Gdy w styczniu deszcz leje, złe robi nadzieje
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What it means
“When it rains in January, it makes for bad hopes.” Rain in January — instead of snow — is a bad omen for the year ahead, suggesting poor harvests or difficult seasons to come.
Vocabulary
- styczeń — January
- deszcz — rain
- lać — to pour, to rain heavily
- zły — bad, evil
- nadzieja — hope
Grammar note
'Złe robi nadzieje' — 'złe' modifies 'nadzieje' (accusative plural of 'nadzieja'). 'Robić nadzieje' means 'to give/make hopes'.
Cultural context
In the Polish agricultural tradition, a snowy January was considered essential for good soil moisture and a successful growing season. Rain instead of snow was seen as a disruption of the natural order.
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