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  What it means

  Marry off your son whenever you like, but marry off your daughter as soon as you can. A traditional proverb reflecting old attitudes: a son can wait, but a daughter’s marriage prospects were seen as time-sensitive.

  Vocabulary

  • ożenić — to marry off (a son)
  • syn — son
  • wydać — to marry off (a daughter), to give away
  • córka — daughter
  • zechcieć — to want, to wish (when you feel like it)
  • móc — to be able to, can

  Grammar note

  'Ożeń' and 'wydaj' are imperative forms. 'Syna' and 'córkę' are accusative objects.

  Cultural context

  Reflects traditional Polish patriarchal attitudes towards marriage. 'Wydać córkę' (literally 'to give out a daughter') is the standard phrase for marrying off a daughter.

  Intermediate

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