Nie śmierdzieć groszem
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What it means
Literally “to not smell of a grosz (penny).” If someone “doesn’t smell of money,” it means they are very poor or currently have no cash at all. It’s a slightly humorous, slightly derogatory way to describe being broke.
Vocabulary
- śmierdzieć — to stink / smell bad
- grosz — grosz (1/100 of a złoty)
- biedny — poor
Grammar note
The verb 'śmierdzieć' requires the instrumental case ('groszem').
Cultural context
Even though the 'grosz' is worth very little, not even "smelling" like one emphasizes total poverty.
Intermediate
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