Mądry Polak po szkodzie
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What it means
“A Pole is wise after the damage is done.” Poles, or people in general, often learn from mistakes only after facing the results. It is a self-mocking proverb about learning too late.
English equivalent
Hindsight is 20/20. / Locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Vocabulary
- mądry — wise, clever
- szkoda — damage, harm, loss
- po — after (here: following)
Grammar note
'Po szkodzie' uses the locative form of 'szkoda' after 'po', meaning 'after'.
Cultural context
This is one of Poland's best-known proverbs. It is often said with irony and dates back at least to the 16th century.
Beginner
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