Gra w kiery wyrabia maniery.
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What it means
“Playing hearts builds manners.” A rhyming saying suggesting that card games — particularly hearts — teach social graces and etiquette. Often used humorously.
Vocabulary
- gra — game, play
- kiery — hearts (card suit)
- wyrabiać — to develop, to build (habits)
- maniery — manners
Grammar note
'Gra w kiery' — 'w' with the accusative to express the game being played. 'Wyrabia' is third-person singular present of 'wyrabiać'.
Cultural context
The rhyme (kiery / maniery) gives this saying its memorable quality. Card games were a staple of Polish social life.
Intermediate
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