• Listen

  What it means

  Literally “even if I don’t know what” — but it functions as a fixed expression meaning “no matter what,” “come what may,” or “whatever happens.” It emphasizes absolute determination or inevitability: something will happen (or won’t happen) regardless of any obstacle or circumstance. Poles use it to stress that a decision is final and no argument will change it.

  Vocabulary

  • choćby — even if, even though (concessive conjunction)
  • nie wiem — I don't know
  • co — what

  Grammar note

  'Choćby' is a concessive conjunction built from 'choć' (although/even if) + the conditional particle 'by,' making it 'even if.' The phrase 'nie wiem co' is grammatically a clause but functions here as an indefinite intensifier — 'whatever that might be.' The whole expression is frozen and used invariably as an adverbial intensifier.

  Cultural context

  This is a colloquial but emphatic expression heard in everyday Polish speech. It often appears in arguments or declarations of stubborn intent: 'Zrobię to, choćby nie wiem co' (I'll do it no matter what). The hyperbolic vagueness ('I don't even know what') is what gives it emotional weight.

  Intermediate

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!