Zupka chińska
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What it means
Literally “Chinese soup.” The Polish name for instant noodles (ramen-style). Colloquially used to represent cheap, student-budget food.
Vocabulary
- zupka — little soup (diminutive)
- chiński — Chinese
Grammar note
Diminutive 'zupka' from 'zupa'. Adjective 'chińska' agrees in feminine nominative.
Cultural context
A staple of Polish student life since the 1990s. Saying someone lives on 'zupki chińskie' implies they are broke or living very frugally.
Beginner
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