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  What it means

  Literally: “The shirt is closer to the body.” The proverb means that your own interests and the people closest to you, such as family and friends, come before strangers or the wider community. It is said when someone puts themselves or their inner circle first, sometimes to explain it and sometimes as mild criticism. A shirt touches the skin, so it matters more than an outer garment.

  English equivalent

  Charity begins at home.

  Vocabulary

  • bliższa — closer (feminine comparative of bliski)
  • koszula — shirt
  • ciału — to the body (dative of ciało)

  Grammar note

  "Bliższa" is the feminine nominative comparative of "bliski" (close), agreeing with "koszula" (feminine). "Ciału" is the dative of "ciało". Polish uses the dative for the point of comparison: closer to the body. The verb "jest" is omitted, as is common in proverbs.

  Cultural context

  This is the shorter and more common form of the proverb. It is understood in all settings. Depending on the context, it can be neutral or mildly critical, explaining selfish behaviour or simply recognising human nature.

  Beginner

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