Raz na wozie, raz pod wozem
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What it means
“Sometimes on the cart, sometimes under the cart.” Life has good and bad times. Luck changes: today you may be on top, tomorrow at the bottom.
English equivalent
What goes up must come down. / Life has its ups and downs.
Vocabulary
- wóz — cart, wagon
- raz — once, sometimes
- na — on (+ locative)
- pod — under (+ instrumental)
Grammar note
'Na wozie' is the locative of 'wóz' (on the cart). 'Pod wozem' is the instrumental of 'wóz' (under the cart). The contrast of the two cases mirrors the contrast of fortune.
Beginner
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