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  What it means

  Around Saint Lucy’s day, the day is shortest. December 13th (St. Lucy’s feast day) was traditionally considered the winter solstice in the old Julian calendar — the shortest day of the year.

  English equivalent

  Lucy light, the shortest day and the longest night.

  Vocabulary

  • święta Łucja — Saint Lucy (feast day: December 13)
  • dzień — day
  • trwać — to last
  • najkrócej — shortest (superlative of 'krótko')

  Grammar note

  'Najkrócej' is the superlative adverb from 'krótko'. 'Trwa' — third person singular present of 'trwać'.

  Cultural context

  Before the Gregorian calendar reform, St. Lucy's day (December 13) coincided with the winter solstice. The proverb preserves this old astronomical observation.

  Beginner

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