Bóg mi świadkiem
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What it means
Literally “God is my witness.” A solemn declaration of sincerity — invoking God to confirm that what you are saying is true.
Vocabulary
- Bóg — God
- świadek — witness
Grammar note
'Mi' is the short dative of 'ja' (to me / for me). 'Świadkiem' is the instrumental of 'świadek' — predicate after the implied 'jest' (is).
Cultural context
A phrase with deep roots in Polish Catholic culture. Used both sincerely and dramatically — sometimes to add weight to a statement, sometimes hyperbolically.
Intermediate
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