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  What it means

  “Not the mother who gave birth, but the one who raised you.” True parenthood is defined by nurturing and upbringing, not biology alone.

  English equivalent

  It takes more than giving birth to be a mother.

  Vocabulary

  • matka — mother
  • porodzić — to give birth (to)
  • wychować — to raise, to bring up

  Grammar note

  Both 'porodziła' and 'wychowała' are perfective past tense, third-person singular feminine. 'Co' here is a relative pronoun meaning 'who'.

  Cultural context

  Often cited in discussions of adoption and foster care, affirming that love and dedication define motherhood.

  Intermediate

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