polski.directory

[ Learn Polish. All resources, one place. ]
  • Listen

    What it means

    Literally, “Even the gallows is more pleasant in company.” It says that a hard time, even death, can feel easier when it is shared. People use it as dark humour when they join others in an unpleasant task or face a bad situation together.

    English equivalent

    Misery loves company.

    Vocabulary

    • nawet — even
    • szubienica — gallows, gibbet
    • milsza — more pleasant, sweeter (feminine comparative form of 'miły')
    • w towarzystwie — in company, among others ('towarzystwo' = company/society, locative case)

    Grammar note

    'Milsza' is the feminine comparative adjective agreeing with 'szubienica' (gallows, feminine noun). The prepositional phrase 'w towarzystwie' uses the locative case of 'towarzystwo.' The structure is a simple predicate: subject + adjective complement + prepositional modifier.

    Cultural context

    The saying belongs to Polish czarny humor, or black humour. Friends may use it informally and self-mockingly when facing an unpleasant task together. It does not fit a formal setting.

    Advanced

Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!

More Polish proverbs