ówczesna

Ówczesna is an adjective in Polish, the feminine singular form of ówczesny, meaning “of that time” or “contemporary with that period.” It is used to refer to something belonging to or characteristic of a previously discussed time frame. The word appears mainly in formal or literary prose and in historical writing to distinguish the era under consideration from the present.

Etymology and form: Ówczesna derives from the root ówczesny, which expresses temporality relative to another moment or event mentioned in the text. Like other Polish adjectives, its form changes to agree with the gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies (e.g., ówczesna moda, ówczesna sytuacja, ówczesne prawo).

Usage: The term signals a temporal relationship rather than current conditions. It helps situate descriptions, analyses, or evaluations within a specific past period. In everyday speech, speakers often opt for more direct phrases such as “w tamtym czasie” (at that time), whereas ówczesna emphasizes contemporaneity with a referenced era or event.

Examples:

- ówczesna moda była bardzo charakterystyczna.

- Wówczas ówczesna rzeczywistość stawiały inne wyzwania.

Notes: Although still correct, the word can sound somewhat literary or historical. It is typically found in writings about bygone periods, biographies, chronicles, or historical essays. For colloquial narration, phrases like “w tamtych czasach” are more common.