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  What it means

  Literally “A poor ballerina is bothered even by the hem of her skirt,” this proverb is used to mock people who make up ridiculous excuses for their failures. It suggests that a lack of skill is the real problem, not the minor external factors they blame. It is the perfect retort for someone complaining that their tools or environment are the reason they can’t do a job.

  Vocabulary

  • baletnica — ballerina
  • przeszkadzać — to bother / to hinder
  • rąbek — hem / edge
  • spódnica — skirt

  Grammar note

  'Złej baletnicy' is in the dative case because the verb 'przeszkadzać' always requires the dative to show who is being bothered.

  Cultural context

  This is one of Poland's most famous proverbs regarding competence. It is often shortened in conversation to just "Złej baletnicy..." as most Poles know the rest of the rhyme.

  Intermediate

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