Kuć żelazo, póki gorące
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What it means
Literally “strike the iron while it’s hot.” Means to act at the right moment, to seize an opportunity before it passes — “strike while the iron is hot.”
Vocabulary
- kuć — to forge, to strike (metal)
- żelazo — iron
- póki — while, as long as
- gorący — hot
Grammar note
'Gorące' is nominative neuter agreeing with 'żelazo'. 'Póki' introduces a temporal clause of simultaneity.
Cultural context
A blacksmithing metaphor — iron can only be shaped while hot. Poland's strong craft tradition makes this image very natural.
Beginner
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