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  What it means

  Literally “to want is to be able to.” This phrase expresses the idea that willpower and desire are enough to achieve anything — if you truly want something, you will find a way to make it happen. Poles use it to encourage someone who claims they can’t do something, or to motivate themselves or others before a difficult task. It is the Polish equivalent of “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

  Vocabulary

  • chcieć — to want, to wish
  • móc — to be able to, can
  • to — here: it is (linking/equating particle)

  Grammar note

  Both verbs appear in their infinitive forms, making the phrase a nominal clause (a proverb-like equation). The structure 'infinitive + to + infinitive' is common in Polish aphorisms and proverbs. 'Móc' is an irregular modal verb; its present-tense forms are: mogę, możesz, może, możemy, możecie, mogą.

  Cultural context

  This phrase is used across all registers — from classroom encouragement to motivational speeches. It is so well-known that Poles often quote just the first word 'chcieć' and listeners complete the rest. Equivalent in spirit to the English 'where there's a will, there's a way.'

  Beginner

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