Bogatemu to i byk się ocieli.
-
Listen
What it means
“For the rich man, even a bull will calve.” The lucky and wealthy seem to defy nature itself — impossible things happen in their favour. Fortune bends the rules for those who already have plenty.
English equivalent
Everything goes right for the lucky.
Vocabulary
- bogaty — rich (person)
- byk — bull
- ocielić się — to calve (give birth, said of a cow)
Grammar note
'Bogatemu' — dative of benefit. 'Się ocieli' — reflexive perfective future of 'ocielić się', normally only possible for a cow.
Cultural context
The absurdist image of a bull calving makes the proverb memorable and darkly humorous.
Intermediate
Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!