Polish proverbs are more than just sayings - they’re tiny windows into the country’s history, humour, and worldview. Whether you’re learning the language or just love a good nugget of wisdom, these 10 proverbs will give you a taste of Poland’s cultural flavour.
1. Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy
Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy
/ɲɛ ˈmuj ˈt͡sɘrk | ɲɛ ˈmɔ.jɛ ˈmaw.pɘ/“Not my circus, not my monkeys”
A brilliantly dismissive way to say, “Not my problem.” It suggests that if something isn’t your responsibility, you shouldn’t waste energy worrying about it.
2. Gdzie kucharek sześć, tam nie ma co jeść
Gdzie kucharek sześć, tam nie ma co jeść
/ˈɡd͡ʑɛ kuˈxa.rɛk ˈʂɛɕt͡ɕ | ˈtam ˈɲɛ ma ˈt͡sɔ ˈjɛɕt͡ɕ/“Where there are six cooks, there’s nothing to eat”
Too many people in charge leads to chaos. A warning against excessive bureaucracy or indecision.
3. Darowanemu koniowi w zęby się nie zagląda
Darowanemu koniowi w zęby się nie zagląda
/da.rɔ.vaˈnɛ.mu kɔˈɲɔ.vi v ˈzɛm.bɘ ɕɛ ɲɛ zaˈɡlɔn.da/“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”
A universal truth: if someone gives you something for free, don’t scrutinise it too closely.
4. Lepszy wróbel w garści niż gołąb na dachu
Lepszy wróbel w garści niż gołąb na dachu
/ˈlɛp.ʂɘ ˈvru.bɛl v ˈɡar.ɕt͡ɕi ˈɲiʂ ˈɡɔ.wɔmp na ˈda.xu/“A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the roof”
The Polish version of “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” Practicality over daydreaming.
5. Kto pod kim dołki kopie, sam w nie wpada
Kto pod kim dołki kopie, sam w nie wpada
/ktɔ pɔt kim dɔwki kɔpʲɛ sam vɲɛ fpada/“He who digs a pit for others falls into it himself”
Karma, Polish-style. Harming others often backfires spectacularly.
6. Co nagle, to po diable
Co nagle, to po diable
/ˈt͡sɔ ˈna.ɡlɛ | ˈtɔ pɔ ˈdja.blɛ/“What’s done in haste is done for the devil”
Rushing leads to mistakes. A reminder to take your time.
7. Bez pracy nie ma kołaczy
Bez pracy nie ma kołaczy
/bɛs ˈpra.t͡sɘ ˈɲɛ ma kɔˈwa.t͡ʂɘ/“Without work, there are no cakes”
No pain, no gain - but with pastries. Hard work pays off.
8. Mądry Polak po szkodzie
Mądry Polak po szkodzie
/mɔndrɨ pɔlak pɔ ʂkɔd͡ʑɛ/“A Pole is wise after the damage is done”
Similar to “wise after the event,” this pokes fun at learning lessons too late.
9. Zastaw się, a postaw się
Zastaw się, a postaw się
/zastaf ɕɛ a pɔstaf ɕɛ/“Pawn yourself, but show off”
A sarcastic take on keeping up appearances, even if it means going into debt.
10. Kto rano wstaje, temu Pan Bóg daje
Kto rano wstaje, temu Pan Bóg daje
/ktɔ ranɔ fstajɛ tɛmu pan buɡ dajɛ/“God gives to those who rise early”
The early bird catches the worm - with divine approval.
Want more Polish linguistic gems? Check out our guide to 10 Fun Polish Idioms That Reveal Cultural Insights for a deeper dive into the language’s quirks.
