Significado
A lot of money earned hard.
Contexto cultural
In Poland, discussing money was traditionally taboo, but using 'ciężkie pieniądze' makes it more acceptable because it highlights the work involved rather than just the wealth. In the mining region of Silesia, this phrase is taken very literally. Miners' wages are the ultimate 'ciężkie pieniądze' due to the extreme physical danger of the job. Poles working abroad (e.g., in the UK or Germany) often use this phrase to describe the money they send home, emphasizing the sacrifice of being away from family. In the Polish startup scene, 'ciężkie pieniądze' is often used to describe Venture Capital funding, implying the 'weight' of responsibility that comes with it.
Use it with 'zarabiać'
The most natural way to use this is with the verb 'zarabiać' (to earn). It immediately signals you understand Polish work culture.
Plural only!
Never say 'ciężki pieniądz' unless you are talking about a physical 2kg coin.
Significado
A lot of money earned hard.
Use it with 'zarabiać'
The most natural way to use this is with the verb 'zarabiać' (to earn). It immediately signals you understand Polish work culture.
Plural only!
Never say 'ciężki pieniądz' unless you are talking about a physical 2kg coin.
Respect the grind
Using this phrase about someone else's wealth is a compliment to their work ethic.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Mój wujek pracował na budowie i zarobił ________ pieniądze.
The correct idiom is 'ciężkie pieniądze.'
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in context?
Select the correct usage:
'Ciężkie pieniądze' implies earning through work, not winning or finding.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Ten nowy telefon jest bardzo drogi! B: Wiem, kosztował mnie ________.
The plural form 'ciężkie pieniądze' is the standard idiomatic expression.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosMój wujek pracował na budowie i zarobił ________ pieniądze.
The correct idiom is 'ciężkie pieniądze.'
Select the correct usage:
'Ciężkie pieniądze' implies earning through work, not winning or finding.
A: Ten nowy telefon jest bardzo drogi! B: Wiem, kosztował mnie ________.
The plural form 'ciężkie pieniądze' is the standard idiomatic expression.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it's not rude. It's informal but respectful of the effort involved in earning money.
No, it always implies a large, significant sum.
Use 'łatwe pieniądze' or 'łatwa kasa'.
In informal business meetings or 'coffee talk,' yes. In a formal presentation, use 'znaczne fundusze'.
'Ciężkie' emphasizes the effort; 'gruba' emphasizes the volume/amount.
Technically no, because you didn't work for it. Use 'wielka wygrana' instead.
Yes, it is universally understood and used across all regions of Poland.
Yes, it's very common in SMS and social media.
Only if you are complaining about a high price you had to pay. Otherwise, it's neutral or positive.
The accusative case (biernik), which for 'ciężkie pieniądze' looks the same as the nominative.
Frases relacionadas
Gruba kasa
synonymA lot of money (thick cash).
Łatwe pieniądze
contrastEasy money.
Krwawica
similarMoney earned with extreme toil.
Pieniądze nie śmierdzą
builds onMoney doesn't smell.
