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  What it means

  “Without work there are no kołacze.” One of the most well-known Polish proverbs. You only get rewards — food, comfort, success — if you put in the effort. There are no shortcuts.

  English equivalent

  No pain, no gain. / No work, no reward.

  Vocabulary

  • praca — work, labour
  • kołacz — kołacz — a traditional sweet bread; here symbolises reward or good things

  Grammar note

  'Bez pracy' — genitive of 'praca' after 'bez'. 'Nie ma kołaczy' — negated existential construction with genitive plural 'kołaczy'.

  Cultural context

  Kołacze (sweet braided breads) were a prized treat, making them a natural symbol of reward in folk wisdom.

  Beginner

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