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  What it means

  Literally “The wolf is full and the sheep is whole.” The proverb describes an ideal outcome where two parties with opposing interests both get what they want — nobody loses. It is the Polish equivalent of “having your cake and eating it too,” but with a positive spin: the clever solution satisfies everyone. Poles use it to praise a deal, compromise, or plan that seems to please all sides without sacrificing anything.

  English equivalent

  Have your cake and eat it too.

  Vocabulary

  • wilk — wolf (nominative singular)
  • syty — satiated, full (masculine nominative)
  • owca — sheep (nominative singular, feminine)
  • cała — whole, intact (feminine nominative)

  Grammar note

  Both predicate adjectives ('syty', 'cała') are in the nominative case, agreeing with their subjects ('wilk' masculine, 'owca' feminine). The conjunction 'i' (and) links the two independent clauses. The verb 'być' (to be) is again omitted, as is common in Polish proverbs and set phrases.

  Cultural context

  This is one of the most widely recognised Polish proverbs and is used in both formal and informal contexts — in journalism, political commentary, and everyday speech. It can be said approvingly ('we found a solution — wilk syty i owca cała!') or sceptically ('they're promising wilk syty i owca cała, but that's impossible').

  Beginner

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