Uciąć komara
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What it means
Literally “to cut a mosquito.” This is one of Poland’s most popular slang terms for taking a short nap. It describes a quick sleep, often unexpected or taken during the day to recharge. The origin is slightly mysterious, but it might relate to the “buzzing” sound of snoring being “cut short.”
Vocabulary
- uciąć — to cut / chop off
- komar — mosquito
- drzemka — a nap
Grammar note
The verb 'uciąć' is perfective, implying a specific, completed act of falling asleep. 'Komara' is in the accusative case as the direct object.
Cultural context
You'll hear this constantly among friends and family. It’s a very lighthearted way to say "I'm going to sleep for 20 minutes."
Intermediate
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