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  What it means

  “In Poland, apparently only fish don’t take bribes.” This sarcastic saying comments on corruption in public life. Fish cannot take bribes, so the joke is that everyone else can be bought.

  Vocabulary

  • podobno — apparently, supposedly
  • ryba — fish
  • brać — to take (here: to accept bribes)

  Grammar note

  'Nie biorą' is the third-person plural negated present of 'brać'. 'Tylko ryby' is the nominative plural subject.

  Cultural context

  A cynical proverb reflecting historical attitudes toward corruption in Polish public life.

  Intermediate

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