Kto za młodu ojca, matki nie słucha, ten na starość byczej skóry posłucha
Listen
What it means
“Whoever in youth doesn’t listen to their father and mother will in old age listen to ox-hide.” Those who ignore parental guidance when young will suffer the consequences later — ‘ox-hide’ refers to a whip or harsh punishment.
English equivalent
If you won't hear reason, she'll surely make you feel her.
Vocabulary
- za młodu — in youth, when young
- słuchać — to listen to, to obey
- starość — old age
- byczy — ox, bull (adjective)
- skóra — skin, hide, leather
Grammar note
'Na starość' uses the accusative after 'na' to express a future time. 'Byczej skóry' is the genitive of 'byczy skóra'.
Cultural context
The 'byczy skóra' (ox-hide) alludes to a leather strap or whip used as punishment, a common disciplinary image in older Polish rural life.
Intermediate
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