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  What it means

  Literally “forest grandfather.” A figure from Polish folklore — a spirit or old man of the forest who can be helpful or dangerous. Used figuratively for someone who is wild, unkempt, or out of touch with civilisation.

  Vocabulary

  • leśny — forest (adjective)
  • dziadek — grandfather, old man

  Grammar note

  Nominative masculine noun phrase. 'Leśny' agrees with 'dziadek'.

  Cultural context

  A figure from Slavic folklore — the forest grandfather (leszy in Russian tradition) is a spirit who guards the forest and can lead travellers astray.

  Intermediate

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