wiesz

Wiesz is a form of the Polish verb wiedzieć, meaning “to know.” Specifically, wiesz is the second-person singular present tense, corresponding to “you know.” In everyday usage it functions both as a factual statement and as a discourse marker, often preceding information or inviting agreement.

In practice, wiesz appears frequently in spoken Polish. It can introduce new information, frame a question, or serve as a way to engage the listener. Examples include “Wiesz, mam problem” (You know, I have a problem) and “Wiesz, co się stało?” (Do you know what happened?). When used at the beginning of a sentence, it commonly signals a shift in topic or emphasis, and intonation helps convey nuance such as reassurance, curiosity, or concern.

Grammar and related forms: The full present-tense conjugation of wiedzieć is ja wiem, ty wiesz, on/ona wie, my wiemy, wy wiecie, oni wiedzą. The verb is irregular and stems from wied- with standard Polish endings. Related words include wiedza (knowledge) and wiedzieć as the infinitive form. The root wied- is shared across related forms and compounds in Polish.

Etymology: Wiesz derives from the Proto-Slavic verb *věděti “to know,” itself from the Proto-Indo-European root *weid- “to know.” The noun wiedza (knowledge) likewise comes from the same root, illustrating the close semantic relationship within the family of Polish words for knowledge and knowing.