Obiecanki cacanki, a głupiemu radość
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What it means
“Promises are just sweet nothings, and only a fool rejoices at them.” Empty promises can sound nice, but only a naive person believes them fully. Do not celebrate until the deed is done.
English equivalent
Promises are like pie crust, made to be broken.
Vocabulary
- obiecanki — promises (diminutive, slightly dismissive)
- cacanki — sweet nothings, trifles (rhyming filler word)
- głupi — fool, stupid person
- radość — joy, delight
Grammar note
'Głupiemu' is the dative singular of 'głupi', indicating the recipient of the joy. The rhyme 'obiecanki–cacanki' is a deliberate folk rhyme that underscores the emptiness of promises.
Cultural context
The rhyming pair 'obiecanki cacanki' is a fixed Polish expression used to dismiss empty promises.
Beginner
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