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  What it means

  Literally “silence is gold,” this is the Polish version of the universal proverb “silence is golden.” It advises that it is often wiser and more valuable to say nothing than to speak — whether to avoid conflict, to keep a secret, or to let a situation resolve itself. It is used to counsel restraint in speech, especially when speaking would be harmful or pointless.

  Vocabulary

  • milczenie — silence (verbal noun from milczeć — to be silent)
  • milczeć — to be silent, to keep quiet (imperfective)
  • jest — is (3rd person singular of być)
  • złotem — gold (instrumental of złoto)
  • złoto — gold (neuter noun)

  Grammar note

  In Polish, the predicate noun after 'być' (to be) takes the instrumental case: 'złotem' is the instrumental of 'złoto.' This pattern — 'X jest Y-em/Y-ą' — is the standard way to express 'X is Y' when describing identity or quality. 'Milczenie' is a verbal noun (rzeczownik odczasownikowy) derived from the verb 'milczeć.'

  Cultural context

  The phrase is universally known in Poland and carries the same weight and meaning as the English 'silence is golden.' It is neutral in register and suitable for all contexts. It is sometimes cited as a half-proverb, with the implied second half being 'a mowa jest srebrem' (and speech is silver), though this completion is less often heard.

  Beginner

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