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  What it means

  “Saint Catherine cuts off weddings.” From Catherine’s Day (25 November) the Advent fast begins, and with it the ban on wedding celebrations until after Christmas.

  Vocabulary

  • święta — saint (feminine)
  • ślub — wedding, marriage vow
  • ucinać — to cut off, to put an end to

  Grammar note

  'Ucina' is third-person singular present of 'ucinać'. 'Śluby' is the accusative plural of 'ślub'.

  Cultural context

  Church law traditionally forbade weddings during Advent. Saint Catherine's Day (25 November) marked the start of this period in Polish folk custom.

  Intermediate

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