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  What it means

  Literally: “The pot was reproaching the pan.” This is the Polish equivalent of “the pot calling the kettle black.” It describes a situation where someone criticises another person for a fault that they themselves possess. The irony is that both the ‘kocioł’ (cauldron/kettle) and ‘garnek’ (pot) are equally blackened by the fire — neither has standing to judge the other. The proverb is used to call out hypocrisy.

  English equivalent

  The pot calling the kettle black.

  Vocabulary

  • przyganiał — was reproaching, was scolding (imperfective past tense of przyganiać)
  • kocioł — cauldron, kettle (masculine noun)
  • garnkowi — to the pot (dative singular of garnek)

  Grammar note

  The verb 'przyganiać' (to reproach, to scold) takes the dative case for its indirect object — the person or thing being scolded. Hence 'garnkowi' (dative) not 'garnek' (accusative). The imperfective past form 'przyganiał' describes an ongoing or habitual past action, giving the scene a timeless, proverbial feel. The full proverb often continues: 'przyganiał kocioł garnkowi — obadwa smołą wytarte' (both blackened with tar).

  Cultural context

  This proverb is one of the most widely used in Polish and is immediately understood by all speakers. It appears frequently in political commentary, family arguments, and online debate. The image of two kitchen objects equally dirty criticising each other perfectly captures the absurdity of hypocrisy. It can be quoted directly or alluded to simply by saying 'kocioł garnkowi' with a knowing look.

  Intermediate

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