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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.

  Beginner

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