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  What it means

  The Silk Road — the ancient network of trade routes connecting China and Central Asia to Europe. Used in Polish both historically and as a metaphor for any long, exotic, or lucrative trade route or journey.

  Vocabulary

  • jedwab — silk
  • jedwabny — silk (adjective), silky
  • szlak — trail, route, path

  Grammar note

  Capitalised as a proper noun when referring to the historical route. Lowercase 'jedwabny szlak' can be used metaphorically.

  Cultural context

  Poland sat on the western end of medieval trade routes from Asia — the Silk Road has cultural resonance in Polish history and geography.

  Intermediate

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