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  What it means

  Literally “Every wagtail praises its own tail.” The wagtail (pliszka) is a small bird famous for constantly wagging its tail, so each one naturally shows off the feature it has. The proverb means that everyone tends to praise and boast about their own possessions, abilities, or work above others’. It is used with gentle irony or amusement when someone is being self-congratulatory or dismissing competitors’ work.

  English equivalent

  Every cook praises their own broth / Every ass loves to hear himself bray.

  Vocabulary

  • pliszka — wagtail (a small bird known for wagging its tail); feminine nominative singular
  • swój — one's own; reflexive possessive pronoun referring back to the subject
  • ogon — tail; accusative singular (nominative: ogon)
  • chwali — praises; 3rd person singular present of chwalić (to praise, to boast about)

  Grammar note

  'Swój' refers back to the subject ('każda pliszka') and must agree in gender and number — here it is masculine accusative because it modifies 'ogon' (masculine). 'Ogon' is the direct object in the accusative case. The verb 'chwalić' (to praise) is imperfective, describing a habitual or ongoing action.

  Cultural context

  Neutral to lightly humorous register. The image of the wagtail showing off its signature tail gives the proverb a charming, observational quality. It is one of several Polish proverbs about self-praise (another is 'Każdy kucharz chwali swój rosół' — every cook praises their own broth). Used when someone is being overly self-promotional or dismissive of others' work.

  Beginner

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