A1 Proverb ニュートラル

darowanemu koniowi w zęby się nie zagląda

don't look a gift horse in the mouth

意味

Do not criticize a gift.

🌍

文化的背景

In Poland, it is common to bring a small gift (like flowers or sweets) when visiting someone's home. The host will often use this proverb mentally to maintain 'gościnność' (hospitality) even if the gift isn't perfect. The English equivalent is used almost identically, but perhaps more frequently in a self-deprecating way when receiving government benefits or 'freebies'. In many Arab cultures, refusing a gift or criticizing it is a significant social taboo, making the sentiment of this proverb even stronger than in the West. The proverb's roots in Latin show that the value of horses and the etiquette of gift-giving have been linked for nearly two millennia in Western civilization.

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The 'Short' Version

If you forget the whole sentence, just say 'Darowany koń...' and people will understand you perfectly.

⚠️

Don't be rude

Saying this to the person who gave you the gift can be seen as a 'backhanded' compliment. Use it with friends or as a thought.

意味

Do not criticize a gift.

💡

The 'Short' Version

If you forget the whole sentence, just say 'Darowany koń...' and people will understand you perfectly.

⚠️

Don't be rude

Saying this to the person who gave you the gift can be seen as a 'backhanded' compliment. Use it with friends or as a thought.

🎯

Grammar Hack

Remember 'koniowi' is Dative. If you use this correctly, you'll sound much more advanced than A1!

自分をテスト

Fill in the missing word in the proverb.

Darowanemu ________ w zęby się nie zagląda.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: koniowi

The word must be in the Dative case because of the verb 'zaglądać'.

Which situation best fits the proverb?

Situation: You receive a free sandwich, but it has no mayo.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: B

The proverb is used to accept a free item without complaining about small details.

Complete the dialogue.

Anna: 'Ten darmowy bilet jest na bardzo wczesną godzinę.' Tomek: 'Wiem, ale...'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: darowanemu koniowi w zęby się nie zagląda

Tomek is reminding Anna not to complain about a free ticket.

🎉 スコア: /3

ビジュアル学習ツール

練習問題バンク

3 問題
Fill in the missing word in the proverb. Fill Blank A1

Darowanemu ________ w zęby się nie zagląda.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: koniowi

The word must be in the Dative case because of the verb 'zaglądać'.

Which situation best fits the proverb? situation_matching A1

Situation: You receive a free sandwich, but it has no mayo.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: B

The proverb is used to accept a free item without complaining about small details.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

Anna: 'Ten darmowy bilet jest na bardzo wczesną godzinę.' Tomek: 'Wiem, ale...'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: darowanemu koniowi w zęby się nie zagląda

Tomek is reminding Anna not to complain about a free ticket.

🎉 スコア: /3

よくある質問

5 問

Yes! It's very common to use it for digital goods or services that don't cost money.

It is always 'koniowi'. 'Koniu' is the Vocative case (used for calling a horse).

It is a traditional proverb, but it is used daily by people of all ages in Poland.

Technically yes, but if it's dangerous, the proverb usually doesn't apply.

The 'się' makes the sentence impersonal, meaning 'one does not look' rather than 'you do not look'.

関連フレーズ

🔗

Lepszy wróbel w garści niż gołąb na dachu

similar

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

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Co łaska

builds on

Whatever you can afford / as much as you want to give.

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Za darmo to i ocet słodki

similar

When it's free, even vinegar is sweet.

🔗

Pańskie oko konia tuczy

contrast

The master's eye fattens the horse.

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