W nocy wszystkie koty są czarne
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What it means
“At night all cats are black.” In the dark, differences disappear — people, things, and situations that seem distinct by day become indistinguishable. Often used to suggest that moral or social distinctions blur in certain circumstances.
English equivalent
All cats are grey in the dark.
Vocabulary
- noc — night
- kot — cat
- czarny — black
Grammar note
'W nocy' uses the locative of 'noc' after 'w'. 'Wszystkie koty' is the nominative plural subject; 'czarne' is the predicate adjective in the nominative plural.
Cultural context
A direct equivalent of the pan-European proverb. Used in Polish to comment on situations where distinctions are erased.
Beginner
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