Meaning
To highlight errors in someone's work.
Cultural Background
Poles are generally very direct about linguistic errors. It is not considered rude to correct someone's grammar in a professional setting; rather, it is seen as helpful. In Polish universities, 'zwrócenie uwagi na błędy' is the primary method of instruction. Professors often focus heavily on the 'what is wrong' to build rigor. There is a phenomenon called 'Grammar Nazi' (though the term is becoming dated) where users aggressively point out errors. In Poland, this is often done under the guise of 'dbanie o język' (caring for the language). When giving feedback to a superior, use the conditional: 'Chciałbym zwrócić uwagę na błędy' (I would like to point out errors) to sound more polite.
Use the Imperfective for Habits
If you want to tell your tutor to always correct you, say 'Proszę zawsze zwracać uwagę na moje błędy'.
Watch the Case!
Never say 'na błędach'. It's always 'na błędy' (Accusative).
Meaning
To highlight errors in someone's work.
Use the Imperfective for Habits
If you want to tell your tutor to always correct you, say 'Proszę zawsze zwracać uwagę na moje błędy'.
Watch the Case!
Never say 'na błędach'. It's always 'na błędy' (Accusative).
Directness is Key
Don't be offended if a Pole points out your mistakes; it's usually meant as a sign of helpfulness.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
Nauczyciel zawsze zwraca uwagę ___ błędy uczniów.
The phrase 'zwrócić uwagę' always takes the preposition 'na' when referring to the object of attention.
Choose the correct aspect of the verb.
Jako korektor, codziennie _______ uwagę na błędy w tekstach.
Since the sentence says 'codziennie' (every day), we need the imperfective aspect 'zwracam'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
A: Czy sprawdziłeś mój raport? B: Tak, _________ na błędy w tabelach, musisz je poprawić.
The speaker is reporting a completed action in the past.
Match the sentence to the correct register.
1. Zwracam uwagę na błędy. 2. Ej, patrz jakie byki! 3. Pragnę zwrócić uwagę na błędy.
'Pragnę' is a formal marker, while 'byki' is slang for mistakes.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNauczyciel zawsze zwraca uwagę ___ błędy uczniów.
The phrase 'zwrócić uwagę' always takes the preposition 'na' when referring to the object of attention.
Jako korektor, codziennie _______ uwagę na błędy w tekstach.
Since the sentence says 'codziennie' (every day), we need the imperfective aspect 'zwracam'.
A: Czy sprawdziłeś mój raport? B: Tak, _________ na błędy w tabelach, musisz je poprawić.
The speaker is reporting a completed action in the past.
1. Zwracam uwagę na błędy. 2. Ej, patrz jakie byki! 3. Pragnę zwrócić uwagę na błędy.
'Pragnę' is a formal marker, while 'byki' is slang for mistakes.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is the standard neutral-to-polite way to offer correction. It is much more polite than 'wytykać błędy'.
Yes! You can say 'zwrócić uwagę na sukcesy' (to point out successes).
'Zauważyć' is just to notice. 'Zwrócić uwagę' implies a more conscious, directed focus.
Use 'zwracać MI uwagę na błędy'. The 'mi' (to me) is in the dative case.
Constantly. It is the primary phrase used during audits, reviews, and meetings.
Yes, e.g., 'Zwróć uwagę na błędy w konstrukcji tego mostu' (Point out errors in the construction of this bridge).
The opposite is 'zignorować błędy' or 'przeoczyć błędy' (to overlook errors).
In the imperative 'Zwróć uwagę!', it can sound like a command. Use 'Proszę zwrócić uwagę' to be polite.
Only if you are pointing out errors *in* their work. If you point *at* a person, use 'wskazać na osobę'.
Yes, instructions often say 'Zwróć uwagę na błędy w poniższym tekście'.
Related Phrases
wskazać błędy
synonymTo indicate errors
wytykać błędy
similarTo poke/nag about errors
poprawić błędy
builds onTo correct errors
zignorować błędy
contrastTo ignore errors
