Nie od razu Kraków zbudowano
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What it means
“Kraków wasn’t built in a day.” Used to encourage patience — great things take time and cannot be rushed. A reminder that complex achievements require sustained effort.
English equivalent
Rome wasn't built in a day.
Vocabulary
- od razu — at once, immediately, right away
- zbudowano — was built (impersonal past passive)
Grammar note
'Zbudowano' is an impersonal passive construction using the neuter past form. 'Nie od razu' negates the immediacy.
Cultural context
Kraków is Poland's historic royal capital, making it the natural Polish stand-in for Rome in this proverb.
Beginner
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