Polkovnik (, , , , , , ; literally "regimentary") is often a military rank in Slavic countries which corresponds to a colonel in English-speaking states. However, in Cossack Hetmanate (Гетманщина, Гетьманщина, Hetmanschtschyna) and Slobozhanschtschyna, polkovnyk was an administrative rank similar to a governor. Usually this word is translated as colonel, however the transliteration is also in common usage, for the sake of the historical and social context.