Chcesz córuni, podobaj się wprzód mamuni.
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What it means
“If you want the daughter, first win over the mother.” To court a girl successfully, you must first make a good impression on her mother. Practical folk advice about family dynamics.
Vocabulary
- córunia — daughter (affectionate)
- podobać się — to please, to be liked by
- wprzód — first, beforehand (archaic)
- mamunia — mummy, mother (affectionate)
Grammar note
'Chcesz' + genitive: 'córuni' is the genitive of the diminutive 'córunia'. 'Podobaj się' is the imperative of 'podobać się'.
Cultural context
The affectionate diminutives (córunia, mamunia) give this proverb a warm, humorous tone typical of folk speech.
Intermediate
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