Significado
To have influence or good relations with superiors.
Contexto cultural
During the communist era, 'mieć chody' was a survival skill. Because shops were empty, you needed 'chody' with the shopkeeper to buy basic items like toilet paper or meat. While meritocracy is growing, 'networking' is often still viewed through the lens of 'chody.' Some see it as unfair, while others see it as essential 'social capital.' Public healthcare queues are notoriously long. Many Poles use 'chody' (knowing a doctor or nurse) to get an appointment sooner, a practice often called 'leczenie po znajomości.' Students often joke about who has 'chody' with the most difficult professors. It's a common way to bond over the perceived unfairness of exams.
Use 'u' + Genitive
Always remember to say WHO you have pull with using 'u'. Example: 'u dyrektora', 'u pani Basi'.
Don't overdo it
Using this phrase too much can make you sound cynical or like you don't believe in hard work.
Significado
To have influence or good relations with superiors.
Use 'u' + Genitive
Always remember to say WHO you have pull with using 'u'. Example: 'u dyrektora', 'u pani Basi'.
Don't overdo it
Using this phrase too much can make you sound cynical or like you don't believe in hard work.
The 'Plecy' Alternative
If you want to sound even more like a native, use 'mieć plecy' when talking about someone protecting you from trouble.
The PRL context
If you talk to older Poles, they will have many stories about 'chody' during the communist times. It's a great conversation starter.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Nie martw się o pozwolenie, mój wujek ma ______ w urzędzie.
The idiom always uses the plural 'chody' in the Accusative (which looks like Nominative here).
Which sentence is the most natural way to say someone has pull with the boss?
Jak powiesz, że Marek jest faworytem szefa?
Option 'a' uses the correct plural form and the correct preposition 'u'.
Match the Polish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all related to the concept of social influence in Poland.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Jak on dostał tę pracę bez doświadczenia? B: To proste, jego ojciec ______ w zarządzie.
The verb used with 'chody' is always 'mieć' (to have).
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Chody vs. Plecy
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosNie martw się o pozwolenie, mój wujek ma ______ w urzędzie.
The idiom always uses the plural 'chody' in the Accusative (which looks like Nominative here).
Jak powiesz, że Marek jest faworytem szefa?
Option 'a' uses the correct plural form and the correct preposition 'u'.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
These are all related to the concept of social influence in Poland.
A: Jak on dostał tę pracę bez doświadczenia? B: To proste, jego ojciec ______ w zarządzie.
The verb used with 'chody' is always 'mieć' (to have).
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasIt's not rude, but it is informal and can be critical. It implies that the system isn't perfectly fair.
No! It suggests you rely on favors rather than skills. Use 'mam szeroką sieć kontaktów' (I have a wide network) instead.
'Znajomości' is neutral (acquaintances), while 'chody' implies those acquaintances give you a specific advantage or power.
Yes, in this idiomatic sense, it is always 'chody.'
Yes, you can say 'mam chody w tej firmie.'
Usually no. It implies friendship, family ties, or mutual favors, not necessarily illegal money exchange.
There isn't a direct idiom, but you could say 'być nikim' (to be nobody) or 'nie mieć żadnych dojść.'
Yes, though they might use 'wtyki' or 'dojścia' more often in slang, 'chody' is still very common.
Yes! It's a humorous way to say someone is very lucky.
Mam, masz, ma, mamy, macie, mają.
Yes, especially in contemporary Polish literature and crime novels.
Yes, in technical contexts, it can mean the 'gears' or 'movements' of a machine.
Frases relacionadas
mieć plecy
synonymTo have someone powerful backing you up.
mieć wtyki
synonymTo have 'plugs' or informants inside an organization.
mieć dojścia
similarTo have access to restricted resources or people.
załatwić po znajomości
builds onTo get something done through connections.
protekcja
formal equivalentPatronage or protection.
