• Listen

  What it means

  Literally “A bad father rarely has a good son.” The proverb asserts that parenting shapes character: a father who sets a poor example, neglects his duties, or behaves badly seldom raises a son with good values. It reflects the traditional Polish view of the family as the primary moral institution, where parents bear direct responsibility for their children’s character. The proverb can be extended to any mentorship relationship.

  English equivalent

  Like father, like son.

  Vocabulary

  • zły — bad, poor (nominative masculine singular)
  • ojciec — father (nominative singular)
  • rzadko — rarely, seldom
  • ma — has (third-person singular of 'mieć')
  • dobrego — good (genitive singular masculine of 'dobry')
  • syna — son (genitive singular of 'syn')

  Grammar note

  'Dobrego syna' is genitive singular, required after the verb 'mieć' (to have) when the object is negated or partial — here implied by 'rzadko' (rarely), giving the construction a negative flavour. 'Zły ojciec' is nominative. 'Ma' is the irregular third-person singular of 'mieć': mam, masz, ma, mamy, macie, mają.

  Cultural context

  This proverb is used in serious or reflective contexts — discussions about upbringing, family dysfunction, or the roots of social problems. It is more formal in tone than many Polish proverbs and appears in literature and journalism. It can be quoted critically to hold parents accountable, or compassionately to explain how bad behaviour is passed down through generations.

  Beginner

Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!