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  What it means

  Literally, “Time heals wounds.” The proverb asserts that emotional pain — grief, heartbreak, loss, or hurt feelings — naturally fades as time passes, even without direct action. It is most often offered as consolation to someone going through a difficult period. Poles use it in a compassionate, empathetic tone to encourage patience during hardship. The same sentiment exists across many cultures, making it one of the most universally recognisable Polish proverbs.

  English equivalent

  Time heals all wounds.

  Vocabulary

  • czas — time (masculine noun, nominative singular)
  • leczyć — to heal, to treat, to cure (imperfective verb)
  • leczy — heals (third-person singular present of leczyć)
  • rana — wound (feminine noun; plural: rany)
  • rany — wounds (accusative plural of rana)

  Grammar note

  'Rany' is the accusative plural of the feminine noun 'rana.' In Polish, the accusative plural of feminine -a nouns typically ends in -y or -i. The verb 'leczy' is imperfective, emphasising that healing is a gradual, ongoing process rather than a sudden one. The sentence structure is simple subject–verb–object: 'Czas' (subject) 'leczy' (verb) 'rany' (object).

  Cultural context

  This proverb is used across all registers — from casual comforting conversation to formal eulogies — making it one of the most versatile in Polish. It is often heard in the context of relationships, bereavement, and illness. The identical proverb exists in English, German, French, and many other European languages. In Polish it has appeared in literature, song lyrics, and film dialogue.

  Beginner

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