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  What it means

  Literally “as they say.” A discourse marker used to introduce a common saying, cliché, or well-known expression, signalling that what follows is a recognized phrase rather than the speaker’s original words. It frames folk wisdom, proverbs, or popular expressions as belonging to shared cultural knowledge rather than personal opinion.

  Vocabulary

  • jak — as, like, how
  • mówią — they say (3rd person plural present of 'mówić')

  Grammar note

  'Mówią' is the third-person plural present tense of 'mówić' (to say/speak), an imperfective verb. The subject is an implicit, impersonal 'they' — no subject pronoun is needed in Polish. This impersonal third-person plural construction is very common for expressing general customs or sayings.

  Cultural context

  Functions like English 'as they say' or 'as the saying goes.' Neutral register, used in both formal and informal speech. Often precedes a proverb or idiom to frame it as received wisdom. It can also introduce something the speaker considers a cliché or stereotype.

  Beginner

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