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  What it means

  Literally: “Strike the iron while it’s hot.” The proverb means: seize an opportunity when it appears, because good conditions do not last forever. Just as a blacksmith must hammer iron while it is still hot and soft enough to shape from the forge, once it cools, it becomes rigid and unworkable, so too must a person act quickly when the moment is right. Poles use this idiom to encourage swift action, especially when someone is hesitating or procrastinating.

  English equivalent

  Strike while the iron is hot.

  Vocabulary

  • kuć — to forge, to hammer (imperfective infinitive)
  • żelazo — iron (the metal)
  • póki — while, as long as
  • gorące — hot (neuter adjective agreeing with 'żelazo')

  Grammar note

  The infinitive 'kuć' (to forge) makes this phrase function as an instruction or command, an infinitive used imperatively is a common feature of proverbs and set phrases in Polish ('Nie mówić!', 'Nie palić!'). 'Póki' introduces a temporal clause meaning 'as long as' or 'while still.' 'Gorące' agrees with neuter 'żelazo' in the nominative.

  Cultural context

  This proverb exists in very similar form across many European languages, reflecting the shared craft tradition of blacksmithing. In Polish it is among the most commonly cited proverbs and is used in business, sport, politics, and everyday life. The exact form 'kuć żelazo póki gorące' is standard, but it is also sometimes shortened to just 'póki żelazo gorące.'

  Beginner

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