• Listen

  What it means

  Literally “thick skin,” this idiom means exactly what its English counterpart does — the emotional resilience to endure criticism, insults, or harsh conditions without being hurt. Someone with gruba skóra is tough, not easily offended, and able to let negative words or situations roll off them. It can be used as a compliment (admirable resilience) or neutrally to describe someone who simply does not react.

  Vocabulary

  • gruba — thick, fat (feminine adjective agreeing with *skóra*)
  • skóra — skin (feminine noun)
  • mieć grubą skórę — to have thick skin (accusative: *grubą skórę*)

  Grammar note

  *Gruba skóra* is in the nominative when used as a subject. In other positions the adjective and noun change case: *mieć grubą skórę* (accusative). The related adjective *gruboskórny* ('thick-skinned') is also common. The antonym *cienka skóra* ('thin skin') describes someone who is oversensitive.

  Cultural context

  A neutral-to-positive expression used freely in everyday Polish, matching the English idiom 'thick skin' almost exactly in meaning, usage, and register. People working in public-facing roles — politicians, customer service workers, artists — are often described as needing *grubą skórę*. There is no strong cultural specificity beyond the shared metaphor, which makes it very easy to learn and use.

  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!