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  What it means

  Literally “book moth,” this is the Polish equivalent of the English “bookworm.” It describes someone who spends a vast amount of time reading and is often found with their nose in a book. While it sounds like it might be an insult, it is generally used as a neutral or even endearing term to describe a passionate reader.

  Vocabulary

  • mól — moth
  • książkowy — book-related (adjective)
  • czytać — to read
  • biblioteka — library

  Grammar note

  'Książkowy' is an adjective derived from the noun 'książka.' In Polish, the modifier usually follows the noun in these types of idiomatic pairings (Mól + książkowy).

  Cultural context

  The imagery refers to clothes moths that eat through fabric, suggesting the reader "devours" books in a similar way. It’s a very common term in schools and libraries.

  Beginner

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