Signification
Children should stay silent.
Contexte culturel
This proverb is a cornerstone of 'traditional' Polish upbringing. It reflects a time when children were expected to be passive observers of adult life. Similar sentiments exist across Slavic cultures, emphasizing the authority of the 'pater familias' and the silence of the youth. In cities like Warsaw, this phrase is now often used as a 'negative example' in parenting workshops to illustrate how NOT to talk to children. Authors often use this phrase to quickly establish a character as being from a strict, old-fashioned background.
Grammar Hack
Use this phrase to remember that 'nie' + 'mieć' always takes the Genitive case. Głos -> Głosu.
Cultural Sensitivity
Don't say this to a Polish parent today unless you are joking. It can be seen as an insult to their parenting style.
Signification
Children should stay silent.
Grammar Hack
Use this phrase to remember that 'nie' + 'mieć' always takes the Genitive case. Głos -> Głosu.
Cultural Sensitivity
Don't say this to a Polish parent today unless you are joking. It can be seen as an insult to their parenting style.
Ironic Usage
If you want to sound like a native, use it when your own phone or computer 'interrupts' you by making a noise.
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb with the correct form of the word 'głos'.
Dzieci i ryby ______ nie mają.
After the negation 'nie mają', we must use the Genitive case. 'Głosu' is the Genitive singular of 'głos'.
What is the figurative meaning of this proverb?
Dzieci i ryby głosu nie mają.
The proverb is a traditional way of saying children should stay silent in adult company.
Match the response to the situation.
A child interrupts a serious political discussion between their parents.
This is the traditional (though harsh) response to a child interrupting adults.
Complete the dialogue between a grandmother and a grandson.
Wnuczek: Babciu, dlaczego nie mogę teraz mówić? Babcia: Bo dorośli rozmawiają, a wiesz co się mówi... ______.
The context of silencing a child fits this proverb perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDzieci i ryby ______ nie mają.
After the negation 'nie mają', we must use the Genitive case. 'Głosu' is the Genitive singular of 'głos'.
Dzieci i ryby głosu nie mają.
The proverb is a traditional way of saying children should stay silent in adult company.
A child interrupts a serious political discussion between their parents.
This is the traditional (though harsh) response to a child interrupting adults.
Wnuczek: Babciu, dlaczego nie mogę teraz mówić? Babcia: Bo dorośli rozmawiają, a wiesz co się mówi... ______.
The context of silencing a child fits this proverb perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but mostly ironically or to describe old-fashioned ways. It's rarely used as a serious command anymore.
Because fish are the most common animals that make no audible sound, making them the perfect metaphor for silence.
Both are correct, but 'Dzieci i ryby' is the more common standard form.
Yes, if you are joking about being silenced or if a child is being particularly loud in a funny way.
The closest equivalent is 'Children should be seen and not heard.'
In Polish, 'głos' means both 'voice' and 'vote'. In this proverb, it primarily means 'voice', but figuratively it also means 'the right to have an opinion/vote'.
By modern standards, yes, it is considered quite rude and dismissive toward children.
It's pronounced 'GWO-soo'. The 'ł' is like a 'w'.
Not specifically with fish, but 'Milczenie jest złotem' (Silence is gold) is the adult version.
It is in the Nominative plural (mianownik).
Expressions liées
Milczenie jest złotem
similarSilence is gold.
Mowa jest srebrem, a milczenie złotem
builds onSpeech is silver, but silence is gold.
Siedzieć jak mysz pod miotłą
similarTo sit like a mouse under a broom.
Trzymać język za zębami
similarTo keep one's tongue behind one's teeth.
