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  What it means

  Literally “curiosity is the first step to hell.” A warning that nosiness leads to trouble — the Polish equivalent of “curiosity killed the cat.”

  Vocabulary

  • ciekawość — curiosity
  • stopień — step / degree
  • piekło — hell

  Grammar note

  'To' as copula: 'X to Y.' 'Do piekła' uses the genitive of 'piekło' after 'do.'

  Cultural context

  A Catholic-flavored warning. Used by parents and teachers to discourage prying.

  Beginner

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