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  What it means

  Literally “to walk around someone’s head,” this idiom means that a thought, idea, or memory keeps circling through your mind and won’t go away. It describes the experience of being unable to stop thinking about something — a catchy tune, a nagging problem, or an unresolved question. Poles use it naturally in conversation: “Ten pomysł chodzi mi po głowie” means “That idea keeps running through my mind.” It captures the involuntary, persistent quality of a recurring thought.

  Vocabulary

  • chodzić — to walk, to go (imperfective)
  • głowa — head
  • po — around, along (+ locative)
  • głowie — head (locative of głowa)

  Grammar note

  The person whose mind is occupied appears in the dative case: 'chodzi mi po głowie' (it walks around my head), 'chodzi jej po głowie' (it's on her mind). The verb chodzić is imperfective, reinforcing the ongoing, repetitive nature of the thought.

  Cultural context

  This is a neutral, everyday phrase used across all registers and age groups. It has a close English parallel in 'to be on one's mind' or 'to keep running through one's head.' It is never vulgar or rude.

  Beginner

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