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  What it means

  Literally “proud as a peacock,” this simile describes someone who is extremely proud, often to the point of being vain or boastful. The peacock is the universal symbol of pride and showiness, and this Polish expression works exactly the same way as its English counterpart. Poles use it to describe someone puffed up with pride over an achievement, their appearance, or their status — sometimes admiringly, but often with a gentle ironic edge.

  Vocabulary

  • dumny — proud (masculine nominative)
  • jak — like, as
  • paw — peacock

  Grammar note

  This is a simile constructed with 'jak' (like/as). 'Dumny' is a predicate adjective in the nominative, agreeing with the (implied) subject. 'Paw' stays in the nominative after 'jak' when comparing attributes. The structure 'adjective + jak + noun' is a very common pattern for Polish similes: głupi jak but (stupid as a boot), zimny jak lód (cold as ice).

  Cultural context

  The peacock as a symbol of pride appears across European cultures, and Polish is no exception. The phrase is used across all registers — from casual conversation to literature. It is most often slightly ironic or teasing rather than a straight compliment. A parent might say it proudly about a child dressed up for a performance, or a friend might say it mockingly about a colleague who got a promotion.

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