Dzieci i ryby głosu nie mają
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What it means
Children should be seen and not heard — they have no say in adult matters. Often used humorously to silence children.
Vocabulary
- dzieci — children
- ryby — fish
- głos — voice, say
Grammar note
'Głosu nie mają' — genitive of negation: 'głosu' (genitive) rather than 'głos' (accusative) because of the negated verb 'mają'.
Cultural context
A traditional proverb reflecting older attitudes toward children's roles in the family. Today often used ironically.
Beginner
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