Umarł król, niech żyje król
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What it means
“The king is dead, long live the king.” Power and institutions continue regardless of who holds them; one leader replaces another and life goes on. Also used ironically when someone is quickly replaced.
English equivalent
The king is dead, long live the king.
Vocabulary
- umrzeć — to die
- król — king
- żyć — to live
- niech — let (particle for third-person imperative)
Grammar note
'Umarł' is the masculine past tense of 'umrzeć'. 'Niech żyje' is the third-person imperative construction: 'niech' + present tense.
Cultural context
A direct translation of the French 'Le roi est mort, vive le roi', used in Polish political commentary and everyday speech.
Intermediate
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