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  What it means

  Literally: “holy words.” This exclamation is used to wholeheartedly agree with something someone has just said — equivalent to “truer words were never spoken” or “you said it” in English. A Pole says “święte słowa!” when they feel that what the other person expressed is so correct, wise, or apt that they couldn’t have put it better themselves. It carries a tone of enthusiastic, almost reverent agreement. Depending on context it can be sincere (approving a wise observation) or lightly humorous (emphatically agreeing with a minor complaint).

  Vocabulary

  • święte — holy, sacred (neuter plural adjective agreeing with 'słowa')
  • słowa — words (nominative plural of 'słowo')

  Grammar note

  The phrase is a nominative noun phrase functioning as a standalone exclamation. 'Święte' is the neuter plural form of the adjective 'święty' (holy/sacred), agreeing with the neuter plural noun 'słowa' (words). It is typically used as a complete utterance in response to something just said, not embedded in a longer sentence.

  Cultural context

  A very common, neutral-register expression used across all age groups in everyday conversation. The adjective 'święty' gives it a slightly biblical ring, but the phrase is fully modern and colloquial in use. The closest English equivalents are 'truer words were never spoken', 'you said it', 'exactly!', or 'spot on'.

  Beginner

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