Alfa i omega
Listen
What it means
Literally “alpha and omega” — the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Means the beginning and the end, or someone who knows everything about a subject — the ultimate authority.
Vocabulary
- alfa — alpha (first letter of the Greek alphabet)
- omega — omega (last letter of the Greek alphabet)
Grammar note
A fixed nominal phrase with no verb. Used as a predicate: 'On jest alfą i omegą w tej dziedzinie' (He is the alpha and omega in this field). 'Alfą i omegą' would take the instrumental after 'jest.'
Cultural context
The phrase has biblical origins (Revelation 1:8 — 'I am the Alpha and the Omega'). It is used across most European languages and is fully naturalized in Polish.
Beginner
Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!
More Polish idioms
- Literally "one's whole life flew past before the eyes," this phrase describes the vivid, involuntary …
- Literally "for an example," na przykład is the standard Polish phrase for "for example" or "for …
- Literally "in the last/recent times," ostatnimi czasy is a common temporal phrase meaning "lately," …
- Literally "in the manner of Judas," this adverb describes acting in a treacherous, backstabbing way …