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  What it means

  Literally “every country has its own customs.” It is the Polish equivalent of “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” and expresses the idea that customs, habits, and social norms vary from place to place. Poles use it to explain or excuse cultural differences, or to remind someone to respect local practices when travelling or dealing with people from other backgrounds.

  Vocabulary

  • kraj — country, land
  • obyczaj — custom, tradition, habit
  • co — every, each (here in the sense of 'each country')

  Grammar note

  The 'Co X, to Y' pattern here means 'each X has its own Y.' Both 'kraj' and 'obyczaj' are in the nominative singular. This proverb-like structure is very common in Polish sayings and emphasizes variation or correspondence: every instance of X has a corresponding Y.

  Cultural context

  This saying reflects a pragmatic Polish attitude toward cultural diversity and the acceptance that there is no single universal standard of behaviour. It is used in travel contexts, discussions of social norms, and as a polite way to acknowledge or explain differences without judgment.

  Beginner

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