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  What it means

  Literally “to give one’s word,” this idiom means to make a solemn promise or pledge. It implies a personal commitment of honour: when a Pole gives their word, it is expected to be kept. The perfective form ‘dać słowo’ describes the completed act of promising, while ‘dawać słowo’ (imperfective) refers to the process or habitual action. It is used in both formal and personal contexts.

  Vocabulary

  • dawać — to give (imperfective infinitive)
  • dać — to give (perfective infinitive — used for the completed promise)
  • słowo — word; here: pledge, promise
  • daję słowo — I give you my word / I promise
  • słowo honoru — word of honour (stronger, more formal version)

  Grammar note

  Polish aspect is central here: 'dawać słowo' (imperfective) describes an ongoing or repeated action, while 'dać słowo' (perfective) describes a single completed act of promising. 'Słowo' is in the accusative case as the direct object of 'dać/dawać.' The phrase 'daję słowo' is a fixed first-person declaration and functions almost like an oath — compare 'obiecuję' (I promise) which is slightly more casual.

  Cultural context

  Giving one's word carries genuine social weight in Polish culture. The stronger variant 'słowo honoru' (word of honour) was historically used in noble and military contexts and still carries a formal, serious ring. In modern everyday speech, 'daję słowo' is used sincerely but also sometimes casually to add emphasis, similar to 'I swear' in English.

  Beginner

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