Hasla

Hasla is the plural form of the Polish noun hasło, a word that in standard Polish means a password or a slogan. The correct spelling in Polish uses the diacritic ł, so the plural is hasła; in ASCII texts or overviews, hasla is sometimes used as a non-diacritic variant.

In computing and information security, hasło refers to a secret string used to authenticate a user or grant access to a system. A strong hasło typically combines length and complexity and must be kept confidential. The plural hasła denotes multiple passwords.

Beyond security, hasło can also mean a slogan, motto, or catchphrase used in political, commercial, or cultural contexts. Phrases such as hasła reklamowe (advertising slogans) or hasła wyborcze (campaign slogans) illustrate this usage. In this sense, it conveys a rallying or guiding message rather than a technical credential.

Etymology and usage reflect the word’s dual sense as both a private credential and a public catchphrase. The concept of a watchword or guiding phrase underpins the broader meaning, while the credential sense is central in modern digital contexts. The term is primarily encountered in Polish and related discussions of language, security, and public communication.

See also: Password, Slogan, Watchword.