Gówne

Gówne is not a standard Polish lexical item. In most cases where it appears in writing, it is a misspelling or a confusion with one of several valid terms that sound similar: główne, gównie, or gówno. Distinguishing among these forms is important for correct spelling and meaning.

Główne is an adjective meaning main or principal. It agrees with the noun it modifies and is used in phrases such as główne cele (main goals), główne założenia (main assumptions), or główne problemy (main problems). The form główne is the neuter plural or feminine plural form, depending on the noun it accompanies. It is a common term in formal and neutral writing to highlight primary elements or aspects.

Gównie is an adverb meaning mainly, primarily, or chiefly. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs and is used in statements like Główne informacje to say “mainly the information is…” or Gównie zależy na bezpieczeństwie, meaning “it mainly depends on safety.” Its spelling with ó distinguishes it from główne and gówno.

Gówno is a vulgar noun meaning feces or excrement. It is used in informal or crude speech and writing, sometimes as an insult or crude reference. The plural form is gówna. Because of its offensiveness, it is generally avoided in formal contexts.

In practice, gówne is typically a misspelling for główne or gównie, or a mistaken reference to gówno. Correct usage depends on the intended meaning: główne for main elements, gównie for primarily, and gówno for the vulgar noun.