Kto rano wstaje, temu Pan Bóg daje
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What it means
Literally “he who rises early, God gives to him.” The Polish equivalent of “the early bird catches the worm.”
Vocabulary
- rano — early / in the morning
- wstawać — to get up / to rise
- dawać — to give
Grammar note
'Temu' is the dative of 'ten' (to that one / to him). Classic proverb structure: 'Kto + verb, temu + verb.'
Cultural context
The reference to 'Pan Bóg' (the Lord God) reflects Poland's deep Catholic heritage woven into everyday expression.
Intermediate
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