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  What it means

  Literally “cholera knows.” Means “who knows” or “the devil knows” — used to express complete ignorance or uncertainty about something. A mild expletive used very casually.

  Vocabulary

  • cholera — cholera (used as a mild expletive)
  • wie — knows (3rd person singular of 'wiedzieć')

  Grammar note

  Simple present tense. 'Cholera' functions as a personified subject — like saying 'the devil knows'.

  Cultural context

  Disease names were historically used as curses in Polish. 'Cholera' is one of the mildest — perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation.

  Beginner

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