Baju, baju – będziesz w raju.
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What it means
“Lullaby, lullaby — you’ll be in paradise.” Sweet-sounding promises that will never come true. Used ironically of someone who makes comforting noises or empty guarantees to keep others quiet or compliant.
English equivalent
Pie in the sky.
Vocabulary
- baju baju — lullaby sounds (nonsense syllables sung to soothe children)
- będziesz — you will be (2nd person singular future of być)
- raj — paradise, heaven; w raju = in paradise (locative)
Grammar note
'W raju' is the locative of 'raj'. The future tense 'będziesz' is formed with the auxiliary 'będzie' contracted into the personal ending.
Cultural context
The opening 'baju baju' mimics lullaby refrains, giving the proverb a lulling, deceptive quality — you're being sung to sleep with false promises.
Beginner
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