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  What it means

  Literally “young wolf,” this describes an ambitious, aggressive, and highly competitive young person. It is the Polish equivalent of a “young go-getter” or a “shark” in the business world. It implies someone who is hungry for success and willing to fight their way to the top.

  Vocabulary

  • młody — young
  • wilk — wolf
  • kariera — career

  Grammar note

  A simple adjective-noun pair in the nominative. Metaphorical use of animal traits is very common in Polish idiomatic speech.

  Cultural context

  The term became a staple of Polish pop culture in the 90s, symbolizing the first generation of aggressive capitalists after the fall of communism.

  Intermediate

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