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  What it means

  Literally “a credit of trust.” Refers to the initial goodwill and trust extended to someone before they have proven themselves — a form of advance faith that must be repaid through actions. Poles use this expression in both professional contexts (a new employee, a new government) and personal ones (a friend who made a mistake). It implies that trust, like money, is lent, and can be spent or withdrawn.

  Vocabulary

  • kredyt — credit, loan
  • zaufanie — trust, confidence
  • zaufania — of trust (genitive case of zaufanie)

  Grammar note

  The genitive case 'zaufania' functions as a possessive genitive modifying 'kredyt' — literally 'a credit of trust.' This noun phrase is typically used with verbs like 'dać' (to give), 'mieć' (to have), or 'stracić' (to lose): 'Dać komuś kredyt zaufania' = 'to extend someone the benefit of the doubt.'

  Cultural context

  A relatively modern expression borrowed from the language of finance and management. It became especially common in political discourse after 1989, when Poles discussed whether newly elected officials deserved trust. Equivalent to 'benefit of the doubt' or 'vote of confidence' in English.

  Intermediate

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