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  What it means

  Literally “the whole time” or “all the time,” this phrase is used to express continuity or constant repetition of an action. It functions like the English “all the time,” “constantly,” or “the whole time.” Poles use it to describe something that happens without interruption or very frequently, and it can convey mild frustration or simply describe an ongoing state. For example, “On cały czas się spóźnia” means “He’s always late.”

  Vocabulary

  • cały — whole, entire, all
  • czas — time
  • cały czas — all the time, constantly, the whole time

  Grammar note

  The phrase uses the accusative case: 'cały czas' (masculine accusative), matching the expected case after expressions of duration. It functions as an adverbial phrase and is invariable in normal use — you don't change its form based on context.

  Cultural context

  This is one of the most common phrases in everyday Polish speech, used in both formal and informal contexts. It's completely neutral in register. Its closest English equivalent is 'all the time' or 'constantly.' You'll hear it constantly in spoken Polish conversations.

  Beginner

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