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  What it means

  Literally “a little cross for the road.” A farewell gesture — making the sign of the cross over someone departing to wish them a safe journey. Used both literally and figuratively as a final goodbye or blessing.

  Vocabulary

  • krzyżyk — small cross (diminutive of krzyż)
  • droga — road, journey

  Grammar note

  'Na drogę' uses the accusative of 'droga' after 'na' — purpose (for the journey).

  Cultural context

  A deeply Catholic Polish tradition — mothers and grandmothers would make the sign of the cross on a departing child's forehead. Now used more broadly as a farewell.

  Intermediate

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