The Polish language is, I think, extremely rich in different kinds of idioms and set phrases. Understanding the colloquial language is pretty much impossible if you’re not familiar with at least some figurative uses of common words. Just like in other languages, color terms are very often used in a figurative meanings. Let’s look at the word for ‘black’ – czarny. Many idioms with this word have a negative connotation; apparently, black isn’t associated with optimism!

czarny character – villain, (lit. black character)
Voldemort to czarny charakter w książkach o Harrym Potterze.
Voldemort is the villain in Harry Potter books.

czarno na białym - in black and white, (lit. black on white)
Jest napisane czarno na białym, że nie wysyłamy towaru za granicę.
It’s written in black and white that we don’t ship goods abroad.
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Let’s learn some useful color vocabulary. The basic forms of the adjectives I give here are in the nominative singular, masculine.

biały - white
Śnieg jest biały.
Snow is white.
Marzę o białej sukni ślubnej.
I dream of a white wedding dress.
czarny - black
Węgiel jest czarny.
Coal is black.
Czarne koty przynoszą pecha.
Black cats bring bad luck.

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