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  What it means

  “Saint Joseph brings a cartload of grass, but sometimes disappoints by dumping snow.” A humorous proverb about the unpredictability of March weather — spring seems near but snow can still surprise.

  English equivalent

  March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

  Vocabulary

  • Józek — Joey (diminutive of Józef)
  • wieźć — to carry, to transport (by vehicle)
  • wózek — little cart, trolley
  • smucić — to sadden, to disappoint
  • przyrzucić — to cover by throwing, to dump on top

  Grammar note

  'Wiezie' is third-person singular of 'wieźć'. 'Trawy wózek' is a genitive construction meaning 'a cart of grass'. 'Śniegiem' is the instrumental of 'śnieg', used with 'przyrzuci' to mean 'covers with snow'.

  Cultural context

  The diminutive 'Józek' gives the proverb a warm, folk tone. It reflects the well-known Polish experience of late-March snowfall just when spring seems to have arrived.

  Intermediate

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