Panowie

Panowie is the plural form of the Polish honorific pan, used to address or refer to a group of men in formal or polite speech. It functions similarly to Mr. or Sir in English, and is commonly seen in direct address as well as in written form. In conversations with mixed-gender groups, panowie can be used to address the men in the group, while pani or panie refer to women.

Historically, pan was a title associated with social status and respect, used in noble and everyday contexts to denote a man of some standing or authority. In modern Polish, the term remains a standard part of formal etiquette and everyday courtesy, though it is less common in casual, intimate speech. The plural form panowie is also used in formal speeches, introductions, and service settings to address a group of men, and the vocative form is typically identical to the nominative: Panowie, proszę.

In contemporary usage, panowie may appear with a surname to address a group of men linked to a family or organization, as in Panowie Kowalscy. It is also used with first names in more formal contexts, such as Panie Janie or Pan Janie in respectful address, though this is less common in everyday conversation. The feminine equivalents are pani (singular) and panie (plural).

Etymologically, pan derives from Proto-Slavic roots meaning master or lord and is cognate with related terms in other Slavic languages. The word remains a central element of Polish social etiquette and linguistic tradition.