mam nadzieję
The English phrase "I hope" is expressed in Polish as mam nadzieję.
mam nadzieję is used to express a desire for something to happen or to be true. In common informal settings, you might hear the phrase Mam nadzieję, że się uda to mean "I hope it works out".
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "I have hope". The word mam means "I have" and nadzieję is the accusative form of nadzieja, which means "hope".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use mam nadzieję to introduce a full clause (for example, "I hope that…"), you must use the conjunction że (that) immediately after the phrase. The phrase is almost always followed by że when introducing a clause. Additionally, while the English "I hope" uses the pronoun "I", the Polish pronoun ja can be omitted in this phrase.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly try to use the verb nadziejać się to express this sentiment. However, mam nadzieję is the standard and natural way to say it.
Did you know?
- Polish has a distinct way of expressing 'hopelessness' using the word beznadziejny. While it means 'hopeless', it is frequently used as a slang adjective to describe something of very poor quality, like a 'hopeless' movie or a 'hopeless' day.
- While mam nadzieję is standard, Polish speakers often use the phrase oby to express a wish or hope. Unlike mam nadzieję, oby is a particle that triggers a specific mood in the following verb, often removing the need for a subject entirely.
- In very formal or poetic Polish, you might encounter the expression pokładać nadzieję, which literally means 'to lay hope'. This is used when placing hope in a specific person or a higher power, rather than just a general outcome.
Examples in context
- Mam nadzieję, że nie.I hope not.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase mam nadzieję in a negative context.Tatoeba #357571 by zipangu, translation #51119 by CK
- Mam nadzieję, że się mylę.I hope I'm wrong.This sentence shows how to use the phrase to express a hope about being wrong.Tatoeba #4400860 by nusia2302, translation #2006528 by Spamster
- Mam nadzieję, że tam będę.I hope to be there.This sentence demonstrates using the phrase to express a hope about being in a certain place.Tatoeba #10668154 by igxr, translation #3819997 by CK
- Mam nadzieję, że pogoda będzie piękna jutro.I hope the weather will be beautiful tomorrow.
- Oby spełniły się twoje marzenia!I hope your dreams come true!
- Mam nadzieję, że spotkamy się niedługo.I hope we'll meet soon.
- Mam nadzieję, że wszystko dobrze się skończy.I hope everything turns out well.
- 187 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Katarzyna and Piotr are talking about the weather before a walk.
- KatarzynaMam nadzieję, że będzie dzisiaj słonecznie.I hope it will be sunny today.
- PiotrTeż mam nadzieję, bo chcę iść do parku.I hope so too, because I want to go to the park.
- KatarzynaPiotrze, czy masz przy sobie parasol?Piotr, do you have an umbrella with you?
- PiotrNie, ale mam nadzieję, że nie będzie padać.No, but I hope it won't rain.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
