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  What it means

  Literally “alpha and omega” — the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Means the beginning and the end, or someone who knows everything about a subject — the ultimate authority.

  Vocabulary

  • alfa — alpha (first letter of the Greek alphabet)
  • omega — omega (last letter of the Greek alphabet)

  Grammar note

  A fixed nominal phrase with no verb. Used as a predicate: 'On jest alfą i omegą w tej dziedzinie' (He is the alpha and omega in this field). 'Alfą i omegą' would take the instrumental after 'jest.'

  Cultural context

  The phrase has biblical origins (Revelation 1:8 — 'I am the Alpha and the Omega'). It is used across most European languages and is fully naturalized in Polish.

  Beginner

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