Umarł król, niech żyje król
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What it means
“The king is dead, long live the king.” Power and institutions continue no matter who holds them. One leader replaces another, and life goes on. It can also be used ironically when someone is replaced very quickly.
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
This is a direct translation of the French 'Le roi est mort, vive le roi'. It appears in Polish political commentary and everyday speech.
Intermediate
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