Odtwarzaj

Odtwarzaj is the imperative form of the Polish verb odtwarzać, meaning to reproduce, to play back, or to perform again. It is used to instruct someone to start playback of audio or video, or to resume playback after a pause. In everyday speech it can function as a direct command to a single listener, as in Odtwarzaj ten utwór. The corresponding perfective form is odtwórz, used for a one-time action.

In modern Polish, odtwarzaj is widely encountered in technology and media interfaces as a label for a "Play" button. On software players and streaming sites, it appears to prompt users to begin playback. The phrase is typically capitalized in user interfaces as Odtwarzaj, but may appear in lowercase in general text as odtwarzaj. The imperative forms for other subjects differ (Odtwarzajcie for plural you, Odtwórz for a single informal command with a nuance of completion).

Linguistically, odtwarzaj belongs to the odtwarzać family, formed with the prefix od- and the root related to tworzyć (to create). The sense developed to include replaying or reproducing previously created content. The verb contrasts with odtworzyć (perfective), which emphasizes completing the act of reproducing or playing back.

See also: odtwarzacz (media player), odtworzyć (to replay or reproduce, perfective), odtwarzanie (reproduction, playback).