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  What it means

  “To the marrow of one’s bones.” To the very core of one’s being — used to describe something deeply felt, or a quality that goes all the way through a person.

  Vocabulary

  • szpik — marrow
  • kość — bone
  • do szpiku kości — to the marrow of the bones

  Grammar note

  Double genitive: 'szpiku' (genitive of 'szpik') and 'kości' (genitive of 'kość'). 'Do szpiku kości' functions as an adverbial intensifier.

  Cultural context

  'Przemoczony do szpiku kości' (soaked to the bone), 'Polak do szpiku kości' (Polish to the core). A very vivid intensifier.

  Intermediate

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