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  What it means

  Literally “at one’s own request” or “by one’s own wish,” this phrase indicates that something — usually an unpleasant outcome — has happened as a direct result of a person’s own choices or demands. It implies that the person has no one to blame but themselves. It can be used sympathetically or with a note of irony, depending on tone.

  Vocabulary

  • na — at / by (preposition + accusative)
  • własne — one's own (accusative neuter of własny)
  • życzenie — wish / request (accusative of życzenie)

  Grammar note

  The preposition 'na' here takes the accusative case: 'własne życzenie' (accusative neuter). The phrase functions as an adverbial expressing the manner or cause of an action — 'he left na własne życzenie' means he left of his own accord, not because he was fired. 'Własny' agrees in case, number, and gender with 'życzenie' (neuter singular).

  Cultural context

  This phrase appears in formal administrative language (resignation letters, official documents stating someone left voluntarily) as well as in everyday speech. In casual use it often carries a hint of 'you brought this on yourself' — a gentle or pointed reminder that the outcome was the person's own doing. Equivalent to English 'by their own choice' or 'they asked for it.'

  Intermediate

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