Wise & Meaningful Polish Phrases To Live By

A lot can happen in a moment. A lot can also happen when a random string of words are said at the right time. For example, when one says “I love you” to someone, deep feelings of love, care, affection, and happiness are popping up. And when one says “this is not my circus, not my monkeys” thoughts of “yeah, I’m not getting involved in any hullabaloo going on that isn’t mine” or possible thoughts of confusion might be appearing, especially if one hasn’t heard of such expression. The expression actually comes from a Polish phrase “nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy” which translates to “not my circus, not my monkeys.” As silly as it may sound, the statement kind of makes sense because if the circus isn’t yours, then the monkeys are also not yours. Just like that funky expression, which by the way you can definitely use when you’re alluding to something that is not your business, the Polish language is full of many more interesting sayings that are perfect for any occasion. These idiomatic expressions add a bit of flair and rarity to this beautiful West Slavic language. Read on this list and see for yourself!

• Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy
  Translation: not my circus, not my monkeys
  Meaning: it’s none of my business, so I’m not getting involved
• Myśleć o niebieskich migdałach
  Translation: thinking of blue almonds
  Meaning: to daydream
• Bułka z masłem
  Translation: roll with butter
  Meaning: to describe something easy to do
• Nie wywołuj wilka z lasu
  Translation: don’t call a wolf out of the woods
  Meaning: leave things as they should be and don't stir the pot
• Gruszki na wierzbie
  Translation: pears on a willow
  Meaning: something will most likely not happen
• Oliwa sprawiedliwa zawsze na wierzch wypływa
  Translation: just oil always ends up surfacing
  Meaning: the truth always comes out
• Miłość jest ślepa
  Translation: love is blind
  Meaning: when you are in love, you cannot see someone's flaws
• On ma węża w kieszeni
  Translation: somebody has a snake in their pocket
  Meaning: a way to describe a greedy person
• Wypchać się sianem
  Translation: go stuff yourself with hay
  Meaning: to tell someone to go away