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  What it means

  “Whether you are from Lithuania or Kyiv, if you have money in your purse, Warsaw will take you in.” Money opens doors whatever your background. The saying says that the capital welcomes people with means and that wealth can outweigh differences of origin.

  English equivalent

  Money talks.

  Vocabulary

  • mieszk — purse, money pouch (archaic)
  • schować — to hide, to shelter, to take in
  • gdy — when, if
  • masz — you have (2nd person singular of mieć)

  Grammar note

  'Gdy masz co w mieszku' means 'when or if you have something in your purse'; 'co' means 'something.' 'Schowa' is the third-person singular future of 'schować'.

  Cultural context

  Reflects Warsaw's historical role as a cosmopolitan trading hub drawing merchants from Lithuania, Ukraine, and beyond.

  Intermediate

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