Kto nie słucha matki, ten pójdzie za kratki
Listen
What it means
“He who doesn’t listen to his mother will end up behind bars.” Disobeying parental guidance leads to a life of crime and imprisonment.
English equivalent
Mother knows best.
Vocabulary
- słuchać — to listen to, to obey
- matka — mother
- pójść — to go
- kratki — bars (of a prison cell)
Grammar note
'Matki' is the genitive of 'matka', governed by 'słuchać'. 'Za kratki' uses the accusative after 'za' to indicate movement towards a destination.
Cultural context
The rhyme 'matki / kratki' makes this a memorable warning to children.
Beginner
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