Language Quest Blog
Polish Music and Emotions

Learn Polish with Zagi's 'Oko za oko'

Jaroslaw Weber •
#polish#music#relationships#zagi#oko za oko
Oko za oko - A Journey Through Emotions

Table of Contents

  1. About the Song
  2. Lyrics and Translation
  3. Vocabulary List
  4. Interactive Learning Games

About the Song

“Oko za oko” (Eye for an Eye) by Zagi is a melancholic and introspective song that delves into the emotional complexities of relationships marked by silence, misunderstanding, and unspoken pain. The phrase “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” serves as a symbolic reflection of how individuals often mirror each other’s emotional distance. Instead of sharing her inner struggles, the narrator opts for silence, exchanging vulnerability for guardedness.

The lyrics reveal a pattern of avoidance, suggesting that it feels safer to forget than to remember, and easier to express feelings online than to voice them in person. Through gentle melodies and poetic language, Zagi paints a picture of a connection that slowly unravels—not through explosive conflict, but through quiet withdrawal and words left unsaid. This haunting yet tender exploration of emotional restraint makes “Oko za oko” an excellent choice for language learners looking to enhance their Polish skills while reflecting on the intricacies of human relationships.

Lyrics and Translation

Verse 1

To nie podobne do mnie, kiedy śpię spokojnie
It’s not like me when I sleep peacefully

Częściej żyję w sztormie, nie chowam się
I often live in a storm, I don’t hide

Wolę nie mieć wspomnień i zapomnieć o niej
I prefer not to have memories and forget about her

Niż pamiętać o tym, że
Than to remember that

Chorus

Nie powiedziałam co przyniosłam w sobie
I didn’t say what I brought within me

Co mi spędzało tyle czasu z oczu sen
What kept me awake for so long

Zamiast się razem śmiać i słuchać wspomnień
Instead of laughing together and listening to memories

Wolałam milczeć i za oko wymienić się
I preferred to remain silent and exchange an eye for an eye

Chorus

Oko za oko, ząb za ząb wymienić się, się się
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth to exchange

Oko za oko, ząb za ząb
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth

Verse 2

Czasem się zastanawiam, o co cała sprawa?
Sometimes I wonder, what is it all about?

Czy to “faux paux”, czy to “malentendus”?
Is it a faux pas, or a misunderstanding?

Czemu po winie miałam, przez Instagrama
Why did I have something to say after wine, through Instagram

Coś do powiedzenia, a w realu to nie
Something to say, but not in real life

Verse 3

Czasem się zastanawiam, czy to była kawa?
Sometimes I wonder, was it coffee?

Czy to “faux paux”, czy to “malentendus”?
Is it a faux pas, or a misunderstanding?

Zawsze i tak znikała, kiedy w życiu dramat
She always disappeared when there was drama in life

Czasem pamiętała, ale częściej, to nie
Sometimes she remembered, but more often, she didn’t

Vocabulary List

💭
Polish:
wspomnienie
English:
memory
Example (PL):
To wspomnienie zawsze będzie w moim sercu.
Example (EN):
This memory will always be in my heart.
🌪️
Polish:
sztorm
English:
storm
Example (PL):
Życie bywa jak sztorm, pełne niepewności.
Example (EN):
Life can be like a storm, full of uncertainty.
🤐
Polish:
milczeć
English:
to remain silent
Example (PL):
Czasami lepiej milczeć niż mówić.
Example (EN):
Sometimes it's better to remain silent than to speak.
👁️
Polish:
oko
English:
eye
Example (PL):
Oko jest zwierciadłem duszy.
Example (EN):
The eye is the mirror of the soul.
🦷
Polish:
ząb
English:
tooth
Example (PL):
Ząb mądrości często sprawia ból.
Example (EN):
Wisdom teeth often cause pain.
🤔
Polish:
zastanawiać się
English:
to wonder
Example (PL):
Czasami zastanawiam się, co by było, gdyby...
Example (EN):
Sometimes I wonder what would happen if...
💔
Polish:
dramat
English:
drama
Example (PL):
Życie pełne dramatów może być trudne.
Example (EN):
A life full of drama can be difficult.
❓
Polish:
pytanie
English:
question
Example (PL):
Mam pytanie dotyczące lekcji.
Example (EN):
I have a question about the lesson.
😴
Polish:
spać
English:
to sleep
Example (PL):
Lubię spać długo w weekendy.
Example (EN):
I like to sleep in on weekends.
🙈
Polish:
chować się
English:
to hide
Example (PL):
Nie chowaj się, porozmawiajmy.
Example (EN):
Don't hide, let's talk.
🗣️
Polish:
powiedzieć
English:
to say
Example (PL):
Chcę ci coś powiedzieć.
Example (EN):
I want to say something to you.
😂
Polish:
śmiać się
English:
to laugh
Example (PL):
Lubimy śmiać się razem.
Example (EN):
We like to laugh together.
👂
Polish:
słuchać
English:
to listen
Example (PL):
Ważne jest, aby słuchać innych.
Example (EN):
It's important to listen to others.
🍷
Polish:
wino
English:
wine
Example (PL):
Lubię czerwone wino.
Example (EN):
I like red wine.
☕
Polish:
kawa
English:
coffee
Example (PL):
Piję kawę każdego ranka.
Example (EN):
I drink coffee every morning.
🫥
Polish:
znikać
English:
to disappear
Example (PL):
Problemy nie znikają same.
Example (EN):
Problems don't disappear on their own.

Download the vocabulary and export it to your favorite flashcard app like Anki or Quizlet!

Interactive Learning Games

Vocabulary Match Game

Test your knowledge of the vocabulary from “Oko za oko” with this fun matching game!

Polish Word Emoji Game

Can you match the Polish words to their corresponding emojis? Give it a try!

Polish Word:

chować się

Polish Sentence Cloze Game

Practice using the vocabulary in context with this fill-in-the-blank game!

Problemy nie ________ same.

English: Problems don't disappear on their own.

Vocabulary Space Invaders

Test your vocabulary skills with this fun Space Invaders-style game!

Vocabulary Space Invaders

Sentence Sorting Game

Practice constructing Polish sentences by arranging words in the correct order.

Sentence Sorting Game

😂English:

We like to laugh together.

Arrange the Polish words in the correct order:

się
razem.
Lubimy
śmiać

Polish Hangman Game

Test your Polish vocabulary knowledge with this classic Hangman game!

Polish Hangman Game

Clue: drama 💔

______

Wrong guesses: 0/6

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