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  What it means

  “One needs heaven, but one also needs bread.” A fuller, more balanced version of the same idea: spiritual life is important, but practical, earthly needs cannot be ignored either.

  English equivalent

  Man does not live by bread alone — but he does need bread.

  Vocabulary

  • trzeba — one needs, it is necessary
  • niebo — heaven, sky
  • trza — one must (dialectal/archaic form of 'trzeba')
  • chleb — bread

  Grammar note

  The proverb uses both 'trzeba' and its dialectal variant 'trza' for rhythmic effect. Both govern the genitive: 'nieba', 'chleba'.

  Cultural context

  The use of 'trza' alongside 'trzeba' gives the proverb a folk, regional flavour, suggesting oral transmission across generations.

  Intermediate

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