• Listen

  What it means

  Literally “with a light hand,” this adverbial phrase means to do something effortlessly, carelessly, or without hesitation — especially when spending money or giving things away. It is most commonly used to criticise someone who spends recklessly or makes decisions too easily without considering the consequences. You might say someone lekką ręką wydaje pieniądze (throws money around with a light hand) or lekką ręką podejmuje decyzje (makes decisions off the cuff).

  Vocabulary

  • lekką — light (instrumental feminine singular of lekki)
  • lekki — light, easy, effortless
  • ręką — hand (instrumental singular of ręka)
  • ręka — hand

  Grammar note

  Both words are in the instrumental case, which in Polish is used for manner and means — describing how an action is done. The adjective lekki becomes lekką and the noun ręka becomes ręką in the feminine instrumental singular. This case is essential for adverbial phrases of manner in Polish.

  Cultural context

  The phrase is neutral in register and widely used in everyday speech, journalism, and literature. It most often carries a slightly negative or ironic tone when describing financial recklessness. The English equivalents include 'off the top of one's head,' 'without a second thought,' or 'throwing money around.'

  Intermediate

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!