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  What it means

  Literally “There is no family in bad hours.” This proverb bitterly observes that when times are hard, family members often disappear or fail to help — true loyalty and support are rare even among relatives. It’s used cynically when someone has been let down by their own kin during a crisis. The saying captures a pessimistic wisdom about human nature: people who were close in good times may be absent in times of need.

  English equivalent

  A friend in need is a friend indeed. (used inversely — pointing out the absence of support)

  Vocabulary

  • rodzina — family
  • we złe godziny — in bad hours, in hard times ('godziny' = hours, accusative plural; 'złe' = bad)
  • nie ma — there is no, there are none (negation of 'mieć' / existential 'być')

  Grammar note

  'Nie ma' is the negated existential construction — 'nie ma rodziny' means 'there is no family (to be found).' The phrase 'we złe godziny' uses the accusative plural of 'godzina' (hour), with 'we' as the softened form of 'w' before consonant clusters. This is a set temporal expression meaning 'in hard times.'

  Cultural context

  This proverb reflects a streak of realism and occasional cynicism in Polish folk wisdom about family loyalty. It is used in everyday conversation when expressing disappointment in relatives. The tone is bitter but resigned rather than angry. It resonates with Polish historical experiences of hardship where community bonds were tested repeatedly.

  Intermediate

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