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  What it means

  Literally “to beat oneself on the chest.” Means to express remorse, to publicly admit guilt or fault — to beat one’s breast in contrition.

  Vocabulary

  • bić się — to beat oneself
  • pierś — chest / breast

  Grammar note

  'W piersi' uses the accusative of 'pierś' after 'w' — indicating the target of the action. The reflexive 'się' makes it self-directed.

  Cultural context

  A gesture with roots in Catholic penitential practice — striking the chest while saying 'mea culpa.' Still used both literally (in religious contexts) and figuratively.

  Intermediate

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