Chłop, co musi, rad uczyni.
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What it means
“A peasant who must, will do it gladly.” When there is no choice, people find a way to be content with what they have to do. Necessity breeds willingness.
English equivalent
Needs must when the devil drives.
Vocabulary
- chłop — peasant, man
- musieć — to have to, must
- rad — gladly, willingly (archaic adjective used adverbially)
- uczynić — to do, to accomplish
Grammar note
'Co musi' is a relative clause: 'who must'. 'Rad uczyni' — 'rad' is an archaic short-form adjective meaning 'glad', used predicatively.
Cultural context
The proverb captures the stoic pragmatism of Polish peasant culture: if you cannot avoid a task, embrace it.
Intermediate
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