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  What it means

  Literally “when you don’t know what it’s about, it’s about money.” A cynical but widely quoted observation that money is the hidden motive behind most disputes, decisions, and conflicts.

  Vocabulary

  • wiadomo — it is known, one knows (impersonal)
  • chodzi o — it's about, it concerns
  • pieniądze — money (plural)

  Grammar note

  'Chodzi o' is an impersonal construction — literally 'it walks about something', meaning 'it concerns'. 'Pieniądze' is accusative after 'o'.

  Cultural context

  Often attributed as a Polish folk saying. Widely used in journalism, politics, and everyday cynical commentary.

  Intermediate

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