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  What it means

  Literally “to give a sign,” this is the imperfective counterpart of ‘dać znać’ and means to keep someone informed or to regularly let someone know about developments. While ‘dać znać’ describes a single act of contact, ‘dawać znać’ implies a recurring habit or an ongoing process of communicating. It is used when someone is expected to send updates over a period of time.

  Vocabulary

  • dawać — to give (imperfective, habitual)
  • znać — a sign; here used as a fixed nominal element
  • dawaj znać — keep me posted, keep letting me know (imperative)

  Grammar note

  The key grammatical distinction here is verbal aspect. 'Dawać' is imperfective, so 'dawać znać' describes repeated or habitual action. Compare: 'Daj znać, kiedy przyjedziesz' (Let me know when you arrive — one time) vs. 'Dawaj znać o postępach' (Keep me updated on progress — ongoing).

  Cultural context

  Like its perfective twin 'dać znać,' this phrase is universal in Polish communication. 'Dawaj znać!' is a common parting phrase between friends and colleagues, equivalent to 'keep in touch' or 'keep me posted.'

  Beginner

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