Kandydatka

Kandydatka is the Polish term for a female candidate in elections, competitions, or other contexts where a person seeks a position, award, or inclusion on a list. It is the feminine form of kandydat, reflecting the gendered nature of many Polish nouns.

Etymology and usage: Kandydat kinships to the noun kandydat, borrowed from European languages and integrated into Polish with gendered forms. Kandydatka is used when the referent is a woman, while kandydat is used for a man or as a gender-neutral form in some contexts. In political language, kandydatka appears in phrases such as kandydatka na posła, kandydatka na posłankę a także kandydatka na prezydenta. In media and official documents, gendered forms help indicate the candidate’s gender.

Context in politics and society: The term is part of the broader system of gendered language in Polish politics. Women have participated as candidates since the early 20th century, and discussions about gender representation often reference both kandydatki and kandydaci to describe the field of contenders.

Other uses: Beyond electoral politics, kandydatka can refer to a female applicant or contestant in other competitive or evaluative settings, such as auditions, job applications, or merit-based selections.

See also: Kandydat, gendered language, political representation.

Note: The word is neutral in itself but carries implications about gender, which can be relevant in discussions of equality and representation in electoral systems and public life.