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  What it means

  “The ox forgot what it was like to be a calf.” Said of people who have grown old or successful and no longer remember the struggles of their youth or beginnings. A criticism of those who lack empathy for those just starting out.

  English equivalent

  The old forget what it was to be young.

  Vocabulary

  • wół — ox
  • cielę — calf
  • pamiętać — to remember

  Grammar note

  'Cielęciem' is the instrumental case of 'cielę', used after 'być' (to be): 'był cielęciem' — he was a calf.

  Cultural context

  The agricultural imagery of ox and calf reflects the rural origins of Polish proverbial wisdom.

  Intermediate

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