Syn mój, a rozum u niego swój
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What it means
“My son, but his mind is his own.” Children grow up to think for themselves, regardless of what their parents believe or want. A wry acknowledgement that offspring don’t simply inherit their parents’ views.
Vocabulary
- syn — son
- rozum — mind, reason, sense
- swój — one's own
Grammar note
'U niego' is a genitive construction meaning 'he has' (literally 'at him'). 'Swój' is a reflexive possessive pronoun referring back to the subject.
Cultural context
Often said with a mixture of pride and exasperation by parents whose children have developed independent — sometimes inconvenient — opinions.
Intermediate
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