Nie toż macocha, co matka
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What it means
“A stepmother is not the same as a mother.” A stepparent, however kind, is not a substitute for a biological parent. The bond of a natural mother is unique.
Vocabulary
- toż — the same as (archaic/emphatic particle)
- macocha — stepmother
- matka — mother
Grammar note
'Toż' is an archaic emphatic particle combining 'to' and 'że'. The sentence is a simple nominal predicate with no verb.
Cultural context
Stepmothers appear frequently in Polish folk tales and proverbs, often in a negative light — a reflection of historical family structures.
Intermediate
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