• Listen

  What it means

  Literally meaning “thin as a stick,” this expression describes a person who is extremely skinny or underweight. It paints a vivid visual picture — a stick (patyk) has no flesh on it at all, just bare wood. Poles use it when commenting on someone’s appearance, sometimes affectionately and sometimes with concern. You might hear it said of a child who refuses to eat or of someone who has lost a lot of weight.

  Vocabulary

  • chudy — thin, skinny, lean
  • jak — like, as
  • patyk — stick, twig

  Grammar note

  The construction *chudy jak X* is a simile using *jak* (like/as) to compare. *Chudy* is a predicate adjective in the nominative masculine singular. The noun *patyk* after *jak* is also nominative, matching the subject in case.

  Cultural context

  Comparative idioms built on the pattern *adjective + jak + noun* are very common in Polish — others include *biały jak śnieg* (white as snow) and *głupi jak but* (dumb as a shoe). *Chudy jak patyk* is informal and casual; it is not considered rude but should be used with care around people sensitive about their weight.

  Beginner

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!