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  What it means

  “It’s not the father, not the mother who gives away the daughter: it’s work, willingness, and good manners.” A girl’s best dowry is her industriousness, eagerness, and good character — not her parents’ wealth or status.

  Vocabulary

  • ociec — father (archaic/dialectal form of 'ojciec')
  • ceruszka — daughter (archaic/dialectal diminutive of 'córka')
  • wydawać — to give away (in marriage)
  • ochota — willingness, eagerness, enthusiasm
  • obyczaje — manners, customs, morals

  Grammar note

  'Wydaje' here means 'gives away in marriage'. 'Ceruszke' is the accusative of the archaic 'ceruszka'. The list 'robota, ochota, piękne obyczaje' functions as the subject in a nominative construction.

  Cultural context

  'Ociec' and 'ceruszka' are archaic or dialectal forms, giving this proverb an old-fashioned, folk flavour. It reflects traditional values around a woman's worth being tied to her character and work ethic.

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