Meaning
pain fades with the passage of time
Cultural Background
In Poland, this phrase is often used with a sigh of resignation. It reflects a certain 'fatalism' where one accepts that pain is part of life, but also a 'resilience' that things will eventually normalize. While not religious itself, the phrase is often used in Catholic funerals or mourning periods in Poland as a secular way to offer hope alongside religious prayers. Romantic poets like Adam Mickiewicz often dealt with 'wounds' of the soul and the nation. While they didn't always use this exact phrase, the concept of time as a healer is a recurring theme in Polish Romanticism. In the fast-paced Polish corporate world, this phrase is sometimes used ironically to suggest that a bad project or a failed deal will be forgotten by the next quarterly review.
Use 'leczy' for variety
If you want to sound more like a native speaker in casual conversation, use 'czas leczy rany'. It's slightly more common.
Don't be too clinical
Avoid using this phrase if someone has a literal, bleeding wound. They need a bandage, not a proverb!
Meaning
pain fades with the passage of time
Use 'leczy' for variety
If you want to sound more like a native speaker in casual conversation, use 'czas leczy rany'. It's slightly more common.
Don't be too clinical
Avoid using this phrase if someone has a literal, bleeding wound. They need a bandage, not a proverb!
Perfect for writing
This is a great phrase to use in the conclusion of a B2-level essay about overcoming difficulties.
Test Yourself
Uzupełnij zdanie odpowiednią formą czasownika 'goić'.
Nie martw się, czas ______ rany.
The subject 'czas' is 3rd person singular, so we use 'goi'.
Wybierz najlepszą sytuację do użycia tego przysłowia.
Kiedy powiesz 'czas goi rany'?
The phrase is used for emotional healing, like after a breakup.
Dokończ dialog.
A: 'Czuję, że ten smutek nigdy nie minie.' B: 'Spokojnie, daj sobie trochę czasu. Wiesz przecież, że...'
This is the most appropriate comforting proverb for this context.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesNie martw się, czas ______ rany.
The subject 'czas' is 3rd person singular, so we use 'goi'.
Kiedy powiesz 'czas goi rany'?
The phrase is used for emotional healing, like after a breakup.
A: 'Czuję, że ten smutek nigdy nie minie.' B: 'Spokojnie, daj sobie trochę czasu. Wiesz przecież, że...'
This is the most appropriate comforting proverb for this context.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's perfectly fine for friends. It shows you are being empathetic and serious about their feelings.
Yes, that is the future tense ('time will heal wounds'). It is often used when the pain is very fresh.
'Goić' is what the body does (healing/closing a wound). 'Leczyć' is what a doctor does (treating/curing).
Not really. Slang tends to be less philosophical. A slang way to say 'you'll get over it' might be 'przejdzie ci'.
Yes, this is the most common use case for the phrase in Poland.
It is always 'goi'. 'Goji' refers to the berries!
Only if you have a very close relationship with the person and they are going through a personal crisis. Otherwise, it's too emotional.
Not necessarily. It implies the *pain* goes away, but the memory (the scar) might remain.
Yes, many Polish pop and rock songs use this phrase in their lyrics.
Use 'rany' (plural). It sounds more natural and idiomatic.
Related Phrases
czas leczy rany
synonymTime treats wounds.
co nas nie zabije, to nas wzmocni
similarWhat doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
nie ma tego złego, co by na dobre nie wyszło
similarEvery cloud has a silver lining.
rana się zabliźnia
builds onThe wound is scarring over.
