• Listen

  What it means

  “You praise what’s foreign, you don’t know your own.” A classic saying used to criticise people who admire foreign things while ignoring the value of what they have at home. The Polish equivalent of “the grass is always greener.”

  Vocabulary

  • cudze — foreign, someone else's (neuter accusative)
  • chwalić — to praise
  • swego — your own (genitive)
  • znać — to know

  Grammar note

  Uses the second-person plural (wy-form): 'chwalicie', 'znacie'. 'Swego' is the genitive of 'swój' after negation ('nie znacie swego').

  Cultural context

  A well-known Polish saying, often quoted when someone dismisses Polish culture, food, or traditions in favour of foreign alternatives.

  Intermediate

Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!