Gadka

Gadka is a Polish noun meaning casual talk, chatter, or gossip. It refers to informal conversations, typically among friends or colleagues, and can denote both everyday exchange of information and idle rumor. The term is common in spoken Polish and is less frequent in formal writing.

It is derived from the verb gadać, "to talk." Gadka is feminine and appears in phrases such as "gadka przy kawie," "krótka gadka," or "ładna gadka," reflecting its colloquial character. Related formal terms include rozmowa or pogawędka, which are more neutral.

In neutral use, gadka simply means chat or talk. In broader or pejorative contexts, it can imply gossip or rumor, as in "gadka o sąsiadach"—talk about neighbors. The tone is informal, and the word is common in media, entertainment, and everyday speech but kept out of formal or technical writing.

From a cultural perspective, "gadka" also appears in modern Polish branding and media; for example, the name of the former Polish instant messaging program Gadu-Gadu evokes the notion of talking. The term therefore carries strong associations with social interaction and communication in Polish.