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  What it means

  Literally, “sincere friendship does not die.” Genuine friendship lasts even when friends are separated by distance or changing circumstances. The saying can encourage friends or comfort someone whose close friend has moved away.

  English equivalent

  A friend in need is a friend indeed.

  Vocabulary

  • przyjaźń — friendship (feminine noun)
  • szczera — sincere, honest, genuine (feminine adjective agreeing with przyjaźń)
  • umierać / umiera — to die (imperfective); 'nie umiera' = does not die

  Grammar note

  'Umierać' is imperfective, so it describes an ongoing state rather than one completed event. The perfective 'umrzeć' would describe a single death. The adjective 'szczera' agrees with the feminine nominative noun 'przyjaźń'.

  Cultural context

  This warm, sentimental proverb appears on friendship cards and in toasts or farewells. Its rhyme, 'szczera / umiera', helps it stay memorable.

  Beginner

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