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  What it means

  Literally: “You can tell a cat by its claws.” The proverb means that a person’s true nature, skill, or character is revealed by their actions, no matter how much they try to hide it. Just as you can identify a cat even in disguise by its sharp claws, you can see through pretence when someone’s real qualities show through. Poles use it admiringly (a master betrays their expertise even in small gestures) or critically (a scoundrel eventually shows their true colours).

  English equivalent

  By their fruits you shall know them.

  Vocabulary

  • znać — to know, to recognise
  • kota — cat (accusative of 'kot')
  • po — by, from (preposition indicating means of identification)
  • pazurach — claws (locative plural of 'pazur')

  Grammar note

  The preposition 'po' followed by the locative case ('pazurach') is used here to indicate the means by which something is identified — 'znać kogoś/coś po czymś' (to recognise someone/something by something). This is a productive structure in Polish: 'znać po akcencie' (tell by the accent), 'znać po wyrazie twarzy' (tell by the expression).

  Cultural context

  This proverb is used in both positive and negative contexts. A teacher might say it proudly of a talented student who reveals mastery even in minor details. Conversely, it can expose a liar or hypocrite. It is neutral in register and appropriate in both casual conversation and formal writing.

  Beginner

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