Word order and swearing in Polish

Is there any difference between:

Kurwa co ty robisz?
Co ty kurwa robisz?
Co ty robisz kurwa?

Are they all possible, and if so is there a difference?

yes


no

But there must be a difference if they are different sentences

Not sure, but I have the feeling this one works best as a sentence.

Looks to me more like 'What the fuck are you doing!', while the others are "What are you doing, you fucker"

the difference is more or less exactly the same as here:

fuck, what are you doing?
what the fuck are you doing?
what are you doing, fuck?

Well, I think fuck in sentence 2 intensifies the 'what' whereas in sentences 1 and 3 it's more like a seperate sentence - "Fuck! What...." and "...doing? Fuck!" Would I be on the right track?

this sentence in the middle is the strongest one i think (and the most grammatically correct) :

co ty kurwa robisz - what the fuck are you doing

the other two are also sometimes heard, but they may come from a guy who use kurwa (or fuck) in every other sentence... like.... fuck, i was at home and found nothing in the fridge, so i went to this fucking shop, met my fucking neighbor, fuck he is weirdo, and bought some food... :D

well...buy maybe some other people would be able to explain it better :D What is the most important these sentences means almost the same thing...

It feels more natural to me too. In English the swear word often gets placed before the stressed syllable / word and I was wondering if it coul dbe the same in Polish.

I think most of the young gentlemen round these parts, say it like this.

Kurwa co ty Kurwa robisz, Kurwa?

Just a daff question from someone learning polish. Why is there two "you's in that sentence? ty and robisz?

You can say Co Robisz or co ty robisz.
It was explained to me that there is no real reason except rhythm but i am sure someone more knowledgeable than myself can explain it better.

Generally "second you" - "ty" shows surprise / annoyment / sometimes happiness. "Co robisz" is just a regular question, shows that you are interested in someone's actions, you may ask that for no particular reason ("what are you doing tonight?", "whassup").

"Co Ty robisz" often indicates emotional nuance. That's something a husband could say to his wife on his early return from business trip :D

From grammatical point both sentences are correct and acceptable.

And "kurwa" can be put almost anywhere in the sentence and will work fine there.

SeanBM FTW! That's pretty much the way 12 year olds talk now most of the time in Poland.
I'm old enough that kids talking that way is just .... sad.

The tragedy is that Poland used to have a complex and powerful system of swearing and it was possible to actually shock people with original and creative combinations.

But unimaginative overuse of a few words (kurwa, jebany, pierdolic, chuj etc) have degraded the process and robbed the words of any real power. Now they just sound cheap and ugly, rather like Soviet made shoes.

Thanks Sean


Thanks also for a great explanation:)

Can any of the milder forms be inserted?

I've only really noticed kurna being used as a stand-alone word.

kurcze, kurka, kurde

or "cholera" - damn

From all the people I've met this is the only one I've heard.

Actually thinking about it I have heard "kurcze"

I have also heard "Ja pierdikam" and realised it wasn't bad. Kinda like "Bloody hell" I guess.

My question was about using those milder words in a sentence like the one at the start of this thread. Would it sound natural? As far as I can tell, they probably wouldn't, but then maybe I only ever talk to coarse individuals.

It would :) It wouldn't be natural only if you were raging angry, you do not use mild replacements then of course.

Well now you mention it, it could also be emphasis ie "What are you doing"? Rather than someone else"

Hmm, I wouldn't dare to say the first and the last one to a female. :o) "Kurwa, co ty robisz?!" may sound like you call her a whore, unless you really press it: Kuuurwa! Co ty robisz?! :D


It's the same in every language, I suppose. Even English, which is really poor when it comes to swearing, could still use "fancy swearings" like: "Glorious piece of a heavenly shit!" But most people have no creativity these days, they are just sad and blatant...

No.

"Kurwo, to ty robisz" - yes, that's exactly it, calling a girl a whore.


Fuck, what you're doing?
What the fuck are you doing?
What are you doing for fuck sake?

Not at all, the sentence would have to start with "Kurwo" / "Ty kurwo"...

On paper, yes.
In real life, specially when yelled/ said strongly you'll get slapped before the ending registers. The first and third especially.
I'd suggest just omitting using kurwa/kurwo when directing it at a girl altogether. Do holery (sp?) is almost as strong... far less slap-friendly.

And yes, I know many a Polish female who'll slap first, contemplate endings later... eventually perchance apologize.

On paper AND in real life.

Kurwa and kurwo - two different things (well, in this case)

Głupia kurwa - a stupid whore
Głupia kurwo - you stupid whore

It seems that you might know Polish females who barely speak Polish but read extensive passages written by divine marquis...


Oh crap, you may be pretty damn right, pardon my French :D

what a nice topic. you can insult women and they still think that youre discussing the linguistic issues.

just kidding. całuje rączki pieknych pań ;)

ROTFL :)))

całuję rączki pięknych pań

Kurwa means nothing just like yyy or aaa or exclamation mark or comma and native speaker can feel the difference.