Bedeutung
Big tasks take a long time.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Kraków was the capital of Poland until 1596. It remains the cultural and spiritual heart of the country, which is why it is used in this proverb instead of the current capital, Warsaw. The city of Kraków was built over 1000 years. Its layers of architecture (Gothic, Renaissance) are physical proof of the proverb's truth. In Polish corporate culture, this phrase is often used by senior managers to calm down stressed teams during long-term software or infrastructure projects. Polish teachers frequently use this with children to teach them the value of 'cierpliwość' (patience) and 'wytrwałość' (persistence).
Use it for self-care
When you feel like you aren't learning fast enough, say this to yourself. It's a very common way for Poles to show self-compassion.
Don't change the city
Even if you are in Warsaw or Gdańsk, the proverb always uses Kraków. Changing it makes it lose its idiomatic power.
Bedeutung
Big tasks take a long time.
Use it for self-care
When you feel like you aren't learning fast enough, say this to yourself. It's a very common way for Poles to show self-compassion.
Don't change the city
Even if you are in Warsaw or Gdańsk, the proverb always uses Kraków. Changing it makes it lose its idiomatic power.
The 'Impersonal' Power
Notice the -no ending in 'zbudowano'. This is a great introduction to the Polish impersonal past, which is very useful for formal writing.
Social Glue
Using this proverb correctly will immediately make you sound more 'Polish' and culturally aware, as it's a deeply ingrained part of the national identity.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct city name.
Nie od razu _______ zbudowano.
Kraków is the traditional city used in this Polish proverb.
Match the situation to the best use of the proverb.
Which situation fits 'Nie od razu Kraków zbudowano'?
The proverb is used to encourage patience during a long learning process.
Choose the correct grammatical form of the verb.
Nie od razu Kraków _______.
The impersonal past form 'zbudowano' is the fixed form for this proverb.
Complete the dialogue.
Marek: 'Ten projekt jest za trudny, nigdy go nie skończymy!' Anna: 'Spokojnie, Marku. _______.'
This is the most appropriate response to encourage someone overwhelmed by a large project.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use this phrase
Learning
- • Languages
- • Instruments
- • Coding
Building
- • Houses
- • Businesses
- • Apps
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNie od razu _______ zbudowano.
Kraków is the traditional city used in this Polish proverb.
Which situation fits 'Nie od razu Kraków zbudowano'?
The proverb is used to encourage patience during a long learning process.
Nie od razu Kraków _______.
The impersonal past form 'zbudowano' is the fixed form for this proverb.
Marek: 'Ten projekt jest za trudny, nigdy go nie skończymy!' Anna: 'Spokojnie, Marku. _______.'
This is the most appropriate response to encourage someone overwhelmed by a large project.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenPoles localized the proverb to their own historical capital to make it more meaningful to their own history and culture.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend.
Not really. It's best for big, complex tasks like learning a language, building a house, or starting a career.
It is an impersonal past form meaning 'it was built' or 'one built'. It doesn't say who did the building.
Yes, it is very common in memes, social media, and daily conversation among all ages.
It's better to use 'zbudowano' (perfective) because the proverb refers to the completed city.
Sometimes people just say 'Nie od razu Kraków...' and let the listener finish the thought.
No, it sounds like a classic piece of wisdom that is still very relevant today.
Yes, if you are explaining why a previous project took a long time to perfect.
The direct equivalent is 'Rome wasn't built in a day.'
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kropla drąży skałę
similarA drop hollows out the stone.
Co nagle, to po diable
similarHaste makes waste (literally: what is sudden is from the devil).
Cierpliwy i kamień ugotuje
similarA patient person can even cook a stone.
Bez pracy nie ma kołaczy
builds onNo pain, no gain (literally: without work, there are no cakes).
