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  What it means

  Literally “devil’s circle.” Means a vicious cycle — a situation where each problem causes another, trapping you in an endless loop with no way out.

  Vocabulary

  • czarci — devil's / diabolical (adjective from 'czart')
  • koło — circle / wheel

  Grammar note

  'Czarcie' is the neuter form of the adjective 'czarci', agreeing with 'koło'.

  Cultural context

  'Czart' is an archaic/folk word for the devil, giving this phrase a distinctly old-Polish flavour compared to the more common 'błędne koło' (vicious circle).

  Intermediate

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