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  What it means

  Literally, “to lay pressure.” Figuratively, “kłaść nacisk na coś” means to emphasize something, to insist on its importance, or to push for it. It is slightly stronger than “kłaść akcent” — it can imply not just highlighting something but actively pressing for it: “Rząd kładzie nacisk na reformy” (The government is pressing for reforms).

  Vocabulary

  • kłaść — to lay, to put (imperfective verb; perfective: położyć)
  • nacisk — pressure, emphasis, stress (masculine noun; from 'nacisnąć' = to press)
  • na coś — on something (preposition 'na' + accusative)
  • kłaść nacisk na jakość — to emphasize quality (example of the phrase in use)

  Grammar note

  Like 'kłaść akcent,' this uses the imperfective 'kłaść' for habitual or ongoing emphasis and the perfective 'położyć nacisk' for a single, completed act. 'Na coś' takes the accusative: 'kłaść nacisk na bezpieczeństwo' (to stress safety). The noun 'nacisk' can also appear in the phrase 'wywierać nacisk' (to exert pressure), which is closer to English 'to put pressure on someone.'

  Cultural context

  Neutral to formal register, very common in written Polish — journalism, academic writing, and official statements. Equivalent to English 'to stress,' 'to emphasize,' or 'to place weight on.' In formal speeches, 'chciałbym położyć nacisk na…' (I would like to emphasize…) is a standard opening for an important point.

  Intermediate

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