head

dobrymi chęciami jest piekło wybrukowane

/dɔˈbrɘ.mi xɛɲˈt͡ɕa.mi ˈjɛst ˈpjɛ.kwɔ vɘ.bru.kɔˈva.nɛ/

Literally, “hell is paved with good intentions”.

lit

dobrymi chęciami piekło jest wybrukowane#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of dobrymi chęciami piekło jest wybrukowane


wilk syty i owca cała

i wilk jest syty, i owca cała
i wilk jest syty, i owca cała#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of i wilk jest syty, i owca cała


mądry Polak po szkodzie

Literally, “[a] Pole [is] wise [only] after the damage [is done]”. Known as early as the 16th century, when the proverb was referenced in a poem by Jan Kochanowski.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 Pole 􂀿is􂁀 wise 􂀿only􂁀 after the damage 􂀿is done􂁀


nadgorliwość jest gorsza od faszyzmu

/nad.ɡɔrˈli.vɔɕt͡ɕ ˈjɛst ˈɡɔr.ʂa ɔt faˈʂɘz.mu/

Literally, “overzealousness is worse than fascism”.

Przepraszamy państwa za ten osobisty ton, ale przejęliśmy się losem Roberta Wijasa, szefa Polskiego Radia, którego bezceremonialnie wylano z roboty. Morał banalny, ale jakże, zwłaszcza w kontekście Farfała, aktualny: nadgorliwość jest gorsza od faszyzmu.

2009, Igor Zalewski, Robert Mazurek, “Z życia koalicji”, in Wprost:

We apologize for this direct tone, but we cared about Robert's Wijas's fate, as in the boss of Radio Poland, who was so unceremoniously fired. A banal, but valid, moral, especially in the conext of Farfał, don't overdo it.

— A niech cię — rzucił ze złością Taran. — Nadgorliwość jest gorsza od faszyzmu...

2013, Andriej Diakow, Za horyzont, Insignis, →ISBN, page 109:

"Damn you," Taran threw it in anger. "Don't overdo it.

(idiomatic) busybodies and overcommiters cause far more problems than slackers


cudze chwalicie, swego nie znacie

head

cudze chwalicie, swego nie znacie(, sami nie wiecie, co posiadacie)

/ˈt͡su.d͡zɛ xfaˈli.t͡ɕɛ | ˈsfɛ.ɡɔ ɲɛ ˈzna.t͡ɕɛ/

Originated in the poem Wieś by Stanisław Jachowicz (1796–1857).

(idiomatic) one should know and value their own culture's or nation's achievements, instead of diminishing them


przyganiał kocioł garnkowi

Literally, “[the] cauldron was scorning [the] pot”. Ellipsis of przyganiał kocioł garnkowi, a sam smoli.

ellipsis

the pot is calling the kettle black
pot calling the kettle black

(idiomatic) the pot is calling the kettle black (situation in which somebody comments on or accuses someone else of a fault which the accuser shares)


kto sieje wiatr, zbiera burzę

/ˈktɔ ˈɕɛ.jɛ ˈvjatr | ˈzbjɛ.ra ˈbu.ʐɛw̃/

Literally, “who sows the wind, reaps a storm”.

lit

sow the wind, reap the whirlwind
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind

(idiomatic) sow the wind, reap the whirlwind


jak sobie pościelesz, tak się wyśpisz

/ˈjak ˈsɔ.bjɛ pɔɕˈt͡ɕɛ.lɛʂ | ˈtak ɕɛ ˈvɘ.ɕpiʂ/

/ˈjak ˈsɔ.bjɛ pɔɕˈt͡ɕɛ.lɛʂ | ˈtak ɕɛw̃ ˈvɘ.ɕpiʂ/

Literally, “you will sleep like you have made your bed”.

lit

as you sow, so shall you reap
as you sow, so shall you reap

(idiomatic) as you make your bed, so you must lie in it; as you sow, so shall you reap; success depends on foresight and preparation


head

gdzie kucharek sześć, tam nie ma co jeść

/ˈɡd͡ʑɛ kuˈxa.rɛk ˈʂɛɕt͡ɕ | ˈtam ˈɲɛ ma ˈt͡sɔ ˈjɛɕt͡ɕ/

Literally, “where there are six (female) cooks, there is nothing to eat”.

lit

too many cooks spoil the broth
too many cooks spoil the broth

(idiomatic) too many cooks spoil the broth


kuć żelazo, póki gorące

strike while the iron is hot
strike while the iron is hot

(idiomatic) strike while the iron is hot (usually in the imperative)


jedna jaskółka wiosny nie czyni

/ˈjɛd.na jasˈkuw.ka ˈvjɔs.nɘ ɲɛ ˈt͡ʂɘ.ɲi/

Literally, “one swallow does not a spring make”.

one swallow does not a summer make
one swallow does not a summer make

(idiomatic) one swallow does not a summer make


pan na zagrodzie równy wojewodzie

/ˈpan na zaˈɡrɔ.d͡ʑɛ ˈruv.nɘ vɔ.jɛˈvɔ.d͡ʑɛ/

Rhyme, literally, “[a] nobleman at [his] croft is equal to [a] voivode”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 nobleman at 􂀿his􂁀 croft is equal to 􂀿a􂁀 voivode

lit

szlachcic na zagrodzie równy wojewodzie#Polish

(derogatory, historical, idiomatic) Alternative form of szlachcic na zagrodzie równy wojewodzie


nie wszystko złoto, co się świeci

/ɲɛ ˈfʂɘst.kɔ ˈzwɔ.tɔ | ˈt͡sɔ ɕɛ ˈɕfjɛ.t͡ɕi/

/ɲɛ ˈfʂɘst.kɔ ˈzwɔ.tɔ | ˈt͡sɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈɕfjɛ.t͡ɕi/

all that glitters is not gold
all that glitters is not gold

(idiomatic) all that glitters is not gold


head

jeśli wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one

/ˈjɛ.ɕli ˈvɛj.d͡ʑɛʂ ˈmjɛn.d͡zɘ ˈvrɔ.nɘ | ˈmu.ɕiʂ ˈkra.kat͡ɕ ˈjak i ˈɔ.nɛ/

Literally, “when you go among the crows, you must caw like them”.

lit

when in Rome, do as the Romans do
when in Rome, do as the Romans do

(idiomatic) when in Rome, do as the Romans do

jeżeli wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one

kiedy wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one

skoro wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one


konia kują, żaba nogę podstawia

/ˈkɔ.ɲa ˈku.jɔw̃ | ˈʐa.ba ˈnɔ.ɡɛ pɔtˈsta.vja/

/ˈkɔ.ɲa ˈku.jɔm | ˈʐa.ba ˈnɔ.ɡɛ pɔtˈsta.vja/

/ˈkɔ.ɲa ˈku.jɔw̃ | ˈʐa.ba ˈnɔ.ɡɛw̃ pɔtˈsta.vja/

/ˈkɔ.ɲa ˈku.jɔm | ˈʐa.ba ˈnɔ.ɡɛw̃ pɔtˈsta.vja/

Literally, “horse is shod, frog extends a leg”.

(idiomatic) of a situation whereby a person pretends to participate in accomplishing an important task, which is in fact done by others


cel uświęca środki

the end justifies the means
the end justifies the means


chytry dwa razy traci

buy cheap, buy twice
buy cheap, buy twice

(idiomatic) buy cheap, buy twice (being very stingy does not lead to the highest gains in the long run)


head

co wolno wojewodzie, to nie tobie, smrodzie

/ˈt͡sɔ ˈvɔl.nɔ vɔ.jɛˈvɔ.d͡ʑɛ | ˈtɔ ɲɛ ˈtɔ.bjɛ | ˈsmrɔ.d͡ʑɛ/

Rhyme, literally, “what is allowed to the voivode isn't to you, you bum”, or more loosely translated as “what the voivode is allowed to do, you, you bum, are not”. Compare Latin quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi.

lit

- Rodzice oczekują od dzieci bezwzględnego posłuszeństwa, podczas gdy sami zachowują się źle - zauważa psycholog Anna Czerwińska. - A gdy czasem dzieci zwrócą im uwagę, to zwykle słyszą: „co wolno wojewodzie, to nie tobie smrodzie”. Jest coś groteskowego w zachowaniu rodzica wrzeszczącego na dziecko, żeby przestało wrzeszczeć, lub bijącego dziecko, aby przestał bić i kopać brata.

2001, Barbara Pajchert, Nie krzycz na mnie, tato:

"Parents expect unquestioning obedience from their children, whereas they themselves act poorly - psychologist Anna Czerwińska notes. - And sometimes when their children point this out to them, they usually hear in response "what I can do, you can't". There's something grotesque in the parent's behaviour by yelling at the child to stop yelling, or by hitting a child to stop them from hitting and kicking their brother.

Ty mi tu nie pyskuj! Co wolno wojewodzie to nie tobie, smrodzie. Jajo mędrsze od kury.

2013, Małgorzata Chaładus, Fantazja, →ISBN, page 166:

Don't you bark at me! What I can you, you can't. Think's he's smarter than me.

(derogatory, idiomatic) a person in position of authority is allowed to get away with more


diabeł tkwi w szczegółach

devil is in the details
devil is in the details


wszystko dobre, co się dobrze kończy

/ˈfʂɘst.kɔ ˈdɔ.brɛ | ˈt͡sɔ ɕɛ ˈdɔ.bʐɛ ˈkɔɲ.t͡ʂɘ/

/ˈfʂɘst.kɔ ˈdɔ.brɛ | ˈt͡sɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈdɔ.bʐɛ ˈkɔɲ.t͡ʂɘ/

Calque of English all's well that ends well. from William Shakespeare's play of the sane name.

cal

all's well that ends well
all's well that ends well


head

lepszy wróbel w garści niż gołąb na dachu

/ˈlɛp.ʂɘ ˈvru.bɛl v ˈɡar.ɕt͡ɕi ˈɲiʂ ˈɡɔ.wɔmp na ˈda.xu/

Literally, “a sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon/dove on the roof”.

lit

jak się nie ma, co się lubi, to się lubi, co się ma

lepszy wróbel w ręku niż cietrzew na sęku

lepszy wróbel w garści niż kanarek na dachu

(idiomatic) a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (sure thing is preferable to the mere chance at something more)


nosił wilk razy kilka, ponieśli i wilka

/ˈnɔ.ɕiw ˈvilk ˈra.zɘ ˈkil.ka | pɔˈɲɛ.ɕli i ˈvil.ka/

Rhyme, literally, “[the] wolf carried a few times, [and eventually the] wolf got carried too”, a reference to the wolf stealing sheep or other livestock to eat a few times before it was killed and carried as a trophy by hunters.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 wolf carried a few times, 􂀿and eventually the􂁀 wolf got carried too

lit

(idiomatic) one can get away with bad behaviour only a few times before it is noticed and punished


kropla drąży kamień

Literally, “[a] drop [of water] bores through stone”.

lit

kropla drąży skałę
kropla drąży skałę#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of kropla drąży skałę


kropla drąży skałę

Literally, “[a] drop [of water] bores through rock”. Calque of Latin gutta cavat lapidem.

lit

slow and steady wins the race
slow and steady wins the race

(idiomatic) slow and steady wins the race (if you persevere in doing something long enough, the desired effect will eventually be achieved)


co nagle, to po diable

Rhyme, literally, “what [is done] suddenly, that [is done] the devil's [way]”. The part po diable is an archaic grammatical form.

m-g

what 􂀿is done􂁀 suddenly, that 􂀿is done􂁀 the devil's 􂀿way􂁀

lit

more haste, less speed
more haste, less speed

(idiomatic) haste makes waste; more haste, less speed; slow and steady wins the race


orła wrona nie pokona

Rhyme, literally "a crow won't beat an eagle". A reference to Military Council of National Salvation, a military junta that ruled during the period of martial law in Poland, the initialism of which (WRON) was very similar to wrona (“crow”), and the Polish coat of arms, a white eagle.

(historical, idiomatic) anti-communist resistance will not be defeated by repressions and martial law


widziały gały, co brały

Literally, “[the] eyes saw what [they] were taking”.

lit

Proszę sobie wyobrazić: idzie pan do salonu Mercedesa. To firma godna zaufania. Kupuje pan samochód i jedzie pan do domu. Oczywiście podpisał pan umowę. Nagle się okazuje, że w tym samochodzie znajduje się silnik trabanta. Powie pan: „Widziały gały, co brały”?

2015, Adam Leszczyński, Cezary Kaźmierczak, “Banki są bezpieczne. A ty?”, in Gazeta Wyborcza:

Please imagine, you're going to a Mercedes dealership. This is a trustworthy company. You buy a car and you go home. Of course, you signed the agreement. Suddenly, it turns out that in this car there is a trabant's engine. You'd say: "you made this bed, now lie in it"?

(colloquial, idiomatic) people should not complain if their bad decision resulted in an outcome they do not like


nie od razu Rzym zbudowano

Literally, “Rome was not built all at once”.

Rome wasn't built in a day
Rome wasn't built in a day

(idiomatic) Rome wasn't built in a day (it takes a long time to create something complicated or impressive)


uderz w stół, a nożyce się odezwą

/ˈu.dɛʂ f ˈstuw | a nɔˈʐɘ.t͡sɛ ɕɛ ɔˈdɛ.zvɔw̃/

/ˈu.dɛʂ f ˈstuw | a nɔˈʐɘ.t͡sɛ ɕɛ ɔˈdɛ.zvɔm/

/ˈu.dɛʂ f ˈstuw | a nɔˈʐɘ.t͡sɛ ɕɛw̃ ɔˈdɛ.zvɔw̃/

/ˈu.dɛʂ f ˈstuw | a nɔˈʐɘ.t͡sɛ ɕɛw̃ ɔˈdɛ.zvɔm/

Literally, “hit [the] table and [the] scissors will speak up”. Originates from tables with drawers used by tailors. Hitting the table would cause the scissors to make a sound even if they were put away in the drawers, thereby making it easy to locate them.

m-g

hit 􂀿the􂁀 table and 􂀿the􂁀 scissors will speak up

lit

a hit dog will holler
a hit dog will holler

(idiomatic) a hit dog will holler (if someone loudly complains about a statement, it is because the statement applies to them)


kto rano wstaje, temu Pan Bóg daje

/ˈktɔ ˈra.nɔ ˈfsta.jɛ | ˈtɛ.mu ˈpan ˈbuk ˈda.jɛ/

Rhyme, literally, “to whom wakes up early, the Lord provides”. Compare Russian кто ра́но встаёт, тому́ бог подаёт (kto ráno vstajót, tomú bog podajót).

cog

кто ра́но встаёт, тому́ бог подаёт

the early bird gets the worm
the early bird gets the worm

(idiomatic) early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise, the early bird gets the worm


o gustach się nie dyskutuje

A translation of Latin de gustibus non est disputandum.

there's no accounting for taste
there's no accounting for taste

(idiomatic) there's no accounting for taste


head

czego oczy nie widzą, tego sercu nie żal

/ˈt͡ʂɛ.ɡɔ ˈɔ.t͡ʂɘ ɲɛ ˈvi.d͡zɔw̃ | ˈtɛ.ɡɔ ˈsɛr.t͡su ɲɛ ˈʐal/

/ˈt͡ʂɛ.ɡɔ ˈɔ.t͡ʂɘ ɲɛ ˈvi.d͡zɔm | ˈtɛ.ɡɔ ˈsɛr.t͡su ɲɛ ˈʐal/

Literally, “what the eyes do not see, the heart does not regret.”

lit

what you don't know can't hurt you
what you don't know can't hurt you

(idiomatic) what you don't know can't hurt you (people are not negatively affected by unpleasant facts if they do not know them)


head

jeśli nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze

/ˈjɛ.ɕli ɲɛ vjaˈdɔ.mɔ | ɔ ˈt͡sɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi | ˈtɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi ɔ pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/

Literally, “if you have no idea what something is about, then it is about the money”.

lit

(idiomatic) if a person or organization acts in a puzzling manner, they probably have a hidden financial motivation


apetyt rośnie w miarę jedzenia

/aˈpɛ.tɘt ˈrɔɕ.ɲɛ v ˈmja.rɛw̃ jɛˈd͡zɛ.ɲa/

Literally, “appetite grows while [one is] eating”. Calque of French l’appétit vient en mangeant.

cal

appetite comes with eating
appetite comes with eating

(idiomatic) appetite comes with eating (once you start, you don't want to stop)


okazja czyni złodzieja

opportunity makes a thief
opportunity makes a thief

(idiomatic) opportunity makes a thief (most theft happens when it requires little effort, e.g. when valuables are left unattended in plain sight)


head

darowanemu koniowi nie zagląda się w zęby

/da.rɔ.vaˈnɛ.mu kɔˈɲɔ.vi ɲɛ zaˈɡlɔn.da ɕɛ v ˈzɛm.bɘ/

/da.rɔ.vaˈnɛ.mu kɔˈɲɔ.vi ɲɛ zaˈɡlɔn.da ɕɛw̃ v ˈzɛm.bɘ/

Literally, “one should not look a gift horse in the teeth”.

lit

darowanemu koniowi w zęby się nie zagląda#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of darowanemu koniowi w zęby się nie zagląda


pańskie oko konia tuczy

Literally, “the eye of the master makes the horse fat”.

lit

(idiomatic) a business is more successful when supervised by its owner


psy szczekają, karawana idzie dalej

/ˈpsɘ ʂt͡ʂɛˈka.jɔw̃ | ka.raˈva.na ˈi.d͡ʑɛ ˈda.lɛj/

/ˈpsɘ ʂt͡ʂɛˈka.jɔm | ka.raˈva.na ˈi.d͡ʑɛ ˈda.lɛj/

the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on
the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on

(idiomatic) the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on


psy szczekają, karawana jedzie dalej

/ˈpsɘ ʂt͡ʂɛˈka.jɔw̃ | ka.raˈva.na ˈjɛ.d͡ʑɛ ˈda.lɛj/

/ˈpsɘ ʂt͡ʂɛˈka.jɔm | ka.raˈva.na ˈjɛ.d͡ʑɛ ˈda.lɛj/


head

krowa, która dużo ryczy, mało mleka daje

/ˈkrɔ.va | ˈktu.ra ˈdu.ʐɔ ˈrɘ.t͡ʂɘ | ˈma.wɔ ˈmlɛ.ka ˈda.jɛ/

Literally, “a cow that moos a lot gives little milk”.

lit

all talk and no action
all talk and no action

(idiomatic) all talk and no action (people who talk the most often do not actually do much)


lepsze jest wrogiem dobrego

Literally, “better is the enemy of good”. Common European proverb, popularized by Voltaire.

perfect is the enemy of good
perfect is the enemy of good

(idiomatic) perfect is the enemy of good


raz na wozie, raz pod wozem

Literally, “once on the wagon, once under the wagon”.

lit

what goes up must come down
what goes up must come down

take the bitter with the sweet
take the bitter with the sweet

you win some, you lose some
you win some, you lose some

(idiomatic) what goes up must come down, take the bitter with the sweet, you win some, you lose some


head

prawdziwych przyjaciół poznaje się w biedzie

/pravˈd͡ʑi.vɘx pʂɘˈja.t͡ɕuw pɔzˈna.jɛ ɕɛ v ˈbjɛ.d͡ʑɛ/

/pravˈd͡ʑi.vɘx pʂɘˈja.t͡ɕuw pɔzˈna.jɛ ɕɛw̃ v ˈbjɛ.d͡ʑɛ/

Literally, “true friends are met in poverty”.

lit

a friend in need is a friend indeed
a friend in need is a friend indeed

(idiomatic) a friend in need is a friend indeed


w winie prawda

in wine, there is truth
in wine, there is truth


w nocy wszystkie koty są czarne

/v ˈnɔ.t͡sɘ ˈfʂɘs.tkjɛ ˈkɔ.tɘ sɔw̃ ˈt͡ʂar.nɛ/

/v ˈnɔ.t͡sɘ ˈfʂɘs.tkjɛ ˈkɔ.tɘ sɔm ˈt͡ʂar.nɛ/

Literally, “at night, all cats are black”.

all cats are grey in the dark
all cats are grey in the dark

(idiomatic) all cats are grey in the dark


mowa jest srebrem, a milczenie złotem

/ˈmɔ.va ˈjɛst ˈsrɛ.brɛm | a milˈt͡ʂɛ.ɲɛ ˈzwɔ.tɛm/

Literally, “speech is silver, and silence is golden”.

lit

speech is silver, silence is golden
speech is silver, silence is golden

(idiomatic) speech is silver, silence is golden


nie szata zdobi człowieka

Literally, “not clothes decorate [the] man”.

clothes don't make the man
clothes don't make the man

(idiomatic) clothes don't make the man (one cannot accurately judge a person solely by appearances)

nie szata zdobi człowieka, lecz człowiek szatę


zobaczyć Neapol i umrzeć

(idiomatic) see Naples and die (nothing compares to the beauty of Naples, so you can die after you've seen it)


niedaleko pada jabłko od jabłoni

/ɲɛ.daˈlɛ.kɔ ˈpa.da ˈjab.wkɔ ɔd jaˈbwɔ.ɲi/

Literally, “the apple falls not far from the tree”.

(idiomatic) the apple does not fall far from the tree (child grows up to be similar to its parents, both in behavior and in physical characteristics)


cicha woda brzegi rwie

Literally, “still water rips the banks”.

still waters run deep
still waters run deep


chcieć to móc

/ˈxt͡ɕɛt͡ɕ ˈtɔ ˈmut͡s/

where there's a will, there's a way
where there's a will, there's a way

(idiomatic) where there's a will, there's a way


oko za oko, ząb za ząb

Literally, “[an] eye for [an] eye, [a] tooth for [a] tooth”.

m-g

􂀿an􂁀 eye for 􂀿an􂁀 eye, 􂀿a􂁀 tooth for 􂀿a􂁀 tooth

lit

eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth

(idiomatic) eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth


jaki ojciec, taki syn

like father, like son
like father, like son


w kraju ślepców jednooki jest królem

/f ˈkra.ju ˈɕlɛp.t͡suf jɛd.nɔˈɔ.ki ˈjɛst ˈkru.lɛm/

Literally, “in the land of the blind, the one-eyed is king”.

lit

(idiomatic) in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king


szukajcie, a znajdziecie

seek and ye shall find
seek and ye shall find


nic nowego pod słońcem

there is nothing new under the sun
there is nothing new under the sun

(idiomatic) there is nothing new under the sun


nie rozdrapuj starych ran

let sleeping dogs lie
let sleeping dogs lie

(idiomatic) let sleeping dogs lie (literally: don't open old wounds)


bez pracy nie ma kołaczy

Rhyme, literally, “no work, no kalaches”. Compare Czech bez práce nejsou koláče.


nie chwal dnia przed zachodem słońca

/ˈɲɛ xfal ˈdɲa pʂɛd zaˈxɔ.dɛm ˈswɔɲ.t͡sa/

Literally, “don't praise the day before sunset”.

(idiomatic) don't count your chickens before they're hatched


nie dziel skóry na niedźwiedziu

Literally, “don't divide the pelt of the bear [not yet killed]”.

m-g

don't divide the pelt of the bear 􂀿not yet killed􂁀


każdy jest kowalem swojego losu

/ˈkaʐ.dɘ ˈjɛst kɔˈva.lɛm sfɔˈjɛ.ɡɔ ˈlɔ.su/

Literally, “everyone is the smith of their own fate”.

lit

każdy jest kowalem własnego losu
każdy jest kowalem własnego losu#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of każdy jest kowalem własnego losu


czas leczy rany

time heals all wounds
time heals all wounds


ufaj, ale sprawdzaj

(idiomatic) trust, but verify, trust is not enough; verification is required


tonący brzytwy się chwyta

Literally, “a drowning man grabs a razor”.

(idiomatic) desperate times call for desperate measures


wszędzie dobrze, ale w domu najlepiej

/ˈfʂɛɲ.d͡ʑɛ ˈdɔ.bʐɛ | ˈa.lɛ v ˈdɔ.mu najˈlɛ.pjɛj/

Literally, “everywhere, it is good, but it is best at home”.

lit

there's no place like home
there's no place like home

wszędzie jest dobrze, ale w domu najlepiej


wszystkie drogi prowadzą do Rzymu

/ˈfʂɘs.tkjɛ ˈdrɔ.ɡi prɔˈva.d͡zɔw̃ dɔ ˈʐɘ.mu/

/ˈfʂɘs.tkjɛ ˈdrɔ.ɡi prɔˈva.d͡zɔm dɔ ˈʐɘ.mu/

all roads lead to Rome
all roads lead to Rome

(idiomatic) all roads lead to Rome (different paths can take one to the same goal)


head

kiedy wejdziesz między wrony, trzeba krakać jak i ony

/ˈkjɛ.dɘ ˈvɛj.d͡ʑɛʂ ˈmjɛn.d͡zɘ ˈvrɔ.nɘ | ˈtʂɛ.ba ˈkra.kat͡ɕ ˈjak i ˈɔ.nɘ/

Literally, “when you join the crows, you have to caw like they do”. A rhyming phrase.

lit

when in Rome, do as the Romans do
when in Rome, do as the Romans do

(idiomatic) when in Rome, do as the Romans do


dla chcącego nic trudnego

Rhyme, literally, “there's nothing difficult for the willing”.

lit

where there is a will there is a way
where there is a will there is a way

(idiomatic) where there is a will there is a way


ręka rękę myje

Literally, “[the] hand washes [the other] hand”. Calque of Latin manus manum lavat by Seneca the Younger.

(idiomatic) a group of people supports each other in dishonest dealings; (roughly) you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours


człowiek człowiekowi wilkiem

Literally, “man is a wolf to man”. Calque of Latin homō hominī lupus est.

man is a wolf to man
man is a wolf to man


co ma wisieć, nie utonie

/ˈt͡sɔ ˈma ˈvi.ɕɛt͡ɕ | ɲɛ uˈtɔ.ɲɛ/

(idiomatic) if you're born to be hanged, then you'll never be drowned


łaska pańska na pstrym koniu jeździ

/ˈwas.ka ˈpaɲ.ska na ˈpstrɘm ˈkɔ.ɲu ˈjɛʑ.d͡ʑi/

great men's favours are uncertain
great men's favours are uncertain

(idiomatic) great men's favours are uncertain


dzieci i ryby głosu nie mają

/ˈd͡ʑɛ.t͡ɕi i ˈrɘ.bɘ ˈɡwɔ.su ɲɛ ˈma.jɔw̃/

/ˈd͡ʑɛ.t͡ɕi i ˈrɘ.bɘ ˈɡwɔ.su ɲɛ ˈma.jɔm/

Literally, “children and fish have no voice”.

children should be seen and not heard
children should be seen and not heard

(idiomatic) children should be seen and not heard


kto nie ryzykuje, ten nie pije szampana

/ˈktɔ ɲɛ rɘ.zɘˈku.jɛ | ˈtɛn ɲɛ ˈpi.jɛ ʂamˈpa.na/

Literally, “that who does not risk does not get to drink champagne”. Calque of Russian кто не риску́ет, тот не пьёт шампа́нского (kto ne riskújet, tot ne pʹjot šampánskovo).

cal

nothing ventured, nothing gained
nothing ventured, nothing gained

(idiomatic) nothing ventured, nothing gained (discomfort is necessary to achieve goals)


z pustego i Salomon nie naleje

Literally, “even Salomon won't pour [something] from an empty [cup]”.

m-g

even Salomon won't pour 􂀿something􂁀 from an empty 􂀿cup􂁀

lit

(idiomatic) one needs the proper tools in order to complete a task


grosz do grosza, a będzie kokosza

/ˈɡrɔʂ dɔ ˈɡrɔ.ʂa | a ˈbɛɲ.d͡ʑɛ kɔˈkɔ.ʂa/

Rhyme, literally, “one grosz at a time and there will be a hen”.

lit

little strokes fell great oaks
little strokes fell great oaks

many a mickle makes a muckle
many a mickle makes a muckle

mighty oaks from little acorns grow
mighty oaks from little acorns grow

ziarnko do ziarnka, a zbierze się miarka

(idiomatic) every little helps, little strokes fell great oaks, many a mickle makes a muckle, mighty oaks from little acorns grow, take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves


head

kiedy wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one

/ˈkjɛ.dɘ ˈvɛj.d͡ʑɛʂ ˈmjɛn.d͡zɘ ˈvrɔ.nɘ | ˈmu.ɕiʂ ˈkra.kat͡ɕ ˈjak i ˈɔ.nɛ/

Literally, “when you go among the crows, you must caw like them”.

lit

jeśli wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of jeśli wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one


fortuna kołem się toczy

A reference to the Latin idiom Rota Fortunae.

what goes up must come down
what goes up must come down

(idiomatic) what goes up must come down (everybody experiences some successes and some failures)


nie od razu Kraków zbudowano

Literally, “Kraków was not built all at once”.

Rome wasn't built in a day
Rome wasn't built in a day

(idiomatic) Rome wasn't built in a day (it takes a long time to create something complicated or impressive)


od przybytku głowa nie boli

(idiomatic) plenty is no plague, store is no sore, one can never have too much


mądrej głowie dość dwie słowie

/ˈmɔn.drɛj ˈɡwɔ.vjɛ ˈdɔɕt͡ɕ ˈdvjɛ ˈswɔ.vjɛ/

Literally, “to a wise head two words are sufficient”.

lit

a word is enough to the wise
a word is enough to the wise

a word to the wise is sufficient
a word to the wise is sufficient

kto ma olej w głowie, temu dość po słowie

(idiomatic) a word is enough to the wise, a word to the wise is sufficient


natura ciągnie wilka do lasu

Literally, “nature draws [the] wolf to [the] forest”.

lit

a leopard cannot change its spots
a leopard cannot change its spots

(idiomatic) the wolf may lose his teeth but never his nature, a leopard cannot change its spots


na bezrybiu i rak ryba

Literally, “when there are no fish, even a crayfish is a fish”. Compare Russian на безры́бье и рак ры́ба (na bezrýbʹje i rak rýba).

cog

на безры́бье и рак ры́ба

beggars can't be choosers
beggars can't be choosers

(idiomatic) beggars can't be choosers, if we can't as we would, we must do as we can


pierwsze koty za płoty

Literally, “first cats [are thrown] over the fences”. Probably from the fact that the first cats from a litter used to be cast away as they were considered weaker and only the strong ones were kept.

lit

the first pancake is always spoiled
the first pancake is always spoiled

the first step is always the hardest
the first step is always the hardest

(idiomatic) the first pancake is always spoiled, the first step is always the hardest


kruk krukowi oka nie wykole

Literally, “one raven does not peck the other's eye out”. Compare Russian ворон ворону глаз не выклюет (voron voronu glaz ne vykljujet).

cog

ворон ворону глаз не выклюет

(idiomatic) people with shared interest are not likely to do harm to each other


baba z wozu, koniom lżej

Literally, “the grandma's out of the cart, the horses have it easier (now)”.

lit

good riddance to bad rubbish
good riddance to bad rubbish

(idiomatic) good riddance to bad rubbish, good riddance


lekarzu, lecz się sam

Biblical. Calque of Latin medice, cūrā tē ipsum from Luke 4:23.

physician, heal thyself
physician, heal thyself


przezorny zawsze ubezpieczony

Literally, “provident is always protected”. A colloquialized slogan of PZU, a Polish state insurance agency.

forewarned is forearmed
forewarned is forearmed


head

Polak, Węgier – dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki

Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative spelling of Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki


Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki

Literally, “[a] Pole and [a] Hungarian, two brothers”. Compare Hungarian lengyel, magyar – két jó barát.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 Pole and 􂀿a􂁀 Hungarian, two brothers

noncog

(idiomatic) Alternative form of Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki


head

Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki

/ˈpɔ.lak | ˈvɛŋ.ɡjɛr | ˈdva braˈtaŋ.ki | i dɔ ˈʂa.bli | i dɔ ˈʂklaŋ.ki/

Rhyme, literally, “[a] Pole and [a] Hungarian, two brothers, good for saber and for [a] glass”. Compare Hungarian lengyel, magyar – két jó barát, együtt harcol, s issza borát.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 Pole and 􂀿a􂁀 Hungarian, two brothers, good for saber and for 􂀿a􂁀 glass

noncog

(idiomatic) Pole and Hungarian brothers be (expressing traditional kinship, brotherhood, and camaraderie between Poles and Hungarians)


każdy sobie rzepkę skrobie

Literally, “everyone grates their own turnip”; a line spoken by the Councillor's Wife in Act 1 of The Wedding by Stanisław Wyspiański:
: Wyście sobie, a my sobie.
Każden sobie rzepkę skrobie.
:: You unto yourselves, and we unto ourselves.
Everyone grates their own turnip.

lit

Każdy sobie jest kierownikiem. I każdy sobie rzepkę skrobie. Ale się uważamy za rodzinę. Jeden drugiemu pomaga.

1993, Adam Gierak, “Hałdziarze”, in Gazeta Wyborcza:

Everyone's their own manager. And it's every man for himself. But we consider ourselves a family. We help each other.

every man for himself
every man for himself

(idiomatic) it's every man for himself; everyone cares most about their own business

Stanisław Wyspiański
The Wedding (1901 play)


umarł król, niech żyje król

Calque of French le roi est mort, vive le roi.

calque

the king is dead, long live the king
the king is dead, long live the king

(idiomatic) the king is dead, long live the king


Panu Bogu świeczkę i diabłu ogarek

/ˈpa.nu ˈbɔ.ɡu ˈɕfjɛt͡ʂ.kɛ i ˈdja.bwu ɔˈɡa.rɛk/

/ˈpa.nu ˈbɔ.ɡu ˈɕfjɛt͡ʂ.kɛw̃ i ˈdja.bwu ɔˈɡa.rɛk/

Literally, “a candle for the Lord and a candle-stump for the devil”.

lit

(idiomatic) said when someone wants to satisfy two opposing parties for their own interest; run with the hare and hunt with the hounds


do trzech razy sztuka

Literally, “by [the] third time is [the] trick”.

third time's a charm
third time's a charm


nieszczęścia chodzą parami

misfortunes never come singly
misfortunes never come singly

it never rains but it pours
it never rains but it pours

bad things come in threes
bad things come in threes

(idiomatic) misfortunes never come singly, it never rains but it pours, roughly bad things come in threes


śmiałym szczęście sprzyja

/ˈɕmja.wɘm ˈʂt͡ʂɛɲɕ.t͡ɕɛ ˈspʂɘ.ja/

fortune favors the bold
fortune favors the bold


nie miała baba kłopotu

Literally, “[the] lady did not have trouble”.

nie miała baba kłopotu, kupiła sobie prosię#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of nie miała baba kłopotu, kupiła sobie prosię


gdzie diabeł nie może, pośle babę

gdzie diabeł nie może (canonical)
babę pośle (canonical)

/ˈɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdja.bɛw ɲɛ ˈmɔ.ʐɛ | ˈpɔ.ɕlɛ ˈba.bɛ/

/ˈɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdja.bɛw ɲɛ ˈmɔ.ʐɛ | ˈpɔ.ɕlɛ ˈba.bɛw̃/

Literally, “Where the devil can't do it, he'll send a lady”.

lit

gdzie diabeł nie może, tam babę pośle#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of gdzie diabeł nie może, tam babę pośle


gdzie diabeł nie może, tam babę pośle

/ˈɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdja.bɛw ɲɛ ˈmɔ.ʐɛ | ˈtam ˈba.bɛ ˈpɔ.ɕlɛ/

/ˈɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdja.bɛw ɲɛ ˈmɔ.ʐɛ | ˈtam ˈba.bɛw̃ ˈpɔ.ɕlɛ/

Literally, “Where the devil can't [manage], there he'll send a woman”.

m-g

Where the devil can't 􂀿manage􂁀, there he'll send a woman

lit

(idiomatic) because girls are more resourceful than guys, they can solve any problem, girl power!


head

jak się baby nie bije, to jej wątroba gnije

/ˈjak ɕɛ ˈba.bɘ ɲɛ ˈbi.jɛ | ˈtɔ ˈjɛj vɔnˈtrɔ.ba ˈɡɲi.jɛ/

/ˈjak ɕɛw̃ ˈba.bɘ ɲɛ ˈbi.jɛ | ˈtɔ ˈjɛj vɔnˈtrɔ.ba ˈɡɲi.jɛ/

Literally, “if you don't beat a woman, then her liver will rot”, chosen for its rhyming nature.

lit

(idiomatic) men are usually the dominant ones in a marriage, which is why they have to hit their wives into submission (usually used to justify violence against women)


head

nie miała baba kłopotu, kupiła sobie prosię

/ɲɛ ˈmja.wa ˈba.ba kwɔˈpɔ.tu | kuˈpi.wa ˈsɔ.bjɛ ˈprɔ.ɕɛ/

/ɲɛ ˈmja.wa ˈba.ba kwɔˈpɔ.tu | kuˈpi.wa ˈsɔ.bjɛ ˈprɔ.ɕɛw̃/

Literally, “[the] lady did not have trouble, she bought herself [a] piglet”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 lady did not have trouble, she bought herself 􂀿a􂁀 piglet

lit

(idiomatic) used when someone caused problems for themselves: well, you asked for it!


gdyby babcia miała wąsy

Literally, “if a grandma had a moustache”.

gdyby babcia miała wąsy, toby była dziadkiem#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of gdyby babcia miała wąsy, toby była dziadkiem


head

gdyby ciocia miała wąsy, toby był wujaszek

/ˈɡdɘ.bɘ ˈt͡ɕɔ.t͡ɕa ˈmja.wa ˈvɔw̃.sɘ | ˈtɔ.bɘ ˈbɘw vuˈja.ʂɛk/

/ˈɡdɘ.bɘ ˈt͡ɕɔ.t͡ɕa ˈmja.wa ˈvɔn.sɘ | ˈtɔ.bɘ ˈbɘw vuˈja.ʂɛk/

Literally, “if an aunt had a moustache, then she would be an uncle”.


head

gdyby babcia miała wąsy, toby była dziadkiem

/ˈɡdɘ.bɘ ˈbap.t͡ɕa ˈmja.wa ˈvɔw̃.sɘ | ˈtɔ.bɘ ˈbɘ.wa ˈd͡ʑat.kjɛm/

/ˈɡdɘ.bɘ ˈbap.t͡ɕa ˈmja.wa ˈvɔn.sɘ | ˈtɔ.bɘ ˈbɘ.wa ˈd͡ʑat.kjɛm/

Literally, “if a grandma had a moustache, then she would be a grandpa”.

lit

if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle
if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle

(idiomatic) if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle


z braku laku dobry kit

Literally, “if there is no sealing wax, putty is good enough”.

lit

beggars can't be choosers
beggars can't be choosers

(idiomatic) beggars can't be choosers, if we can't as we would, we must do as we can


strzeżonego Pan Bóg strzeże

better safe than sorry
better safe than sorry


head

żeby kózka nie skakała, toby nóżki nie złamała

/ˈʐɛ.bɘ ˈkus.ka ɲɛ skaˈka.wa | ˈtɔ.bɘ ˈnuʂ.ki ɲɛ zwaˈma.wa/

Literally, “if the goat had not been jumping, it would not have broken its leg”.

lit

gdyby kózka nie skakała, toby nóżki nie złamała#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of gdyby kózka nie skakała, toby nóżki nie złamała


head

lepszy wróbel w ręku niż cietrzew na sęku

/ˈlɛp.ʂɘ ˈvru.bɛl v ˈrɛŋ.ku ˈɲiʂ ˈt͡ɕɛ.tʂɛf na ˈsɛŋ.ku/

Literally, “a sparrow in the hand is better than a grouse on the knur”.

lit

jak się nie ma, co się lubi, to się lubi, co się ma

lepszy wróbel w garści niż gołąb na dachu

(idiomatic) a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (sure thing is preferable to the mere chance at something more)


head

darowanemu koniowi w zęby się nie zagląda

/da.rɔ.vaˈnɛ.mu kɔˈɲɔ.vi v ˈzɛm.bɘ ɕɛ ɲɛ zaˈɡlɔn.da/

/da.rɔ.vaˈnɛ.mu kɔˈɲɔ.vi v ˈzɛm.bɘ ɕɛw̃ ɲɛ zaˈɡlɔn.da/

Literally, “one should not look a gift horse in the teeth”.

lit

don't look a gift horse in the mouth
don't look a gift horse in the mouth

(idiomatic) don't look a gift horse in the mouth

darowanemu koniowi nie zagląda się w zęby


head

jak się nie ma, co się lubi, to się lubi, co się ma

/ˈjak ɕɛ ˈɲɛ ma | ˈt͡sɔ ɕɛ ˈlu.bi | ˈtɔ ɕɛ ˈlu.bi | ˈt͡sɔ ɕɛ ˈma/

/ˈjak ɕɛw̃ ˈɲɛ ma | ˈt͡sɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈlu.bi | ˈtɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈlu.bi | ˈt͡sɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈma/

Literally, “if you do not have what you like, you like what you have”.

lit

beggars can't be choosers, if we can't as we would, we must do as we can


historia zatacza koło

history repeats itself
history repeats itself


historia lubi się powtarzać

Literally, “history likes to repeat itself”.


lepszy rydz niż nic

/ˈlɛp.ʂɘ ˈrɘt͡s ˈɲiʂ ˈɲit͡s/

Rhyme, literally, “a saffron milk cap is better than nothing”.


lepszy wróbel w ręku niż sokół na sęku

/ˈlɛp.ʂɘ ˈvru.bɛl v ˈrɛŋ.ku ˈɲiʂ ˈsɔ.kuw na ˈsɛŋ.ku/

Literally, “a sparrow in the hand is better than a falcon on the knur”.

lit

lepszy wróbel w ręku niż cietrzew na sęku#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of lepszy wróbel w ręku niż cietrzew na sęku


head

gdyby kózka nie skakała, toby nóżki nie złamała

/ˈɡdɘ.bɘ ˈkus.ka ɲɛ skaˈka.wa | ˈtɔ.bɘ ˈnuʂ.ki ɲɛ zwaˈma.wa/

lit

Literally, “if the goat had not been jumping, it would not have broken its leg”

as you sow, so shall you reap
as you sow, so shall you reap

sow the wind, reap the whirlwind
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind

play stupid games, win stupid prizes
play stupid games, win stupid prizes

you get what's coming to you
get what's coming to one

fuck around and find out
fuck around and find out

nawarzyłeś piwa, to musisz je teraz wypić

(idiomatic) If it wasn't for one's earlier actions, one wouldn't now face its negative consequences; as you sow, so shall you reap; sow the wind, reap the whirlwind; play stupid games, win stupid prizes; you get what's coming to you; (vulgar) fuck around and find out


head

złej tanecznicy zawadza rąbek u spódnicy

/ˈzwɛj ta.nɛt͡ʂˈɲi.t͡sɘ zaˈva.d͡za ˈrɔm.bɛk u spudˈɲi.t͡sɘ/

Literally, “a bad balerina is caught by the hem of her skirt”.

lit

złej baletnicy przeszkadza rąbek spódnicy#Polish

(idiomatic, usually derogatory) Alternative form of złej baletnicy przeszkadza rąbek spódnicy


head

złej tanecznicy przeszkadza rąbek u spódnicy

/ˈzwɛj ta.nɛt͡ʂˈɲi.t͡sɘ pʂɛˈʂka.d͡za ˈrɔm.bɛk u spudˈɲi.t͡sɘ/

Literally, “a bad dancer is bothered by the hem of her skirt”.


head

złej tanecznicy przeszkadza rąbek spódnicy

/ˈzwɛj ta.nɛt͡ʂˈɲi.t͡sɘ pʂɛˈʂka.d͡za ˈrɔm.bɛk spudˈɲi.t͡sɘ/


złej tanecznicy przeszkadza nawet rąbek u spódnicy

/ˈzwɛj ta.nɛt͡ʂˈɲi.t͡sɘ pʂɛˈʂka.d͡za ˈna.vɛt ˈrɔm.bɛk u spudˈɲi.t͡sɘ/


złej baletnicy przeszkadza nawet rąbek u spódnicy

/ˈzwɛj ba.lɛtˈɲi.t͡sɘ pʂɛˈʂka.d͡za ˈna.vɛt ˈrɔm.bɛk u spudˈɲi.t͡sɘ/

Literally, “a bad balerina is bothered even by the hem of her skirt”.


head

złej baletnicy przeszkadza rąbek spódnicy

/ˈzwɛj ba.lɛtˈɲi.t͡sɘ pʂɛˈʂka.d͡za ˈrɔm.bɛk spudˈɲi.t͡sɘ/

Literally, “a bad ballerina is bothered by the hem of her skirt”.

lit

a bad workman always blames his tools
a bad workman always blames his tools

(idiomatic, usually derogatory) a bad workman always blames his tools

złej baletnicy przeszkadza rąbek u spódnicy

złej baletnicy przeszkadza nawet rąbek spódnicy


head

złej baletnicy przeszkadza nawet rąbek spódnicy

/ˈzwɛj ba.lɛtˈɲi.t͡sɘ pʂɛˈʂka.d͡za ˈna.vɛt ˈrɔm.bɛk spudˈɲi.t͡sɘ/


złej baletnicy przeszkadza rąbek u spódnicy

/ˈzwɛj ba.lɛtˈɲi.t͡sɘ pʂɛˈʂka.d͡za ˈrɔm.bɛk u spudˈɲi.t͡sɘ/

Literally, “a bad balerina is bothered by the hem of her skirt”.


jak Kuba Bogu, tak Bóg Kubie

/ˈjak ˈku.ba ˈbɔ.ɡu | ˈtak ˈbuk ˈku.bjɛ/

Literally, “as Kuba does to God, so does God do to Kuba”.

lit

give as good as one gets
give as good as one gets

what goes around comes around
what goes around comes around

(idiomatic) give as good as one gets, measure for measure, tit for tat, what goes around comes around


nie czyń drugiemu, co tobie niemiłe

/ɲɛ ˈt͡ʂɘɲ druˈɡjɛ.mu | ˈt͡sɔ ˈtɔ.bjɛ ɲɛˈmi.wɛ/

Literally, “do not do to others what you do not like”.


jak trwoga, to do Boga

Literally, “when in trouble, one turns to God”.

(idiomatic) some people are prompted to turn to God during only times of crisis


Nowy Rok przybywa dnia o barani skok

Nowy Rok przybywa dnia na barani skok (canonical)

/ˈnɔ.vɘ ˈrɔk pʂɘˈbɘ.va ˈdɲa ɔ baˈra.ɲi ˈskɔk/

Literally, “the time of longer days comes at a ram's hop for new years”.

lit

na Nowy Rok przybywa dnia na barani skok#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of na Nowy Rok przybywa dnia na barani skok


head

na Nowy Rok przybywa dnia na barani skok

/na ˈnɔ.vɘ ˈrɔk pʂɘˈbɘ.va ˈdɲa na baˈra.ɲi ˈskɔk/

(idiomatic) January marks the beginning of time during the year when the days get longer


kto mieczem wojuje, ten od miecza ginie

/ˈktɔ ˈmjɛ.t͡ʂɛm vɔˈju.jɛ | ˈtɛn ɔd ˈmjɛ.t͡ʂa ˈɡi.ɲɛ/

Literally, “who fights with the sword, dies of the sword”. From Polish translations of Gospel of Matthew 26:52.

lit

live by the sword, die by the sword
live by the sword, die by the sword

(idiomatic) live by the sword, die by the sword (one who uses violence can expect a violent response)


kto mieczem wojuje, od miecza ginie

/ˈktɔ ˈmjɛ.t͡ʂɛm vɔˈju.jɛ | ɔd ˈmjɛ.t͡ʂa ˈɡi.ɲɛ/

kto mieczem wojuje, ten od miecza ginie#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of kto mieczem wojuje, ten od miecza ginie


im dalej w las, tym więcej drzew

/ˈim ˈda.lɛj v ˈlas | ˈtɘm ˈvjɛn.t͡sɛj ˈdʐɛf/

Literally, “the further into the forest, the more trees”. Compare Ukrainian чим дальше в ліс, тим більше дров (čym dalʹše v lis, tym bilʹše drov).

cog

чим дальше в ліс, тим більше дров

(idiomatic) as the days grow longer, the storms are stronger (the more one gets involved in something, the more problem one can encounter)


najciemniej jest pod latarnią

Literally, “it is darkest under the lantern”.

lit

(idiomatic) the darkest place is under the candlestick


head

źdźbło w oku bliźniego widzisz, a belki w swoim nie dostrzegasz

/ˈʑd͡ʑbwɔ v ˈɔ.ku bliʑˈɲɛ.ɡɔ ˈvi.d͡ʑiʂ | a ˈbɛl.ki f ˈsfɔ.im ɲɛ dɔsˈtʂɛ.ɡaʂ/

Literally, “you see a blade of grass in the eye of your fellow man, and not see the beam (of wood) in your own”, from the Bible, Matthew. 7:3-5.

lit

judge not, that ye be not judged
judge not, that ye be not judged

(idiomatic) judge not, that ye be not judged, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones


head

gdzie dwóch się bije, tam trzeci korzysta

/ˈɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdvux ɕɛ ˈbi.jɛ | ˈtam ˈtʂɛ.t͡ɕi kɔˈʐɘs.ta/

/ˈɡd͡ʑɛ ˈdvux ɕɛw̃ ˈbi.jɛ | ˈtam ˈtʂɛ.t͡ɕi kɔˈʐɘs.ta/

Literally, “where two [people] fight, the third one benefits [from it]”.

m-g

where two 􂀿people􂁀 fight, the third one benefits 􂀿from it􂁀

lit

(idiomatic) while two dogs are fighting for bone, a third one runs away with it (when two people are involved in an issue, they might miss that the third party benefits from it)


każdy jest kowalem własnego losu

/ˈkaʐ.dɘ ˈjɛst kɔˈva.lɛm vwasˈnɛ.ɡɔ ˈlɔ.su/

Literally, “everyone is the smith of their own fate”.

lit

(idiomatic) every man is the architect of his own fortune


head

póty dzban wodę nosi, póki się ucho nie urwie

/ˈpu.tɘ ˈd͡zban ˈvɔ.dɛ ˈnɔ.ɕi | ˈpu.ki ɕɛ ˈu.xɔ ɲɛ ˈur.vjɛ/

/ˈpu.tɘ ˈd͡zban ˈvɔ.dɛw̃ ˈnɔ.ɕi | ˈpu.ki ɕɛw̃ ˈu.xɔ ɲɛ ˈur.vjɛ/

Literally, “[the] pitcher carries water until [the] ear is broken”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 pitcher carries water until 􂀿the􂁀 ear is broken

lit

(idiomatic) the jug goes to the well until it breaks, the pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last

dopóty dzban wodę nosi, dopóki mu się ucho nie urwie


z piasku bicza nie ukręcisz

Literally, “you won't spin a whip out of sand”.

(idiomatic) one needs the proper tools in order to complete a task


head

kto ma księdza w rodzie, temu bieda nie dobodzie

/ˈktɔ ˈma ˈkɕɛn.d͡za v ˈrɔ.d͡ʑɛ | ˈtɛ.mu ˈbjɛ.da ɲɛ dɔˈbɔ.d͡ʑɛ/

Rhyme, literally, “he who has a priest in his family will not feel the sting of poverty”.

lit

kto ma księdza w rodzie, tego bieda nie ubodzie#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of kto ma księdza w rodzie, tego bieda nie ubodzie


head

kto ma księdza w rodzie, tego bieda nie ubodzie

/ˈktɔ ˈma ˈkɕɛn.d͡za v ˈrɔ.d͡ʑɛ | ˈtɛ.ɡɔ ˈbjɛ.da ɲɛ uˈbɔ.d͡ʑɛ/

(idiomatic) because priests are rich, if someone has one in their family, they will not know poverty


kto pierwszy, ten lepszy

Rhyme, literally, “who is first is better”.

first come, first served
first come, first served


indyk myślał o niedzieli, a w sobotę łeb mu ścięli

/ˈin.dɘk ˈmɘ.ɕlaw ɔ ɲɛˈd͡ʑɛ.li | a f sɔˈbɔ.tɛ ˈwɛp mu ˈɕt͡ɕɛ.li/

/ˈin.dɘk ˈmɘ.ɕlaw ɔ ɲɛˈd͡ʑɛ.li | a f sɔˈbɔ.tɛw̃ ˈwɛp mu ˈɕt͡ɕɛ.li/

Rhyme, literally, “a turkey was thinking about Sunday, and on Saturday, it was beheaded”.

lit

(idiomatic) usually used as a warning against saying too soon what someone plans to do in the future


zemsta jest rozkoszą bogów

Literally, “revenge is the delight of the gods”.

(idiomatic) revenge is sweet; revenge is something pleasureable


Pan Bóg nierychliwy, ale sprawiedliwy

/ˈpan ˈbuk ɲɛ.rɘˈxli.vɘ | ˈa.lɛ spra.vjɛˈdli.vɘ/

Literally, “[the] Lord God is tardish but fair”.

God stays long, but strikes at last
God stays long, but strikes at last

(idiomatic) God stays long, but strikes at last (the guilty shall be punsihed sooner or later)


gość w dom, Bóg w dom

Literally, “a guest in the house, God in the house”, or more loosely translated as “to host a visitor is like to host God”.

lit

(idiomatic) A host should welcome guests warmly.


head

czym skorupka za młodu nasiąknie, tym na starość trąci

/ˈt͡ʂɘm skɔˈrup.ka za ˈmwɔ.du naˈɕɔŋk.ɲɛ | ˈtɘm na ˈsta.rɔɕt͡ɕ ˈtrɔɲ.t͡ɕi/

Literally, “what the shell soaks in when it is young, it smells of it in old age”.

lit

(idiomatic) as the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined


złe nie śpi

/ˈzwɛ ˈɲɛ ɕpi/

(idiomatic) Alternative form of licho nie śpi


licho nie śpi

Literally, “the likho does not sleep”, or more loosely translated as “the devil never sleeps”. Compare Hungarian az ördög nem alszik, Czech čert nikdy nespí, Slovak čert nikdy nespí.

a bad penny always turns up
a bad penny always turns up

(idiomatic) a bad penny always turns up (one can never be too careful)


jak rak świśnie a ryba piśnie

Literally, “when a crawfish swishes and a fish whistles”. Compare Russian когда рак на горе свистнет (kogda rak na gore svistnet), Belarusian калі рак свісне (kali rak svisnje).

cog

когда рак на горе свистнет

калі рак свісне

(idiomatic) cold day in Hell, when pigs fly (time of occurrence of an event that will never happen)


źle się dzieje w państwie duńskim

/ˈʑlɛ ɕɛ ˈd͡ʑɛ.jɛ f ˈpaɲ.stfjɛ ˈduɲ.skim/

/ˈʑlɛ ɕɛw̃ ˈd͡ʑɛ.jɛ f ˈpaɲ.stfjɛ ˈduɲ.skim/

Literally, “bad things are happening in the Danish state”. Calque of English something is rotten in the state of Denmark from William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet".

cal

(idiomatic) something is rotten in the state of Denmark


królestwo za konia

Calque of English my kingdom for a horse, from William Shakespeare's play Richard III.

my kingdom for a horse
my kingdom for a horse

(idiomatic) my kingdom for a horse (speaker is willing to sacrifice anything to obtain a seemingly unimportant item that becomes invaluable at a critical moment)


człowiek strzela, Pan Bóg kule nosi

/ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈstʂɛ.la | ˈpan ˈbuk ˈku.lɛ ˈnɔ.ɕi/

Literally, “a man shoots, Lord God carries the bullets”.

lit

man proposes, God disposes
man proposes, God disposes

(idiomatic) man proposes, God disposes (things don't always work out as they were planned)


head

nie ma tego złego, co by na dobre nie wyszło

/ˈɲɛ ma ˈtɛ.ɡɔ ˈzwɛ.ɡɔ | ˈt͡sɔ ˈbɘ na ˈdɔ.brɛ ɲɛ ˈvɘ.ʂwɔ/

Literally, “there is no [thing] bad [enough] that would not work out for the good”.

m-g

there is no 􂀿thing􂁀 bad 􂀿enough􂁀 that would not work out for the good

lit

every cloud has a silver lining
every cloud has a silver lining

(idiomatic) every cloud has a silver lining (there is something good in any bad situation)

nie ma tego złego, co by na gorsze nie wyszło


head

nie ma tego złego, co by na gorsze nie wyszło

/ˈɲɛ ma ˈtɛ.ɡɔ ˈzwɛ.ɡɔ | ˈt͡sɔ ˈbɘ na ˈɡɔr.ʂɛ ɲɛ ˈvɘ.ʂwɔ/

Literally, “there is no [thing] bad [enough] that would not work out for the worse”.

m-g

there is no 􂀿thing􂁀 bad 􂀿enough􂁀 that would not work out for the worse

lit

nie ma tego złego, co by na dobre nie wyszło#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of nie ma tego złego, co by na dobre nie wyszło


sukces ma wielu ojców

sukces ma wielu ojców, a porażka jest sierotą#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of sukces ma wielu ojców, a porażka jest sierotą


head

sukces ma wielu ojców, a klęska jest sierotą

/ˈsuk.t͡sɛs ˈma ˈvjɛ.lu ˈɔj.t͡suf | a ˈklɛw̃s.ka ˈjɛst ɕɛˈrɔ.tɔw̃/

/ˈsuk.t͡sɛs ˈma ˈvjɛ.lu ˈɔj.t͡suf | a ˈklɛw̃s.ka ˈjɛst ɕɛˈrɔ.tɔm/

/ˈsuk.t͡sɛs ˈma ˈvjɛ.lu ˈɔj.t͡suf | a ˈklɛns.ka ˈjɛst ɕɛˈrɔ.tɔw̃/

/ˈsuk.t͡sɛs ˈma ˈvjɛ.lu ˈɔj.t͡suf | a ˈklɛns.ka ˈjɛst ɕɛˈrɔ.tɔm/

Literally, “success has many fathers and failure is an orphan”.


head

sukces ma wielu ojców, a porażka jest sierotą

/ˈsuk.t͡sɛs ˈma ˈvjɛ.lu ˈɔj.t͡suf | a pɔˈraʂ.ka ˈjɛst ɕɛˈrɔ.tɔw̃/

/ˈsuk.t͡sɛs ˈma ˈvjɛ.lu ˈɔj.t͡suf | a pɔˈraʂ.ka ˈjɛst ɕɛˈrɔ.tɔm/

(idiomatic) success has many fathers, failure is an orphan


gdy kota nie ma, myszy harcują

/ˈɡdɘ ˈkɔ.ta ˈɲɛ ma | ˈmɘ.ʂɘ xarˈt͡su.jɔw̃/

/ˈɡdɘ ˈkɔ.ta ˈɲɛ ma | ˈmɘ.ʂɘ xarˈt͡su.jɔm/

Literally, “when [the] cat's away, [the] mice cavort”.

m-g

when 􂀿the􂁀 cat's away, 􂀿the􂁀 mice cavort

lit

when the cat's away the mice will play
when the cat's away the mice will play

(idiomatic) when the cat's away the mice will play


strach ma wielkie oczy

(idiomatic) fear makes things look twice as bad as they really are


head

złapał Kozak Tatarzyna, a Tatarzyn za łeb trzyma

/ˈzwa.paw ˈkɔ.zak ta.taˈʐɘ.na | a taˈta.ʐɘn za ˈwɛp ˈtʂɘ.ma/

Rhyme, literally, “a Cossack has caught a Tatar, but the Tatar holds his head”, as the Tatars were stereotypically considered tall while the Cossacks were considered short.

lit

(idiomatic) someone in a conflict situation thinks they have won, but in fact it is the other party that has the upper hand


head

ziarnko do ziarnka, a zbierze się miarka

/ˈʑar.ŋkɔ dɔ ˈʑar.ŋka | a ˈzbjɛ.ʐɛ ɕɛ ˈmjar.ka/

/ˈʑar.ŋkɔ dɔ ˈʑar.ŋka | a ˈzbjɛ.ʐɛ ɕɛw̃ ˈmjar.ka/

Rhyme, literally, “one grain at a time and you get the measure”.

lit

little strokes fell great oaks
little strokes fell great oaks

many a mickle makes a muckle
many a mickle makes a muckle

mighty oaks from little acorns grow
mighty oaks from little acorns grow

(idiomatic) every little helps, little strokes fell great oaks, many a mickle makes a muckle, mighty oaks from little acorns grow, take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves


trafiło się ślepej kurze ziarno

/traˈfi.wɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈɕlɛ.pɛj ˈku.ʐɛ ˈʑar.nɔ/

Literally, “[a] blind hen has caught a seed”.

a stopped clock is right twice a day
a stopped clock is right twice a day

(idiomatic) a stopped clock is right twice a day, even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in a while


głodnemu chleb na myśli

Literally, “[a] hungry person has bread on their mind”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 hungry person has bread on their mind

lit

tongue ever turns to the aching tooth
tongue ever turns to the aching tooth

(idiomatic) someone who wants something will not stop thinking nor talking about that given thing; tongue ever turns to the aching tooth

(humorous, idiomatic) used in response to a Freudian slip to imply that the interlocutor deeply desires the thing they accidentally said


w marcu jak w garncu

Rhyme, literally, “in March [it is] like in [a] pot”.

Coordinate term: kwiecień plecień, bo przeplata trochę zimy, trochę lata

(idiomatic) the weather is very changeable in March


przyganiał kocioł garnkowi, a sam smoli

/pʂɘˈɡa.ɲaw ˈkɔ.t͡ɕɔw ɡarˈŋkɔ.vi | a ˈsam ˈsmɔ.li/

Literally, “[the] cauldron was scorning [the] pot, yet it dirties with soot itself”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 cauldron was scorning 􂀿the􂁀 pot, yet it dirties with soot itself

lit

the pot is calling the kettle black
pot calling the kettle black

(idiomatic) the pot is calling the kettle black (situation in which somebody comments on or accuses someone else of a fault which the accuser shares)


Polak, Węgier – dwa bratanki

Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki
Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative spelling of Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki


hulaj dusza

Literally, “let your soul sway”. From Anton Chekhov's play Three Sisters (1901).

hulaj dusza – piekła nie ma
hulaj dusza – piekła nie ma#Polish

(by ellipsis, humorous, idiomatic) Alternative form of hulaj dusza – piekła nie ma


hulaj dusza – piekła nie ma

Literally, “let your soul sway – there is no hell”. From Anton Chekhov's play Three Sisters (1901).

(humorous, idiomatic) when the cat's away the mice will play


nie mów hop

nie mów hop, póki nie przeskoczysz#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of nie mów hop, póki nie przeskoczysz


nie mów hop, dopóki nie przeskoczysz

/ɲɛ ˈmuf ˈxɔp | dɔˈpu.ki ɲɛ pʂɛˈskɔ.t͡ʂɘʂ/

Literally, “don't say hop before you've jumped across”.


nie mów hop, póki nie przeskoczysz

/ɲɛ ˈmuf ˈxɔp | ˈpu.ki ɲɛ pʂɛˈskɔ.t͡ʂɘʂ/

Literally, “don't say hop until you've jumped across”.

lit

(idiomatic) don't count your chickens before they're hatched


head

powiedziały jaskółki, że niedobre są spółki

/pɔ.vjɛˈd͡ʑa.wɘ jasˈkuw.ki | ˈʐɛ ɲɛˈdɔ.brɛ sɔw̃ ˈspuw.ki/

/pɔ.vjɛˈd͡ʑa.wɘ jasˈkuw.ki | ˈʐɛ ɲɛˈdɔ.brɛ sɔm ˈspuw.ki/

Rhyme, literally, “[the] swallows said that copartnerships are not good”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 swallows said that copartnerships are not good

lit

mówiły jaskółki, że niedobre są spółki#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of mówiły jaskółki, że niedobre są spółki


mówiły jaskółki, że niedobre są spółki

/muˈvi.wɘ jasˈkuw.ki | ˈʐɛ ɲɛˈdɔ.brɛ sɔw̃ ˈspuw.ki/

/muˈvi.wɘ jasˈkuw.ki | ˈʐɛ ɲɛˈdɔ.brɛ sɔm ˈspuw.ki/

Rhyme, literally, “[the] swallows were saying that copartnerships are not good”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 swallows were saying that copartnerships are not good

lit

(idiomatic) cooperative projects are likely to fail and as such it is better to rely only on oneself

gdzie kucharek sześć, tam nie ma co jeść


w domu wisielca nie mówi się o sznurze

/v ˈdɔ.mu viˈɕɛl.t͡sa ɲɛ ˈmu.vi ɕɛ ɔ ˈʂnu.ʐɛ/

/v ˈdɔ.mu viˈɕɛl.t͡sa ɲɛ ˈmu.vi ɕɛw̃ ɔ ˈʂnu.ʐɛ/

Literally, “in the house of a hanged man, one does not speak of rope”.

lit

w domu powieszonego nie mówi się o sznurze#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of w domu powieszonego nie mówi się o sznurze


head

w domu powieszonego nie mówi się o sznurze

/v ˈdɔ.mu pɔ.vjɛ.ʂɔˈnɛ.ɡɔ ɲɛ ˈmu.vi ɕɛ ɔ ˈʂnu.ʐɛ/

/v ˈdɔ.mu pɔ.vjɛ.ʂɔˈnɛ.ɡɔ ɲɛ ˈmu.vi ɕɛw̃ ɔ ˈʂnu.ʐɛ/

Literally, “in the house of a hanged man, one does not speak of rope”. Compare French parler de corde dans la maison d’un pendu.

cog

parler de corde dans la maison d'un pendu

Na pytanie o Kołodziejczyka dodał zjadliwie: - W domu powieszonego nie mówi się o sznurze.

1994 October 7, Paweł Wroński, “Czy z \"puczu\" w Drawsku wyniknie dymisja szefa MON?”, in Gazeta Wyborcza, Agora S.A.:

He added scathingly to the question about Kołodziejczyk: - One does not speak of twine in a hanged man's house.

(idiomatic) one should not discuss certain topics around someone particularly sensitive to them


head

kwiecień plecień, bo przeplata trochę zimy, trochę lata

/ˈkfjɛ.t͡ɕɛɲ ˈplɛ.t͡ɕɛɲ | ˈbɔ pʂɛˈpla.ta ˈtrɔ.xɛ ˈʑi.mɘ | ˈtrɔ.xɛ ˈla.ta/

/ˈkfjɛ.t͡ɕɛɲ ˈplɛ.t͡ɕɛɲ | ˈbɔ pʂɛˈpla.ta ˈtrɔ.xɛw̃ ˈʑi.mɘ | ˈtrɔ.xɛw̃ ˈla.ta/

Coordinate term: w marcu jak w garncu

(idiomatic) the weather is very changeable in April


cierp ciało, kiedyś chciało

Rhyme, literally, “suffer [my] body, when you wanted to”.

lit

cierp ciało, skoroś chciało
cierp ciało, skoroś chciało#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of cierp ciało, skoroś chciało


rada by dusza do raju

Literally, “[a] soul would [be] glad [to get] into heaven”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would 􂀿be􂁀 glad 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven

lit

chciałaby dusza do raju
chciałaby dusza do raju#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of chciałaby dusza do raju


head

chcesz stracić przyjaciela, pożycz mu pieniądze

/ˈxt͡sɛʂ ˈstra.t͡ɕit͡ɕ pʂɘ.jaˈt͡ɕɛ.la | ˈpɔ.ʐɘt͡ʂ mu pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/

Literally, “[if] you want to lose a friend, loan him money”.

m-g

􂀿if􂁀 you want to lose a friend, loan him money

lit

(idiomatic) one should not get into business with one's friends, as they often turn out to be unreliable with money, which can lead to the end of the friendship


chciałaby dusza do raju

Literally, “[a] soul would like [to get] into heaven”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would like 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven

lit

(idiomatic) plans and dreams do not always come true due to unforeseen obstacles

chciałaby dusza do raju, ale grzechy nie dają

chciałaby dusza do raju, tylko grzechy nie dają

chciałaby dusza do raju, ale grzechy nie pozwalają

chciałaby dusza do raju, tylko grzechy nie pozwalają


cierp ciało, kiedy ci się chciało

/ˈt͡ɕɛrp ˈt͡ɕa.wɔ | ˈkjɛ.dɘ t͡ɕi ɕɛ ˈxt͡ɕa.wɔ/

/ˈt͡ɕɛrp ˈt͡ɕa.wɔ | ˈkjɛ.dɘ t͡ɕi ɕɛw̃ ˈxt͡ɕa.wɔ/


head

chciałaby dusza do raju, tylko grzechy nie dają

/ˈxt͡ɕa.wa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ ˈra.ju | ˈtɘl.kɔ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ ˈda.jɔw̃/

/ˈxt͡ɕa.wa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ ˈra.ju | ˈtɘl.kɔ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ ˈda.jɔm/

Literally, “[a] soul would like [to get] into heaven, only sins don't let [it]”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would like 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven, only sins don't let 􂀿it􂁀


head

jeżeli Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

/jɛˈʐɛ.li ˈpan ˈbuk ˈxt͡sɛ uˈka.rat͡ɕ | ˈtɔ ˈrɔz.um ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/

Literally, “if The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away [one's] reasoning”.

m-g

if The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away 􂀿one's􂁀 reasoning

lit

jak Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of jak Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera


head

chciałaby dusza do raju, tylko grzechy nie pozwalają

/ˈxt͡ɕa.wa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ ˈra.ju | ˈtɘl.kɔ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ pɔ.zvaˈla.jɔw̃/

/ˈxt͡ɕa.wa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ ˈra.ju | ˈtɘl.kɔ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ pɔ.zvaˈla.jɔm/

Literally, “[a] soul would like [to get] into heaven, only sins don't allow [it]”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would like 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven, only sins don't allow 􂀿it􂁀


head

jeżeli Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

/jɛˈʐɛ.li ˈbuk ˈxt͡sɛ uˈka.rat͡ɕ | ˈtɔ ˈrɔz.um ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/


cierp ciało, skoroś chciało

Rhyme, literally, “suffer [my] body, since you wanted to”.

lit

the chickens come home to roost
the chickens come home to roost

(idiomatic, normally of negative consequences) the chickens come home to roost


head

chciałaby dusza do raju, ale grzechy nie pozwalają

/ˈxt͡ɕa.wa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ ˈra.ju | ˈa.lɛ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ pɔ.zvaˈla.jɔw̃/

/ˈxt͡ɕa.wa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ ˈra.ju | ˈa.lɛ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ pɔ.zvaˈla.jɔm/

Literally, “[a] soul would like [to get] into heaven, but sins don't allow [it]”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would like 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven, but sins don't allow 􂀿it􂁀


head

chciałaby dusza do raju, ale grzechy nie dają

/ˈxt͡ɕa.wa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ ˈra.ju | ˈa.lɛ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ ˈda.jɔw̃/

/ˈxt͡ɕa.wa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ ˈra.ju | ˈa.lɛ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ ˈda.jɔm/

Literally, “[a] soul would like [to get] into heaven, but sins don't let [it]”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would like 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven, but sins don't let 􂀿it􂁀


head

jak Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

/ˈjak ˈpan ˈbuk ˈxt͡sɛ uˈka.rat͡ɕ | ˈtɔ ˈrɔz.um ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/

(idiomatic) the loss of one's logical faculties is the worst fate one can have

kogo Pan Bóg chce ukarać, temu rozum odbiera

kogo Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to mu rozum odbiera


musi to na Rusi

ellipsis

musi to na Rusi, a w Polsce jak kto chce#Polish

(idiomatic, colloquial) Ellipsis of musi to na Rusi, a w Polsce jak kto chce.


head

jeśli się chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie

/ˈjɛ.ɕli ɕɛ ˈxt͡sɛ ˈpsa uˈdɛ.ʐɘt͡ɕ | ˈtɔ ˈkij ɕɛ ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ/

/ˈjɛ.ɕli ɕɛw̃ ˈxt͡sɛ ˈpsa uˈdɛ.ʐɘt͡ɕ | ˈtɔ ˈkij ɕɛw̃ ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ/

Literally, “if one wants to hit a dog, then a club will be found”.

lit

jak się chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of jak się chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie


head

musi to na Rusi, a w Polsce jak kto chce

/ˈmu.ɕi ˈtɔ na ˈru.ɕi | a f ˈpɔl.st͡sɛ ˈjak ˈktɔ ˈxt͡sɛ/

Literally, “Must – that's in Ruthenia/Rus, and in Poland, it's [one does] as one wants”. Kto chce stressed on the first syllable, keeping the meter of a w Polsce.

m-g

Must – that's in Ruthenia/Rus, and in Poland, it's 􂀿one does􂁀 as one wants

lit

(idiomatic, colloquial) you can't force one to do what you want, one will do as one pleases (snapped in response to a sentence containing musieć)


head

jak ktoś chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie

jak ktoś chce psa uderzyć (canonical)
to kij się znajdzie (canonical)

/ˈjak ˈktɔɕ ˈxt͡sɛ ˈpsa uˈdɛ.ʐɘt͡ɕ | ˈtɔ ˈkij ˈzaf.ʂɛ ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ/

Literally, “if someone wants to hit a dog, then a club will be found”.

lit

jak ktoś chce psa uderzyć, to kij zawsze znajdzie


head

kto chce psa uderzyć, kij zawsze znajdzie

/ˈktɔ ˈxt͡sɛ ˈpsa uˈdɛ.ʐɘt͡ɕ | ˈkij ˈzaf.ʂɛ ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ/

Literally, “he who wants to hit a dog, will always find a club”.


head

kogo Pan Bóg chce ukarać, temu rozum odbiera

/ˈkɔ.ɡɔ ˈpan ˈbuk ˈxt͡sɛ uˈka.rat͡ɕ | ˈtɛ.mu ˈrɔz.um ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/

Literally, “he who The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away [one's] reasoning”.

m-g

he who The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away 􂀿one's􂁀 reasoning


head

jak się chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie

/ˈjak ɕɛ ˈxt͡sɛ ˈpsa uˈdɛ.ʐɘt͡ɕ | ˈtɔ ˈkij ɕɛ ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ/

/ˈjak ɕɛw̃ ˈxt͡sɛ ˈpsa uˈdɛ.ʐɘt͡ɕ | ˈtɔ ˈkij ɕɛw̃ ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ/

(idiomatic) if someone is expecting to find something, usually through bias or prejudice, then anything can look like the sought thing


jak Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

/ˈjak ˈbuk ˈxt͡sɛ uˈka.rat͡ɕ | ˈtɔ ˈrɔz.um ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/

lit

Literally, “if The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away [one's] reasoning”


head

kogo Pan Bóg chce ukarać, mu rozum odbiera

kogo Pan Bóg chce ukarać (canonical)
mu rozum odbiera (canonical)

/ˈkɔ.ɡɔ ˈpan ˈbuk ˈxt͡sɛ uˈka.rat͡ɕ | ˈtɔ mu ˈrɔz.um ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/


cierp ciało, jak ci się chciało

/ˈt͡ɕɛrp ˈt͡ɕa.wɔ | ˈjak t͡ɕi ɕɛ ˈxt͡ɕa.wɔ/

/ˈt͡ɕɛrp ˈt͡ɕa.wɔ | ˈjak t͡ɕi ɕɛw̃ ˈxt͡ɕa.wɔ/

Rhyme, literally, “suffer [my] body, as you wanted to”.


żadna praca nie hańbi

Literally, “no job disgraces [a person]”.

(idiomatic) every job has its upsides and one should not be ashamed of their job


oszczędnością i pracą ludzie się bogacą

/ɔʂ.t͡ʂɛndˈnɔɕ.t͡ɕɔw̃ i ˈpra.t͡sɔw̃ ˈlu.d͡ʑɛ ɕɛ bɔˈɡa.t͡sɔw̃/

/ɔʂ.t͡ʂɛndˈnɔɕ.t͡ɕɔm i ˈpra.t͡sɔm ˈlu.d͡ʑɛ ɕɛ bɔˈɡa.t͡sɔm/

/ɔʂ.t͡ʂɛndˈnɔɕ.t͡ɕɔw̃ i ˈpra.t͡sɔw̃ ˈlu.d͡ʑɛ ɕɛw̃ bɔˈɡa.t͡sɔw̃/

/ɔʂ.t͡ʂɛndˈnɔɕ.t͡ɕɔm i ˈpra.t͡sɔm ˈlu.d͡ʑɛ ɕɛw̃ bɔˈɡa.t͡sɔm/

Rhyme, literally, “people get rich with frugality and work”.

lit

(idiomatic) hard work and frugality can make a person rich


jaka praca, taka płaca

Rhyme, literally, “as the work, such is the pay”.

(idiomatic) payment for work should equal the work itself


paluszek i główka to szkolna wymówka

/paˈlu.ʂɛk i ˈɡwuf.ka ˈtɔ ˈʂkɔl.na vɘˈmuf.ka/

Rhyme, literally, “a finger and a head is a school excuse”.

lit

(idiomatic) one should not use small excuses to try and get out of responsibilities


paluszek i główka

ellipsis

paluszek i główka to szkolna wymówka#Polish

(idiomatic) Ellipsis of paluszek i główka to szkolna wymówka.


co z oczu, to z serca

Literally, “what is gone from before the eyes, that is gone from the heart.”

lit

out of sight, out of mind
out of sight, out of mind

long absent, soon forgotten
long absent, soon forgotten

(idiomatic) out of sight, out of mind, long absent, soon forgotten (we stop feeling strongly about things and people that are away from us)

czego oczy nie widzą, tego sercu nie żal


ciekawość to pierwszy stopień do piekła

/t͡ɕɛˈka.vɔɕt͡ɕ ˈtɔ ˈpjɛr.fʂɘ ˈstɔ.pjɛɲ dɔ ˈpjɛ.kwa/

Literally, “curiosity is [the] first step to hell”.

curiosity killed the cat
curiosity killed the cat


człowiek uczy się na błędach

Literally, “man learns from [his] mistakes”.

you learn from your mistakes
learn the hard way

(idiomatic) you learn from your mistakes


żołnierz strzela, Pan Bóg kule nosi

/ˈʐɔw.ɲɛʂ ˈstʂɛ.la | ˈpan ˈbuk ˈku.lɛ ˈnɔ.ɕi/

Literally, “a soldier shoots, Lord God carries the bullets”.

lit

człowiek strzela, Pan Bóg kule nosi#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of człowiek strzela, Pan Bóg kule nosi


head

przyzwyczajenie jest drugą naturą człowieka

/pʂɘ.zvɘ.t͡ʂaˈjɛ.ɲɛ ˈjɛst ˈdru.ɡɔw̃ naˈtu.rɔw̃ t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.ka/

/pʂɘ.zvɘ.t͡ʂaˈjɛ.ɲɛ ˈjɛst ˈdru.ɡɔm naˈtu.rɔm t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.ka/

Literally, “getting used [to something] is man's second nature”.

m-g

getting used 􂀿to something􂁀 is man's second nature

lit

you can't teach an old dog new tricks
you can't teach an old dog new tricks

(idiomatic) you can't teach an old dog new tricks


head

gdy się człowiek śpieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

/ˈɡdɘ ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈɕpjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

/ˈɡdɘ ɕɛw̃ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈɕpjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

Rhyme, literally, “when man rushes, the devil is glad”.

lit

gdy się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of gdy się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy


head

jeśli się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

/ˈjɛ.ɕli ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈspjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

/ˈjɛ.ɕli ɕɛw̃ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈspjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

Rhyme, literally, “if man rushes, the devil is glad”.


head

jak się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

/ˈjak ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈspjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

/ˈjak ɕɛw̃ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈspjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/


jeśli się człowiek spieszy (canonical)
to się diabeł cieszy (canonical)

/ˈjɛ.ɕli ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈɕpjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

/ˈjɛ.ɕli ɕɛw̃ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈɕpjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

jeśli się człowiek śpieszy, to się diabeł cieszy


gdy się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

/ˈɡdɘ ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈspjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

/ˈɡdɘ ɕɛw̃ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈspjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

more haste, less speed
more haste, less speed

slow and steady wins the race
slow and steady wins the race

jak się człowiek śpieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

(idiomatic) more haste, less speed; haste makes waste; slow and steady wins the race


jak się człowiek spieszy (canonical)
to się diabeł cieszy (canonical)

/ˈjak ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈɕpjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

/ˈjak ɕɛw̃ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ˈɕpjɛ.ʂɘ | ˈtɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/


góra z górą się nie zejdzie, a człowiek z człowiekiem tak

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | a ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈtak/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔm ɕɛ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | a ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈtak/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛw̃ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | a ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈtak/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔm ɕɛw̃ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | a ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈtak/

Literally, “[a] mountain will not get back together with a mountain, but a person with a person will”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 mountain will not get back together with a mountain, but a person with a person will

lit

góra z górą się nie zejdzie, a człowiek z człowiekiem zawsze#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of góra z górą się nie zejdzie, a człowiek z człowiekiem zawsze


head

góra z górą się nie zejdzie, ale człowiek z człowiekiem tak

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | ˈa.lɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈtak/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔm ɕɛ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | ˈa.lɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈtak/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛw̃ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | ˈa.lɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈtak/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔm ɕɛw̃ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | ˈa.lɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈtak/


góra z górą się nie zejdzie, ale człowiek z człowiekiem zawsze

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | ˈa.lɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈzaf.ʂɛ/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔm ɕɛ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | ˈa.lɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈzaf.ʂɛ/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛw̃ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | ˈa.lɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈzaf.ʂɛ/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔm ɕɛw̃ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | ˈa.lɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈzaf.ʂɛ/

Literally, “[a] mountain will not get back together with a mountain, but a person with a person always [will]”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 mountain will not get back together with a mountain, but a person with a person always 􂀿will􂁀


head

góra z górą się nie zejdzie, a człowiek z człowiekiem zawsze

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | a ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈzaf.ʂɛ/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔm ɕɛ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | a ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈzaf.ʂɛ/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛw̃ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | a ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈzaf.ʂɛ/

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔm ɕɛw̃ ɲɛ ˈzɛj.d͡ʑɛ | a ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈzaf.ʂɛ/

(idiomatic) one can find someone known in unexpecting places or times


kto się umywa, tego ubywa

Rhyme, literally, “who washes themselves is decreased”.

lit

(idiomatic, humorous) one should not wash oneself too much


częste mycie skraca życie

/ˈt͡ʂɛw̃s.tɛ ˈmɘ.t͡ɕɛ ˈskra.t͡sa ˈʐɘ.t͡ɕɛ/

/ˈt͡ʂɛns.tɛ ˈmɘ.t͡ɕɛ ˈskra.t͡sa ˈʐɘ.t͡ɕɛ/

Rhyme, literally, “frequent washing shortens [one's] life”.


przykład idzie z góry

Literally, “[the] example comes from above”.

(idiomatic) people lower in a hierarchy model their behavior on the behavior of those higher in the hierarchy


nie oceniaj książki po okładce

/ɲɛ ɔˈt͡sɛ.ɲaj ˈkɕɔw̃ʂ.ki pɔ ɔˈkwat.t͡sɛ/

/ɲɛ ɔˈt͡sɛ.ɲaj ˈkɕɔnʂ.ki pɔ ɔˈkwat.t͡sɛ/

Literally, “don't judge a book by [its] cover”.

Pozycją, przy której aż wypada powiedzieć „nie oceniaj książki po okładce”.

2021 December 1, Magazyn Hipogryf #4 Grudzień 2021, Arkadiusz Orzeł, page 63:

A position, which one ought to say to: don't judge a book by its cover.

don't judge a book by its cover
you can't judge a book by its cover

(idiomatic) don't judge a book by its cover


wyjątek potwierdza regułę

Literally, “[the] exception proves [the] rule”.

exception proves the rule
exception that proves the rule


na układy nie ma rady

Rhyme, literally, “there's nothing you can do about arrangements”.

lit

(idiomatic) one is helpless when someone makes decisions that affect others based purely on personal criteria


zgoda buduje, niezgoda rujnuje

/ˈzɡɔ.da buˈdu.jɛ | ɲɛˈzɡɔ.da rujˈnu.jɛ/

Rhyme, literally, “concord builds, discord ruins”.

united we stand, divided we fall
united we stand, divided we fall

(idiomatic) united we stand, divided we fall


stara miłość nie rdzewieje

Literally, “old love does not rust”. Compare Czech stará láska nerezaví, Dutch oude liefde roest niet, German alte Liebe rostet nicht, Russian старая любовь не ржавеет (staraja ljubovʹ ne ržavejet).

cog

старая любовь не ржавеет

(idiomatic) old habits die hard (old feelings toward a person, place, or activity do not fade away)


szewc bez butów chodzi

Literally, “[the] shoemaker goes without boots”.

lit

the shoemaker's children go barefoot
the shoemaker's children go barefoot

(idiomatic) the shoemaker's children go barefoot (one often neglects those closest to themself)


przypadki chodzą po ludziach

nieszczęścia chodzą po ludziach
nieszczęścia chodzą po ludziach#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of nieszczęścia chodzą po ludziach


nieszczęścia chodzą po ludziach

/ɲɛˈʂt͡ʂɛw̃ɕ.t͡ɕa ˈxɔ.d͡zɔw̃ pɔ ˈlu.d͡ʑax/

/ɲɛˈʂt͡ʂɛw̃ɕ.t͡ɕa ˈxɔ.d͡zɔm pɔ ˈlu.d͡ʑax/

/ɲɛˈʂt͡ʂɛɲɕ.t͡ɕa ˈxɔ.d͡zɔw̃ pɔ ˈlu.d͡ʑax/

/ɲɛˈʂt͡ʂɛɲɕ.t͡ɕa ˈxɔ.d͡zɔm pɔ ˈlu.d͡ʑax/

Literally, “misfortunes go about people”.

(idiomatic) something bad can happen to anyone


head

jak nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze

/ˈjak ɲɛ vjaˈdɔ.mɔ | ˈɔ t͡sɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi | ˈtɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi ɔ pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/

Literally, “if one doesn't know what it's about, then it's about money”.

lit

(idiomatic) Money is the driving force and main motivation for peoples' actions.

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, na pewno chodzi o pieniądze

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to na pewno chodzi o pieniądze

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to wiadomo, że chodzi o pieniądze


head

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze

/ˈɡdɘ ɲɛ vjaˈdɔ.mɔ | ˈɔ t͡sɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi | ˈtɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi ɔ pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/

jak nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of jak nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze.


gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to na pewno chodzi o pieniądze

Literally, “if one doesn't what it's about, then it's definitely about money”.


head

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to wiadomo, że chodzi o pieniądze

/ˈɡdɘ ɲɛ vjaˈdɔ.mɔ | ˈɔ t͡sɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi | ˈtɔ vjaˈdɔ.mɔ | ˈʐɛ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi ɔ pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/

Literally, “if one doesn't what it's about, then it's clearly about money”.


head

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, na pewno chodzi o pieniądze

/ˈɡdɘ ɲɛ vjaˈdɔ.mɔ | ˈɔ t͡sɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi | na ˈpɛv.nɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi ɔ pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/


głupich nie sieją, sami się rodzą

/ˈɡwu.pix ɲɛ ˈɕɛ.jɔw̃ | ˈsa.mi ɕɛ ˈrɔ.d͡zɔw̃/

/ˈɡwu.pix ɲɛ ˈɕɛ.jɔm | ˈsa.mi ɕɛ ˈrɔ.d͡zɔm/

/ˈɡwu.pix ɲɛ ˈɕɛ.jɔw̃ | ˈsa.mi ɕɛw̃ ˈrɔ.d͡zɔw̃/

/ˈɡwu.pix ɲɛ ˈɕɛ.jɔm | ˈsa.mi ɕɛw̃ ˈrɔ.d͡zɔm/

Literally, “the foolish are not sown, they are born”. Compare Belarusian ду́рняў не се́юць, яны́ са́мі ро́дзяцца (dúrnjaŭ nje sjéjucʹ, janý sámi ródzjacca).

cog

ду́рняў не се́юць, яны́ са́мі ро́дзяцца

(derogatory, idiomatic) used to express helplessness in the face of somebody's unwise behavior


i w Paryżu nie zrobią z owsa ryżu

/i f paˈrɘ.ʐu ɲɛ ˈzrɔ.bjɔw̃ z ˈɔf.sa ˈrɘ.ʐu/

/i f paˈrɘ.ʐu ɲɛ ˈzrɔ.bjɔm z ˈɔf.sa ˈrɘ.ʐu/

Literally, “even in Paris they won't make rice from oats”.

lit

(idiomatic) you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear


kradzione nie tuczy

Literally, “stolen things don't nourish”.

ill-gotten gains never prosper
ill-gotten gains never prosper

(idiomatic) ill-gotten gains never prosper


ćwiczenie czyni mistrza

Literally, “the exercise makes the master”.

practice makes perfect
practice makes perfect


głupich nie sieją

Literally, “the foolish are not sown”. Ellipsis of głupich nie sieją, sami się rodzą.

ellipsis

głupich nie sieją, sami się rodzą#Polish

(derogatory, idiomatic) Alternative form of głupich nie sieją, sami się rodzą


ciągnie swój do swego

/ˈt͡ɕɔŋɡ.ɲɛ ˈsfuj dɔ ˈsfɛ.ɡɔ/

birds of a feather flock together
birds of a feather flock together

(idiomatic) birds of a feather flock together


tego kwiatu jest pół światu

Rhyme, literally, “of this flower there is half of the world”. The genitive singular of świat is normally świata, but światu is used to make the rhyme work.

lit

there are plenty of fish in the sea
there are plenty of fish in the sea

(idiomatic) there are plenty of fish in the sea


w przyrodzie nic nie ginie

/f pʂɘˈrɔ.d͡ʑɛ ˈɲit͡s ɲɛ ˈɡi.ɲɛ/

(idiomatic) used as a form of consolation that what has disappeared will be found, because, after all, it has to be somewhere


złego diabli nie biorą

Literally, “[the] devils do not take [the] bad [one]”.

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 devils do not take 􂀿the􂁀 bad 􂀿one􂁀


murzyn zrobił swoje, murzyn może odejść

/ˈmu.ʐɘn ˈzrɔ.biw ˈsfɔ.jɛ | ˈmu.ʐɘn ˈmɔ.ʐɛ ˈɔ.dɛjɕt͡ɕ/

Literally, “[the] Negro has done his job, [the] Negro can go”. Calque of German der Mohr hat seine Schuldigkeit getan, der Mohr kann gehen. From Friedrich Schiller's play Fiesco (1782).

m-g

􂀿the􂁀 Negro has done his job, 􂀿the􂁀 Negro can go

cal

(idiomatic, possibly offensive) used to describe a situation where someone has been used to do something and then dismissed or abandoned


Murzyn zrobił swoje, Murzyn może odejść

murzyn zrobił swoje, murzyn może odejść#Polish

(idiomatic, possibly offensive) Alternative letter-case form of murzyn zrobił swoje, murzyn może odejść


jak cię widzą, tak cię piszą

/ˈjak t͡ɕɛ ˈvi.d͡zɔw̃ | ˈtak t͡ɕɛ ˈpi.ʂɔw̃/

/ˈjak t͡ɕɛ ˈvi.d͡zɔm | ˈtak t͡ɕɛ ˈpi.ʂɔm/

/ˈjak t͡ɕɛw̃ ˈvi.d͡zɔw̃ | ˈtak t͡ɕɛw̃ ˈpi.ʂɔw̃/

/ˈjak t͡ɕɛw̃ ˈvi.d͡zɔm | ˈtak t͡ɕɛw̃ ˈpi.ʂɔm/

Rhyme, literally, “as they see you, so they write you”.

lit

fine feathers make fine birds
fine feathers make fine birds

(idiomatic) fine feathers make fine birds (something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good)


szlachcic na zagrodzie równy wojewodzie

/ˈʂlax.t͡ɕit͡s na zaˈɡrɔ.d͡ʑɛ ˈruv.nɘ vɔ.jɛˈvɔ.d͡ʑɛ/

Rhyme, literally, “[a] nobleman at [his] croft is equal to [a] voivode”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 nobleman at 􂀿his􂁀 croft is equal to 􂀿a􂁀 voivode

lit

(historical, idiomatic) every member of the szlachta (Polish nobility) has equal rights, regardless of his wealth

co wolno wojewodzie, to nie tobie, smrodzie


lepiej późno niż wcale

Literally, “better late than not at all”.

better late than never
better late than never


trafił swój na swego

it takes one to know one
it takes one to know one

(idiomatic) diamond cut diamond; it takes one to know one (someone steadfast and relentless has come to face a similar opponent)


trafiła kosa na kamień

Literally, “[a] scythe has hit [a] stone”.


ten się śmieje, kto się śmieje ostatni

/ˈtɛn ɕɛ ˈɕmjɛ.jɛ | ˈktɔ ɕɛ ˈɕmjɛ.jɛ ɔsˈtat.ɲi/

/ˈtɛn ɕɛw̃ ˈɕmjɛ.jɛ | ˈktɔ ɕɛw̃ ˈɕmjɛ.jɛ ɔsˈtat.ɲi/

Literally, “that one laughs who laughs last”, or more loosely translated as “he who laughs last laughs best”.

he who laughs last laughs best
he who laughs last laughs best


head

dobrymi chęciami piekło jest wybrukowane

/dɔˈbrɘ.mi xɛɲˈt͡ɕa.mi ˈpjɛ.kwɔ ˈjɛst vɘ.bru.kɔˈva.nɛ/

Literally, “hell is paved with good intentions”.

lit

(idiomatic) the road to hell is paved with good intentions

dobrymi chęciami jest piekło wybrukowane


z dużej chmury mały deszcz

Literally, “out of a big cloud a little rain”.

much ado about nothing
much ado about nothing

great cry and little wool
great cry and little wool

all talk and no action
all talk and no action

all bark and no bite
all bark and no bite

(idiomatic) much ado about nothing; great cry and little wool; all talk and no action; all bark and no bite (big changes could have been expected, but they did not happen)


każdy orze, jak może

Rhyme, literally, “everyone ploughs as much as they can”.

(idiomatic) everyone copes with life as best as they can


do Świętego Ducha, nie zdejmuj kożucha

/dɔ ɕfjɛnˈtɛ.ɡɔ ˈdu.xa | ɲɛ ˈzdɛj.muj kɔˈʐu.xa/

Literally, “until [the descent of the] Holy Spirit, don't take off [your] fur coat”, or more loosely translated as “until Pentecost, don't take off [your] fur coat”.

m-g

until 􂀿the descent of the􂁀 Holy Spirit, don't take off 􂀿your􂁀 fur coat

until Pentecost, don't take off 􂀿your􂁀 fur coat

lit

ne'er cast a clout till May be out
ne'er cast a clout till May be out

(idiomatic) ne'er cast a clout till May be out (do not change from winter clothes to summer clothes until June, as there is often a sudden cold snap in May)


prawda w oczy kole

(idiomatic) the truth hurts (unflattering but true opinion about someone is received badly by the person to whom it is addressed)


co kraj, to obyczaj

Literally, “[for] every country, there is a custom”.

lit

(idiomatic) every country has its own customs

jeśli wejdziesz między wrony, musisz krakać jak i one


Bóg pomaga tym, co sami sobie pomagają

/ˈbuk pɔˈma.ɡa ˈtɘm | ˈt͡sɔ ˈsa.mi ˈsɔ.bjɛ pɔ.maˈɡa.jɔw̃/

/ˈbuk pɔˈma.ɡa ˈtɘm | ˈt͡sɔ ˈsa.mi ˈsɔ.bjɛ pɔ.maˈɡa.jɔm/

Literally, “God helps those who help themselves”.

God helps those who help themselves
God helps those who help themselves

(idiomatic) God helps those who help themselves


godzina sapoty, godzina roboty

/ɡɔˈd͡ʑi.na saˈpɔ.tɘ | ɡɔˈd͡ʑi.na rɔˈbɔ.tɘ/

Rhyme, literally, “hour of panting, hour of work”.

(idiomatic, Chełmno-Dobrzyń) used in reference to a lazy worker


kto kogo łaje, niech sam przykład daje

/ˈktɔ ˈkɔ.ɡɔ ˈwa.jɛ | ˈɲɛx ˈsam ˈpʂɘ.kwat ˈda.jɛ/

Literally, “he who scolds others should give an example himself”.

lit

(idiomatic) people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones


head

nikt nie jest prorokiem we własnym kraju

/ˈɲikt ɲɛ ˈjɛst prɔˈrɔ.kjɛm vɛ ˈvwas.nɘm ˈkra.ju/

Literally, “no one is a prophet in their own country”. From the Bible.

lit

a prophet is not without honor save in his own country


być w Rzymie i papieża nie widzieć

/ˈbɘt͡ɕ v ˈʐɘ.mjɛ i paˈpjɛ.ʐa ɲɛ ˈvi.d͡ʑɛt͡ɕ/

Literally, “to visit Rome without seeing the Pope”.

(idiomatic) to visit some location and not see the most interesting attraction


kto sieje wiatr, ten zbiera burzę

/ˈktɔ ˈɕɛ.jɛ ˈvjatr | ˈtɛn ˈzbjɛ.ra ˈbu.ʐɛ/

/ˈktɔ ˈɕɛ.jɛ ˈvjatr | ˈtɛn ˈzbjɛ.ra ˈbu.ʐɛw̃/

Literally, “who sows the wind, reaps a storm”.

kto sieje wiatr, zbiera burzę
kto sieje wiatr, zbiera burzę#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of kto sieje wiatr, zbiera burzę