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  What it means

  Literally: “Better to prevent than to cure.” It is wiser and easier to stop a problem early than to deal with it later. Poles use it in health advice and everyday life, for example when fixing a leaky roof before winter or talking through a problem before it grows. It values planning ahead.

  English equivalent

  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

  Vocabulary

  • lepiej — better (comparative adverb)
  • zapobiegać — to prevent, to stop in advance (imperfective verb)
  • niż — than (used in comparisons)
  • leczyć — to treat, to cure (imperfective verb)

  Grammar note

  The proverb uses the infinitives of two imperfective verbs: 'zapobiegać' (to prevent) and 'leczyć' (to treat or cure). 'Niż' means "than" and makes the comparison, much like "it is better to X than to Y" in English. 'Lepiej' is the comparative form of 'dobrze' (well).

  Cultural context

  This proverb appears in Polish public health messages and everyday advice. Its tone is practical and neutral. Preparing for winter and saving limited supplies mattered in rural life, so the idea has long been familiar.

  Beginner

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