Od świętej Anny nie doczeka południa deszcz poranny
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What it means
“After Saint Anne’s Day, morning rain won’t last until noon.” From late July onwards, morning showers clear up quickly and don’t persist through the day. A practical weather observation for farmers and travellers.
English equivalent
Morning rain, evening sun.
Vocabulary
- święta — saint (feminine)
- Anna — Anne (saint's name, formal form)
- nie doczekać — not to last until, not to live to see
- południe — noon, midday
- deszcz — rain
- poranny — morning (adjective)
Grammar note
'Nie doczeka południa' — 'południa' is the genitive of 'południe', required after the perfective verb 'doczekać' with negation. 'Deszcz poranny' is the subject in nominative.
Cultural context
Uses the formal 'Anna' rather than the familiar 'Anka', giving it a slightly more literary feel. The proverb reflects the meteorological reality of late-July weather patterns in Poland.
Intermediate
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