• Listen

  What it means

  Literally “on the quick” — a colloquial adverbial phrase meaning hastily, quickly, without much care or attention to quality. It describes doing something in a rush, cutting corners, or knocking something together in a hurry. For example: “Zrobiłem to na chybcika, bo nie miałem czasu” (I did it hastily because I didn’t have time) or “Zjadłam obiad na chybcika przed wyjściem” (I ate lunch on the run before going out). It implies the task was completed quickly but not necessarily well.

  Vocabulary

  • chybki — quick, swift (archaic/dialectal adjective, rarely used alone today)
  • chybcika — (genitive of the diminutive chybcik) — used only in this fixed phrase
  • na chybcika — hastily, quickly, in a rush, slap-dash
  • na szybko — quickly (the more common modern equivalent)

  Grammar note

  "Na chybcika" is a frozen adverbial phrase built from the preposition "na" + a genitive form of the diminutive noun "chybcik" (itself derived from the archaic adjective "chybki"). The diminutive suffix "-cik" adds a colloquial, slightly self-deprecating tone — suggesting not just speed but a certain carelessness. The phrase is invariable; you cannot decline or modify it further.

  Cultural context

  The expression is distinctly colloquial and informal — you would use it in conversation with friends or family, not in a formal report. It has a slightly affectionate, self-deprecating quality that "na szybko" (the neutral modern equivalent) lacks. It can imply mild guilt about not doing something properly, or simply cheerful pragmatism about getting things done under time pressure. Regional variation is minimal — it is understood nationwide.

  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!