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  What it means

  Literally “without delay.” The phrase means immediately, right away — used to convey a sense of urgency that something must be done without wasting a single moment. For example: “Proszę zgłosić się do nas bez zwłoki” (Please contact us without delay). Unlike the casual “od razu” (right away), “bez zwłoki” carries a formal or authoritative tone, common in legal documents, official notices, and written instructions. It can also be used ironically in everyday speech to gently mock bureaucratic language.

  Vocabulary

  • bez — without (preposition governing genitive)
  • zwłoka — delay, procrastination, postponement
  • zwłoki — (genitive singular of zwłoka) — required after "bez"
  • od razu — right away, immediately (colloquial equivalent)
  • niezwłocznie — without delay, promptly (formal adverb synonym)

  Grammar note

  "Bez" always takes the genitive case. "Zwłoka" is a feminine noun; its genitive singular is "zwłoki." Note that "zwłoki" has a homonym — the genitive plural of "zwłoki" (corpse/remains) is spelled identically but has an entirely different meaning. In the phrase "bez zwłoki" the context (delay, not a body) is always clear. The phrase functions as an adverbial of manner.

  Cultural context

  "Bez zwłoki" sits firmly in the formal written register — you will see it in legal contracts, official letters, bureaucratic notices, and newspaper headlines. In everyday speech Poles prefer "od razu" or "natychmiast" (immediately). Using "bez zwłoki" in casual conversation gives a mock-official, slightly humorous flavour, which is sometimes exploited for comic effect.

  Beginner

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