Kto nie słucha ojca, matki, będą bić go własne dziatki
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What it means
“He who doesn’t listen to his father and mother will be beaten by his own children.” Disrespecting your parents sets a pattern that your own children will repeat against you.
English equivalent
As you sow, so shall you reap.
Vocabulary
- ojciec — father
- matka — mother
- bić — to beat, to hit
- własny — own
- dziatki — little children (archaic/folk diminutive of 'dzieci')
Grammar note
'Ojca' and 'matki' are genitive forms governed by 'słuchać'. 'Dziatki' is an archaic diminutive plural used in folk speech.
Cultural context
Reflects the folk belief in karmic reciprocity within family relationships across generations.
Intermediate
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