'Zimna krew' (composure) with 'być zimnym' (being emotionally distant/unfriendly).
Explanation at your level:
معنی
Staying calm in a stressful situation.
زمینه فرهنگی
In Polish history, 'zimna krew' is often contrasted with 'ułańska fantazja' (the reckless bravery of the light cavalry). While 'fantazja' is admired for its spirit, 'zimna krew' is respected for its effectiveness. In Polish corporate environments, showing 'zimna krew' during a crisis is a key indicator of leadership potential. Panicking is seen as a sign of juniority. Polish sports commentators use this phrase constantly, especially for 'clutch' players like Robert Lewandowski or Iga Świątek. In Polish law and media, 'z zimną krwią' is a technical-emotional term used to describe premeditated crimes, often leading to harsher social judgment.
Verb Choice
Always pair 'zimna krew' with 'zachować' for the most natural sound.
Case Sensitivity
Remember that 'krew' changes to 'krwi' in the genitive. 'Brak zimnej krwi' (Lack of cold blood).
معنی
Staying calm in a stressful situation.
Verb Choice
Always pair 'zimna krew' with 'zachować' for the most natural sound.
Case Sensitivity
Remember that 'krew' changes to 'krwi' in the genitive. 'Brak zimnej krwi' (Lack of cold blood).
Job Interviews
Use this phrase when asked about your strengths to sound like a native professional.
خودت رو بسنج
Uzupełnij zdanie odpowiednią formą.
W trudnych sytuacjach zawsze staram się zachować zimną _______.
Po czasowniku 'zachować' używamy biernika (Accusative). 'Krew' w bierniku to 'krew'.
Wybierz najlepszą odpowiedź.
Kiedy pilot ląduje awaryjnie, co musi zrobić?
Zachowanie zimnej krwi oznacza bycie spokojnym w niebezpieczeństwie.
Dopasuj sytuację do wyrażenia.
Ktoś zaplanował morderstwo bardzo dokładnie i bez emocji.
'Z zimną krwią' używamy do opisania okrutnych, zaplanowanych działań.
Uzupełnij dialog.
A: 'Boję się tego egzaminu!' B: 'Spokojnie, po prostu _______.'
'Zachowaj zimną krew' to najczęstszy sposób dawania rady w stresie.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
سوالات متداول
10 سوالUsually yes, when used with 'zachować'. However, 'z zimną krwią' is negative, implying ruthlessness.
Yes, it means 'I have the trait of composure', but 'zachowuję zimną krew' is more common for actions.
The most common opposite is 'panika' or 'stracić głowę' (to lose one's head).
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Literally, yes (cold-blooded animals), but the idiom is only for humans.
It sounds like 'kref'. The 'w' becomes an 'f' at the end of the word.
No, use 'oziębły' or 'zimny' for someone who is not friendly.
Yes, especially in war novels and detective stories.
Yes, it means someone is impulsive or passionate, the opposite of 'zimna krew'.
The Accusative case (Biernik).
عبارات مرتبط
nerwy ze stali
similarNerves of steel
zachować spokój
synonymTo stay calm
stracić głowę
contrastTo lose one's head
opanowanie
builds onSelf-control / Composure
z zimną krwią
specialized formIn cold blood
کجا استفاده کنیم
Car Accident
A: O mój Boże, uderzyłeś w ten płot!
B: Spokojnie, zachowaj zimną krew. Nikomu nic się nie stało.
Job Interview
Interviewer: Jak radzi pan sobie ze stresem?
Candidate: Zawsze staram się zachować zimną krew i szukać rozwiązań.
Watching Sports
Fan 1: Będzie karny! Nie wierzę!
Fan 2: Lewandowski ma zimną krew, na pewno trafi.
Medical Emergency
Doctor: Musimy operować natychmiast.
Nurse: Tak jest, zachowujemy zimną krew.
Exam Stress
Student A: Nic nie pamiętam! Wszystko zapomniałem!
Student B: Weź głęboki oddech. Zachowaj zimną krew, a wszystko sobie przypomnisz.
Dating App Conflict
Friend: On nie odpisał od trzech dni!
User: Zachowaj zimną krew, nie pisz do niego dziesięciu wiadomości.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Zebra in the Arctic' (Zimna) drinking 'Kool-aid' (Krew). Even in the freezing cold, the Zebra stays calm.
Visual Association
Imagine a human heart made of solid ice. No matter how much fire (stress) is around it, the heart stays frozen and steady.
Rhyme
Gdy sytuacja jest zła i zła, zimna krew ci siłę da.
Story
A pilot is flying a plane when an engine fails. Instead of screaming, he takes a deep breath, feels his blood turn to cool, refreshing water, and calmly flips the emergency switches. He 'zachował zimną krew' and saved everyone.
Word Web
چالش
Next time you are stuck in traffic or a long queue, tell yourself in Polish: 'Muszę zachować zimną krew'. Try to feel the physical sensation of calmness.
In Other Languages
Tener sangre fría
In Spanish, it's more frequently used to describe a 'cold' personality in general.
Sang-froid
French often uses it without the verb 'keep' as a standalone quality.
Kaltblütigkeit
Germans more often use 'die Ruhe bewahren' (keep the peace/calm) for positive composure.
冷静 (Reisei)
It is a formal Sino-Japanese compound rather than a body-fluid idiom.
دم بارد (Dam bārid)
Can sometimes imply a lack of 'ghayrah' (protective honor/passion) depending on context.
冷静 (Lěngjìng)
Usually functions as an adjective or verb rather than a noun phrase with 'blood'.
냉정 (Naengjeong)
Often carries a slightly negative connotation of being heartless.
Sangue-frio
Very common in Brazilian Portuguese to describe 'clutch' moments in football.
Easily Confused
Learners think it means being calm under pressure.
This usually means being emotionally distant or unfriendly.
Can refer to reptiles or killers.
Use 'zachować zimną krew' for the positive trait of composure.
سوالات متداول (10)
Usually yes, when used with 'zachować'. However, 'z zimną krwią' is negative, implying ruthlessness.
Yes, it means 'I have the trait of composure', but 'zachowuję zimną krew' is more common for actions.
The most common opposite is 'panika' or 'stracić głowę' (to lose one's head).
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Literally, yes (cold-blooded animals), but the idiom is only for humans.
It sounds like 'kref'. The 'w' becomes an 'f' at the end of the word.
No, use 'oziębły' or 'zimny' for someone who is not friendly.
Yes, especially in war novels and detective stories.
Yes, it means someone is impulsive or passionate, the opposite of 'zimna krew'.
The Accusative case (Biernik).