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  What it means

  “When the weather shines on Vincent’s day and the Conversion of Paul, expect a good summer, children.” Clear weather around 22 January (Saint Vincent) and 25 January (Conversion of Saint Paul) is a folk sign of a warm, sunny summer ahead.

  Vocabulary

  • pogoda — weather; also: good weather
  • świecić — to shine
  • spodziewać się — to expect, to hope for
  • nawrócenie — conversion

  Grammar note

  'Spodziewajcie się' is the imperative plural of 'spodziewać się'. The rhyme 'świeci / dzieci' gives the proverb its memorable form.

  Cultural context

  Saint Vincent is 22 January; the Conversion of Saint Paul is 25 January. Both were key dates in the Polish folk calendar for weather divination.

  Intermediate

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