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być pod ręką

posts: 8

LeonisThreads: 30 Posts: 60 Joined: Aug 15, 09 ♀	Nov 15, 11, 12:15 #1
Hello! I would like to ask about the usage of this phrase. Can we use it for human, or only for non living things? Can we use it with mieć, in a possessive context? For example: Mam przyjaciół zawsze pod reka? - or it doesn't make sense? Thanks a lot for any help!

LeonisThreads: 30 Posts: 60 Joined: Aug 15, 09 ♀	Nov 15, 11, 13:03 #2
Hey please help I need only a short answer! O.o

KoalaThreads: 1 Posts: 433 Joined: May 4, 11 ♂	Nov 15, 11, 13:10 #3
It can be used for people, your example would mean something like "my friends are always there for me". However, it sometimes might sound weird, eg. "szef ma podwładnych pod ręką" seems OK, but "podwładni mają szefa pod ręką" is rather strange and it'd be better to say something like "szef jest zawsze dostępny dla swoich pracowników" or similar.

LeonisThreads: 30 Posts: 60 Joined: Aug 15, 09 ♀	Nov 15, 11, 13:33 #4
Thanks a lot for your explanation! :D

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 760 Joined: Apr 18, 07 ♂	Nov 15, 11, 16:42 #5
Leonis: Mam przyjaciół zawsze pod reka? - or it doesn't make sense? sounds a bit you exploit them :) If you are the boss or you pay salary you can say like this.

♀

Nov 15, 11, 21:47 #6

Leonis:

I would like to ask about the usage of this phrase. Can we use it for human, or only for non living things? Can we use it with mieć, in a possessive context? For example: Mam przyjaciół zawsze pod reka? - or it doesn't make sense?

It does make sense, however, it sounds a bit instrumental, like you were using your friends.
There's another one: być na wyciągnięcie ręki - moi przyjaciele zawsze są na wyciągnięcie ręki - they're always there for you, no hiidn meaning there, sounds much better.

redvodThreads: 1 Posts: 6 Joined: Nov 15, 11 ♂	Nov 15, 11, 23:55 #7
My favorite is: "po woli" = "after will"

pamThreads: 22 Posts: 463 Joined: Oct 11, 11 MEMBER ♀	Nov 16, 11, 00:36 #8
my polish is far from great and havent across phrase before. literal translation into english, it means to be under hand. in english being underhand means being secretive, doing something behind someones back for example. judging from other posts, its not the same in polish...but then nothing is lol!!

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