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  What it means

  Something is seriously wrong in a situation, institution, or group. It is used when events suggest disorder, corruption, or crisis.

  Vocabulary

  • źle — badly
  • dziać się — to happen / to be going on
  • państwo — state / country
  • duński — Danish

  Grammar note

  Fixed expression used impersonally to comment on a broader situation.

  Cultural context

  The phrase refers to Shakespeare's Hamlet and has become a standard way to say that something is deeply wrong.

  Advanced

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