Significado
Mocking someone.
Contexto cultural
The 'nose' is a symbol of pride. Idioms like 'zadzierać nosa' (to be arrogant) and 'grać na nosie' show that the nose is where social status is 'worn' on the face. During the 1980s, the Solidarity movement often 'grała na nosie' to the communist government through underground press and satirical art. Children often use the physical gesture (thumb to nose) while saying 'nie złapiesz mnie!' (you won't catch me). Journalists use this phrase to describe 'political slaps in the face' or clever maneuvers that embarrass opponents.
Use Dative!
Always remember the person you are mocking must be in the Dative case (mi, ci, mu, jej, nam, wam, im).
Not for Bosses
Even though it's a common idiom, it's too disrespectful for a formal workplace hierarchy.
Significado
Mocking someone.
Use Dative!
Always remember the person you are mocking must be in the Dative case (mi, ci, mu, jej, nam, wam, im).
Not for Bosses
Even though it's a common idiom, it's too disrespectful for a formal workplace hierarchy.
Perfective vs Imperfective
Use 'zagrać' for a specific win, and 'grać' for a continuous habit of defiance.
The Underdog Spirit
Poles love an underdog who 'gra na nosie' to a giant. Use it to sound more like a native when cheering for the little guy.
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the person (Dative) and the verb 'grać'.
Mój brat zawsze ______ (ja - Dative) na nosie, kiedy mama nie patrzy.
We use 'gra' for the 3rd person singular (brat) and 'mi' as the Dative of 'ja'.
Which sentence correctly uses the idiom to show a completed action of defiance?
How do you say 'They thumbed their nose at the rules'?
Perfective 'zagrali' + 'na nosie' + Dative 'zasadom'.
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
Situation: A small startup becomes more successful than a huge corporation that tried to buy them.
'Gra na nosie' implies the triumph of the startup over the giant.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosMój brat zawsze ______ (ja - Dative) na nosie, kiedy mama nie patrzy.
We use 'gra' for the 3rd person singular (brat) and 'mi' as the Dative of 'ja'.
How do you say 'They thumbed their nose at the rules'?
Perfective 'zagrali' + 'na nosie' + Dative 'zasadom'.
Situation: A small startup becomes more successful than a huge corporation that tried to buy them.
'Gra na nosie' implies the triumph of the startup over the giant.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt is informal and provocative, but not inherently 'bad language'. It's more like 'cheeky' or 'defiant'.
Yes, in a playful way, but be careful if they are strict!
It's similar, but 'grać na nosie' usually implies you've actually achieved something to prove them wrong, whereas trolling can just be annoying.
Because the nose is a symbol of pride and the center of the face; attacking it is a direct insult to someone's dignity.
The verb changes (grają), but 'na nosie' stays singular unless you are literally talking about multiple noses (rare).
No, you must use the dative 'grać mi na nosie'.
Only informally, to describe outsmarting a competitor.
To thumb one's nose at someone.
Yes, it's very common to say a cat or dog is 'gra na nosie' to its owner.
Not at all, it's used daily in news and social media.
Frases relacionadas
Mieć w nosie
similarTo not care about something.
Zadzierać nosa
contrastTo be arrogant/stuck up.
Robić na przekór
similarTo do something just to spite someone.
Wodzić za nos
similarTo lead someone by the nose / deceive someone.
