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  What it means

  This is the direct Polish translation of the English proverb “no news is good news.” It expresses the idea that if nothing has been reported about a situation, it probably means everything is fine — because bad events tend to generate urgent communication. Poles use it to reassure themselves or others when they haven’t heard back and are beginning to worry. It is often said with a slightly ironic or hopeful tone.

  Vocabulary

  • brak — lack, absence (nominative masculine noun)
  • wiadomość — news, message, information
  • wiadomości — genitive singular of 'wiadomość' (here: 'lack of news')
  • dobra — good (feminine adjective agreeing with 'wiadomość')

  Grammar note

  'Brak wiadomości' is a subject noun phrase where 'brak' (lack) governs the genitive 'wiadomości.' The sentence has a zero-copula structure: 'Brak wiadomości [jest] dobrą wiadomością' — the 'jest' (is) is dropped, as is typical in Polish proverbs and slogans. 'Dobra wiadomość' is nominative, used as a predicate.

  Cultural context

  This saying is widely understood in Poland, though it is recognized as a calque from English or an international proverb rather than a native Polish folk saying. It appears in casual conversation, often in contexts of waiting for test results, job offers, or news from traveling relatives. The tone is usually gently reassuring.

  Beginner

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