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  What it means

  Literally “for the one who wants (it), nothing is difficult,” this is a proverbial saying that means willpower and desire overcome any obstacle. It is the Polish equivalent of “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Poles use it to encourage someone who doubts their ability to do something, or to argue that success depends on motivation rather than talent or circumstance. It can be used sincerely as encouragement, or ironically when someone is reluctant to make even a small effort.

  Vocabulary

  • dla — for (preposition governing genitive)
  • chcącego — the one who wants (present active participle of *chcieć*, genitive singular masculine)
  • nic — nothing
  • trudnego — difficult (genitive of *trudny*, used after *nic*)

  Grammar note

  The word *chcącego* is a present active participle in the genitive case, functioning as a noun ('the one who wants'). The construction *nic + adjective in genitive* is a standard Polish pattern: *nic trudnego* (nothing difficult), *nic nowego* (nothing new). The genitive here is required because *nic* behaves like a quantifier that triggers genitive agreement.

  Cultural context

  This saying has a motivational, slightly old-fashioned tone. It is used in pep talks, classroom encouragement, and motivational speeches. The ironic use — addressed to someone who refuses to try something easy — adds a gently sarcastic edge. The equivalent English proverb 'where there's a will, there's a way' carries exactly the same dual sincere/ironic potential.

  Intermediate

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