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  What it means

  “In Poland, apparently only fish don’t take bribes.” A sardonic comment on widespread corruption or bribery in public life. The fish can’t be bribed because they can’t speak or act — everyone else, the saying implies, can be bought.

  Vocabulary

  • podobno — apparently, supposedly
  • ryba — fish
  • brać — to take (here: to accept bribes)

  Grammar note

  'Nie biorą' is the third-person plural negated present of 'brać'. 'Tylko ryby' is the nominative plural subject.

  Cultural context

  A cynical proverb reflecting historical attitudes toward corruption in Polish public life.

  Intermediate

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