Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA |
|---|---|
| dawaj! | |
| dalej! | |
| jedziesz! | |
| masz to! | /ˈmaʂ ˈtɔ/ (word by word) |
These expressions are used to provide encouragement. dawaj! is used to tell someone to start an action or perform a task immediately, similar to "Let's go!" dalej! is used to encourage someone who is already in the middle of an action to continue. jedziesz! is used figuratively to mean "you've got this!" or "you're on a roll!", and masz to! is another way to express similar encouragement.
What does it mean word for word?
dawaj! literally means "give!", while dalej! literally means "further!" or "onwards!" The form jedziesz! literally translates to "you are driving!" or "you are riding!"
Which one should you use?
dawaj! is used to prompt someone to begin an action immediately, whereas dalej! is used to encourage someone to keep going with an action they have already started.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
All these forms are informal and should be used with friends, peers or in high-energy sports contexts rather than in formal settings.
Did you know?
- While jedziesz! literally means 'you are driving!', it is used in Polish to cheer on anyone performing a task, even if they are standing perfectly still.
- Despite being used for high-energy encouragement, dawaj! can be spoken with a slow, dragging tone to express sarcasm or reluctance.
- The word to in masz to! descends from the Proto-Indo-European root *só, linking it to an ancient lineage of demonstratives across many European languages.
Examples in context
- Dalej!Come on!This example shows the use of dalej! to provide encouragement.Tatoeba #5700114 by CarloLardini, translation #24697 by CK
- Tak, dawaj! Nie możemy się spóźnić.Yes, come on! We can't be late.
- Dobra, rusz się!Okay, come on!
- No dalej! Nie przestanę!Come on! I won't stop!
- Dawaj! Jeszcze jeden bieg!Come on! One more run!
- Dawaj! Możesz to zrobić!Come on! You can do it!
Example conversation
Małgorzata is cheering for Krzysztof during a race.
- MałgorzataDawaj, Krzysztof! Jeszcze trochę!Come on, Krzysztof! A little more!
- KrzysztofJuż nie mam siły.I have no strength left.
- MałgorzataDawaj! Widzę już metę!Come on! I can see the finish line!
- KrzysztofDobrze, spróbuję!Okay, I will try!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “come on” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (masz, to) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries masz, to, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
