• Listen

  What it means

  Literally “better to blow on the cold.” Means better safe than sorry — it’s wiser to take precautions even when the danger seems to have passed, just in case.

  Vocabulary

  • lepiej — better (comparative of 'dobrze')
  • dmuchać — to blow (imperfective)
  • zimne — cold (neuter adjective used as noun)

  Grammar note

  'Na zimne' uses the accusative after 'na'. The image is of blowing on food that has already cooled — being overly cautious.

  Cultural context

  A very common Polish proverb used to justify caution or preparation. The image of blowing on already-cold food is charmingly absurd.

  Beginner

Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!