• Listen

  What it means

  Literally “to err is a human thing.” The Polish equivalent of “to err is human” — acknowledging that making mistakes is a natural part of being human.

  Vocabulary

  • błądzić — to err / to go astray
  • rzecz — thing / matter
  • ludzki — human

  Grammar note

  The infinitive 'błądzić' functions as the subject. 'Rzeczą ludzką' is the instrumental predicate after the implied 'jest' — a classic Latin-influenced construction.

  Cultural context

  A translation of the Latin 'errare humanum est.' Used to excuse mistakes or to show compassion toward someone who has made an error.

  Intermediate

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