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  What it means

  “The ox forgot what it was like to be a calf.” Said of people who, once they gain power, wealth, or age, forget their own humble beginnings and show no empathy for those who are younger or less experienced.

  English equivalent

  Every old man was once a young man.

  Vocabulary

  • wół — ox
  • zapomniał — forgot (he/she/it)
  • cielę — calf
  • jak — when, as

  Grammar note

  'Cielęciem' is the instrumental case of 'cielę', used after 'być' (to be): 'kiedy cielęciem był' — when he was a calf.

  Intermediate

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