The Latin name for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is Rés Pública Poloniae. Although the first Rzeczpospolita was an elective monarchy, the king had no real power, as most of the state affairs were regulated by the parliament and senate, known as the Sejm. As a result, the literal meaning of Rzeczpospolita Polska is 'Polish Commonwealth', or 'Republic of Poland'. The meaning of rzeczpospolita is well described by the term commonwealth. Jan Zamoyski, Foundation Act of the Academy of Zamość 1600 Such will be the Commonwealths as the upbringing of their youth. Takie będą Rzeczypospolite, jakie ich młodzieży chowanie. The famous quote by Jan Zamoyski, the Lord Chancellor of the Crown, on the importance of education is an example of its use: It was adapted for Poland, as it at that time had a unique republican system, similar to the former Roman rés pública.

The term rzeczpospolita has been used in Poland since the beginning of the 16th century. In Poland, the word rzeczpospolita is used exclusively in relation to the Republic of Poland, while any other republic is referred to in Polish as a republika, e.g., French Republic – Polish: Republika Francuska. republic, in English also rendered as commonwealth (historic) and republic (current).

It is a compound of rzecz 'thing, matter' and pospolita 'common', a calque of Latin rés pública ( rés 'thing' + pública 'public, common'), i.e. Rzeczpospolita ( ( listen) Ruthenian: Рѣчъ Посполита) is the official name of Poland and a traditional name for some of its predecessor states. 3rd Rzeczpospolita, shown within the European Union (member since 2004)

What is the meaning of commonwealth