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  What it means

  Literally: “He who likes each other, quarrels with each other.” The proverb captures the paradox that people who are close — friends, lovers, siblings — are also the ones most likely to bicker and clash. The rhyme makes it memorable and gives it a light, almost playful tone. Poles use it affectionately to excuse minor quarrels between people who genuinely care for each other, implying that the conflict is a sign of intimacy rather than hostility.

  English equivalent

  The course of true love never did run smooth.

  Vocabulary

  • kto — who / whoever
  • się lubi — likes each other / is fond of each other (reflexive form of 'lubić')
  • ten — that one / he (demonstrative pronoun, resuming the subject)
  • się czubi — quarrels / squabbles (reflexive of 'czubić się', informal verb for bickering)

  Grammar note

  The structure 'Kto … ten …' is a classic Polish proverb pattern equivalent to 'He who … (he) …' — 'kto' introduces the condition and 'ten' resumes the subject for the result. Both verbs carry the reflexive 'się': 'lubić się' means to like each other (mutual), and 'czubić się' means to quarrel (also mutual/reciprocal). The rhyme between 'lubi' and 'czubi' is deliberate and aids memorability.

  Cultural context

  The verb 'czubić się' is informal and slightly humorous, which sets the tone for the whole proverb — it is used warmly rather than critically. The saying is often quoted with a smile when two people who clearly like each other are caught in a minor argument. It reflects a folk understanding that passion and conflict go hand in hand in close relationships.

  Beginner

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