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  What it means

  Literally “like bright cholera.” A common intensifier expressing frustration, emphasis, or exasperation — the Polish equivalent of “like hell” or “damn it all.”

  Vocabulary

  • jak — like / as / how
  • jasny — bright / clear (euphemistic intensifier)
  • cholera — cholera (mild expletive)

  Grammar note

  'Jasna cholera' is nominative after 'jak'. 'Jasna' softens 'cholera' slightly while intensifying the whole phrase.

  Cultural context

  One of many Polish expressions combining 'jasny' with a mild expletive to create an emphatic but not fully vulgar intensifier.

  Beginner

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