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  What it means

  Literally “to give to thinking,” this idiom means to give someone something to think about — to prompt reflection, raise doubts, or provide food for thought. It describes a remark, event, or piece of information that causes a person to pause and reconsider their views. Poles use it when something has made them think more deeply about a subject, or when they want to describe an idea as thought-provoking.

  Vocabulary

  • dać — to give (perfective infinitive)
  • do — to, for (preposition taking genitive)
  • myślenia — thinking (genitive of 'myślenie')
  • myślenie — thinking, thought (verbal noun)

  Grammar note

  The preposition 'do' takes the genitive case, so 'myślenie' (thinking) becomes 'myślenia.' The verb 'dać' (to give) is perfective, emphasizing the completed act of prompting thought. The phrase can be used with an indirect object: 'To mi dało do myślenia' ('That gave me food for thought'), where 'mi' is the dative of 'ja' (I).

  Cultural context

  This is a neutral, versatile expression used in both formal and informal speech and writing. It is often found in journalism and commentary ('Ten raport powinien dać do myślenia' — 'This report should give us food for thought'). The English equivalent is 'to give food for thought' or 'to make one think.' It carries no negative connotation — just an invitation to reflect.

  Intermediate

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