Bez ogródek
Listen
What it means
Literally “without little gardens.” Means bluntly, without mincing words — saying exactly what you think with no diplomatic softening.
Vocabulary
- ogródek — little garden (diminutive of ogród)
Grammar note
'Ogródek' is the genitive plural of 'ogródek' after 'bez.' The 'little gardens' are a metaphor for the roundabout paths of polite speech — going straight through instead of wandering the garden paths.
Cultural context
Often paired with 'mówić bez ogródek' (to speak without mincing words). A close synonym of 'bez owijania w bawełnę.'
Beginner
Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!
More Polish idioms
- Literally "one's whole life flew past before the eyes," this phrase describes the vivid, involuntary …
- Literally "for an example," na przykład is the standard Polish phrase for "for example" or "for …
- Literally "in the last/recent times," ostatnimi czasy is a common temporal phrase meaning "lately," …
- Literally "in the manner of Judas," this adverb describes acting in a treacherous, backstabbing way …