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  What it means

  “Marcin taught Marcin, yet he himself is as stupid as a pig.” It mocks someone who tries to teach others while knowing little themselves. Repeating the name makes the joke more pointed.

  English equivalent

  The pot calling the kettle black. / Physician, heal thyself.

  Vocabulary

  • uczyć — to teach
  • głupi — stupid, foolish
  • świnia — pig
  • sam — himself, alone

  Grammar note

  'Uczył' is the masculine past tense of 'uczyć'. In 'głupi jak świnia', 'jak' introduces a comparison; 'świnia' stays in the nominative after 'jak'.

  Cultural context

  The name Marcin (Martin) stands for an ordinary man here. Comparing someone to a pig is a strong folk insult.

  Intermediate

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