kumać
to get it, to understand (slang)
Intermediate Verb
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Pronunciation
/ˈkumat͡ɕ/
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Cultural Note
'Kumać' is classic Polish slang for 'to understand' — rawer and more street than 'rozumieć.' It comes from Romani/Gypsy language ('kumav' = I understand), which influenced Polish slang heavily through prison and street jargon. 'Kumasz?' (do you get it?) is interchangeable with 'czaisz?' but feels slightly older/more established. It's been in use since at least the 1970s. While textbooks teach 'rozumieć,' in real casual conversation Poles reach for 'kumać' or 'czaić' just as often.
📝 Example Sentences
Kumasz, o co chodzi?
Do you get what's going on?
Nie kumam matmy, pomożesz mi?
I don't get math, can you help me?