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  What it means

  Literally “what truth” or “it is true that,” co prawda functions as a concessive adverb meaning “admittedly,” “granted,” or “to be sure.” It is used to acknowledge a point before introducing a contrasting one, similar to “I admit that…” or “True, but…” in English. It signals that the speaker is being fair-minded by conceding something before making a counterpoint.

  Vocabulary

  • co — what (here used in a fixed phrase)
  • prawda — truth

  Grammar note

  *Co prawda* is a frozen phrase functioning as a sentence adverb or connector. Grammatically, *co* was originally an interrogative pronoun in the nominative, and *prawda* is a nominative noun. As a set phrase it has lost its compositional meaning and functions like a discourse particle. It typically appears at the beginning of a clause and is often followed by a comma.

  Cultural context

  This phrase is used across all registers, from informal conversation to formal writing. It is often paired with *ale* (but) to create a contrast: *Co prawda był zmęczony, ale przyszedł.* (Admittedly he was tired, but he came.) It is a polite rhetorical device that shows the speaker is engaging honestly with the other side of an argument.

  Beginner

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