polski.directory

[ Learn Polish. All resources, one place. ]
  • Listen

    What it means

    Literally “olive branch.” The universal symbol of peace, reconciliation, and goodwill. Used in Polish exactly as in English — to extend an olive branch means to make a gesture of peace or offer to resolve a conflict.

    Vocabulary

    • gałązka — small branch, twig (diminutive of 'gałąź')
    • oliwna — olive (adjective, feminine)

    Grammar note

    'Oliwna' is a feminine nominative adjective agreeing with 'gałązka'.

    Cultural context

    The image comes from the biblical story of Noah's ark, where a dove returns with an olive branch signalling the end of the flood.

    Beginner

Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!

More Polish idioms

  • Literally "one's whole life flew past before the eyes," this phrase describes the vivid, involuntary …
    Intermediate
  • Literally "for an example," na przykład is the standard Polish phrase for "for example" or "for …
    Beginner
  • Literally "in the last/recent times," ostatnimi czasy is a common temporal phrase meaning "lately," …
    Beginner
  • Literally "in the manner of Judas," this adverb describes acting in a treacherous, backstabbing way …
    Intermediate