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  What it means

  Literally “What is out of the eyes, is out of the heart.” The proverb means that when someone or something is no longer present or visible in our lives, we gradually stop thinking and caring about it emotionally as well. It reflects the human tendency to let feelings fade when there is no ongoing contact. Poles use it when explaining why a friendship cooled, why a long-distance relationship failed, or simply to note that absence really does erode attachment.

  English equivalent

  Out of sight, out of mind.

  Vocabulary

  • co — what, that which
  • z oczu — out of sight (literally: from the eyes); genitive plural of oko
  • z serca — from the heart; genitive of serce

  Grammar note

  Both 'oczu' and 'serca' are in the genitive case, governed by the preposition 'z' (from, out of). The construction 'co z X, to z Y' (what goes from X, goes from Y) is a classic parallel genitive pattern very common in Polish proverbs. Note that 'oko' has the irregular genitive plural 'oczu' rather than the expected 'ok'.

  Cultural context

  Neutral register, widely used in everyday speech about relationships, friendships, and memories. The proverb is often cited in discussions of long-distance relationships or estranged friendships, and can carry either a resigned or a warning tone depending on context.

  Beginner

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