• Listen

  What it means

  Literally “shadow cabinet.” The official political term for the opposition’s parallel team of ministers who shadow their government counterparts and are ready to take power. Used in political journalism and commentary.

  Vocabulary

  • gabinet — cabinet, office
  • cienie — shadows (plural of 'cień')

  Grammar note

  'Cieni' is the genitive plural of 'cień', used in a descriptive genitive construction.

  Cultural context

  The concept is borrowed from the British parliamentary tradition and is used in Polish political discourse, especially regarding the Sejm opposition.

  Advanced

Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!