Signification
Lies are quickly discovered.
Contexte culturel
In Poland, honesty is highly valued in personal relationships. This proverb is often the first moral lesson children learn from their grandparents. Similar versions exist across Slavic cultures (Czech, Slovak, Russian), showing a shared linguistic heritage regarding moral consequences. With the rise of social media fact-checking, this proverb has seen a resurgence in Polish internet memes. The phrase appears in many classic Polish fables and children's poems, reinforcing its status as a foundational cultural text.
Use it for emphasis
Add 'No widzisz!' (See!) before the phrase to sound more like a native speaker when a lie is caught.
Don't pluralize
Even if there are many lies, keep the phrase in the singular: 'Kłamstwo ma...', not 'Kłamstwa mają...'.
Signification
Lies are quickly discovered.
Use it for emphasis
Add 'No widzisz!' (See!) before the phrase to sound more like a native speaker when a lie is caught.
Don't pluralize
Even if there are many lies, keep the phrase in the singular: 'Kłamstwo ma...', not 'Kłamstwa mają...'.
Parental power
This is a very 'parental' phrase. Using it with your own children will make you sound very culturally integrated.
Past tense usage
You can use 'miało' (had) if you are telling a story about a lie that was caught in the past.
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb with the correct word.
Kłamstwo ma krótkie _______.
The proverb specifically uses 'nogi' (legs) to show that a lie cannot run far.
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Marek told his boss he finished the report, but the boss saw the file was empty.
This proverb is used when a lie is discovered.
Match the Polish words with their English meanings.
Match the following:
These are the four components of the proverb.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Powiedziałem, że nie mam pracy domowej, ale nauczyciel sprawdził mój zeszyt. B: No widzisz, _______.
The speaker is commenting on a lie being caught.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Truth vs. Lie in Polish Idioms
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKłamstwo ma krótkie _______.
The proverb specifically uses 'nogi' (legs) to show that a lie cannot run far.
Marek told his boss he finished the report, but the boss saw the file was empty.
This proverb is used when a lie is discovered.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the four components of the proverb.
A: Powiedziałem, że nie mam pracy domowej, ale nauczyciel sprawdził mój zeszyt. B: No widzisz, _______.
The speaker is commenting on a lie being caught.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's a neutral proverb. However, saying it to someone who just lied might be seen as a direct confrontation.
No, that would mean 'Lies have long legs,' which is the opposite of the proverb and doesn't exist in Polish.
Yes, though often ironically or when discussing news and celebrities.
There isn't a direct proverbial opposite, but 'Prawda się obroni' (The truth will defend itself) is a related positive sentiment.
Yes, it is the standard word for 'a lie'.
Yes, if discussing a breach of contract or a dishonest competitor, it is appropriate.
It's a metaphor for how far a lie can 'travel' before being overtaken by the truth.
Always 'krótkie' (short in length). 'Niskie' means short in height (like a person).
The standard version doesn't rhyme, but there are rhyming variations used in schools.
Yes, like the dating app example where someone is literally short.
Expressions liées
Prawda zawsze wyjdzie na jaw
synonymThe truth will always come to light.
Kłamać jak z nut
contrastTo lie like from sheet music (very fluently).
Oliwa sprawiedliwa zawsze na wierzch wypływa
similarJust oil always floats to the top.
Wierutne kłamstwo
builds onAn absolute/blatant lie.
