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  What it means

  Literally “what two heads, that is not one,” this proverb means that collaboration and pooling ideas produces better results than working alone. Two people thinking together will find a better solution, catch more errors, and see more angles than any single person. For example: “Zastanów się razem z Tomkiem — co dwie głowy, to nie jedna” — “Think it over with Tomek — two heads are better than one.”

  English equivalent

  Two heads are better than one.

  Vocabulary

  • co — what (correlative particle introducing the condition)
  • dwie — two (feminine numeral, agreeing with głowy)
  • głowy — heads (nominative plural of głowa)
  • to — that, then (correlative conjunction introducing the conclusion)
  • jedna — one (feminine numeral adjective)

  Grammar note

  The proverb uses the 'co...to' correlative construction, which in Polish introduces a comparison or consequence: 'what X...that is Y.' The numeral 'dwie' is the feminine form of 'dwa' (two), agreeing with the feminine noun 'głowy.' The implied verb in the conclusion is 'jest' (is), which is omitted in the proverb's clipped style.

  Cultural context

  This is one of the most commonly cited Polish proverbs, used in everyday conversation whenever someone encourages collaboration or asks for a second opinion. It is the direct equivalent of English 'two heads are better than one.' It is universally known across all ages and regions.

  Beginner

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