Jak się córka urodzi, to jakby się siedmiu złodziei do komory podkopało
Listen
What it means
When a daughter is born, it is as if seven thieves had tunnelled into the storeroom. An old proverb reflecting the historical economic burden placed on families with daughters (dowry costs, etc.).
Vocabulary
- córka — daughter
- urodzić się — to be born
- złodziej — thief
- komora — storeroom, chamber
- podkopać się — to tunnel in, to burrow in
Grammar note
'Jakby' introduces a hypothetical comparison. 'Podkopało' is past tense neuter (agreeing with the implied collective subject).
Cultural context
Reflects old patriarchal attitudes about daughters as a financial liability. Cited today as a historical curiosity.
Advanced
Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!
More Polish proverbs
- "A stepmother, even if made of sugar, is always bitter." No matter how kind a stepmother tries to …
- "For a wise head, two words are enough." A clever person needs only a brief hint to understand; …
- "A Pole is wise after the damage is done." Poles (or people in general) tend to learn from mistakes …
- "The wise will accept advice; the fool will scorn it." Intelligent people are open to counsel, while …