Czystym

Czystym is the instrumental singular form of the Polish adjective czysty, meaning clean or pure. It is used to describe nouns in the instrumental case, often in phrases expressing manners, states, or qualities, such as z czystym sumieniem (with a clean conscience) or czystym sercem (with a pure heart).

Etymology and related forms: czysty derives from the Proto-Slavic root meaning clean or pure, and has cognates in other Slavic languages, for example Russian chistyj, Czech čisťý, and Slovene čist. The form czystym parallels other Polish adjectives in the instrumental singular for masculine and neuter nouns.

Usage and examples: In neutral, idiomatic expressions czystym sumsieniem or czystym sercem are common. The phrase conveys integrity, honesty, or absence of deceit. Czystym can modify masculine or neuter nouns in the instrumental; feminine nouns use the feminine instrumental form czystą. For example, z czystym powietrzem (with clean air) or miał czystym sumieniem (he had a clear conscience). The meaning can be literal (free of dirt) or figurative (free of guilt).

Grammar notes: czystym declines with the noun it accompanies in the instrumental case. The feminine instrumental singular is czystą, and the plural instrumental forms are czystymi for masculine personal nouns and czystymi or czystymi depending on gender and number of the noun they describe. The base adjective czysty has comparative and superlative forms: czystszy and najczystszy.

See also: czysty, czystość, czystość języka.