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  What it means

  Literally “evil does not sleep.” Trouble, danger, or malicious people are always at work, so you should stay alert. It may refer to a person making plans against you or simply to the fact that trouble can come at any time.

  English equivalent

  The devil never sleeps.

  Vocabulary

  • złe — evil / the bad one (neuter nominative, used as a noun here)
  • nie śpi — does not sleep (third person singular, present tense of spać)

  Grammar note

  Złe is the neuter form of the adjective zły (bad/evil) used as a substantive noun ; a common device in Polish proverbs. The present tense nie śpi expresses a general, timeless truth rather than an action happening right now, which is the hallmark of proverbial statements.

  Cultural context

  In Polish folk and Christian tradition, 'złe' can mean the Devil or bad luck as an ever-watchful enemy. The saying is used casually as a warning, for example after a run of good luck.

  Beginner

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