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  What it means

  “The month of January, time for wishes: so we wish you prosperity, God, bread, and good guests.” A traditional New Year greeting in proverb form, listing the four things most wished for in Polish folk culture.

  Vocabulary

  • miesiąc — month
  • styczeń — January
  • życzenie — wish, greeting
  • pomyślność — prosperity, good fortune
  • chleb — bread
  • gość — guest

  Grammar note

  'Życzymy' is the first-person plural of 'życzyć' (to wish), governing the genitive: 'pomyślności, Boga, chleba, dobrych gości'.

  Cultural context

  A folk New Year's verse. The four wishes — prosperity, faith, food, and hospitality — reflect core values of traditional Polish culture.

  Intermediate

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