Spojrzeć prawdzie w oczy
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What it means
Literally “to look truth in the eyes.” Means to face reality honestly, to stop avoiding an uncomfortable truth and acknowledge it directly.
Vocabulary
- spojrzeć — to look / to glance (perfective)
- prawda — truth
- prawdzie — truth (dative)
- w oczy — in the eyes (accusative plural)
Grammar note
'Prawdzie' is the dative of 'prawda' — the indirect object of 'spojrzeć w oczy'. The construction mirrors 'spojrzeć komuś w oczy' (to look someone in the eyes), with 'prawda' personified.
Cultural context
The personification of truth as something you can look in the eye is widespread across European languages. In Polish it carries a strong moral connotation of courage and honesty.
Intermediate
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