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  What it means

  Literally: “No work is shameful.” Honest work is not something to be ashamed of, however modest or physical the job may be. The saying encourages people to take work that is available instead of refusing it through pride or embarrassment. It can also defend the value of manual work.

  English equivalent

  There is no shame in honest work.

  Vocabulary

  • żadna — no, not any (feminine form of żaden, agreeing with praca)
  • praca — work, labor (feminine nominative)
  • hańbi — shames, dishonors (third-person singular of hańbić)
  • hańba — shame, dishonor
  • hańbić — to shame, to bring disgrace upon

  Grammar note

  'Żadna' is the feminine form of the universal negator 'żaden' (none, no), and it agrees in gender and case with 'praca' (feminine nominative). The verb 'hańbić' (to dishonor/shame) is imperfective, expressing a general, ongoing truth. The sentence is a simple subject–verb declaration with no object, giving it a blunt, authoritative tone.

  Cultural context

  The saying has been especially meaningful during hard economic times, when people were encouraged to take any honest work available. Parents, employers, and public speakers still use it. Its tone is neutral to formal.

  Beginner

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