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  What it means

  “When it’s February, put on your boots.” February is cold and wet — dress warmly and practically. A simple, direct piece of folk wisdom about the harshness of February weather.

  Vocabulary

  • luty — February; also: fierce, cruel (archaic adjective)
  • obuć — to put on footwear
  • buty — boots, shoes

  Grammar note

  The proverb plays on 'luty' as both the month name and an archaic adjective meaning 'fierce/cruel'. 'Obuj' is the imperative of 'obuć'.

  Cultural context

  February is traditionally the coldest and most treacherous month in Poland.

  Beginner

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