Powszechnej

Powszechnej is the feminine genitive singular form of the Polish adjective powszechny, meaning general, widespread, or universal. In Polish, adjectives agree with the gender, number, and case of the nouns they modify, so powszechny changes to powszechnej when used with a feminine noun in the genitive singular. This form appears in phrases where the noun is in genitive, for example: powszechnej nauki (general knowledge), powszechnej opinii (general opinion), or powszechnej zgody (general consent).

Etymology and meaning: the adjective powszechny derives from the root wszech- (all, whole) and denotes something that concerns or relates to all or many members of a group, rather than something particular or specific. It is closely related to other Polish compounds and to synonyms such as ogólny and uniwersalny, though each carries its own nuance. powszechny typically carries a formal or normative tone and is common in academic, legal, and public discourse.

Usage and nuance: powszechnej is most often encountered in written Polish, especially in contexts that require precise description of a general characteristic or widespread occurrence. It contrasts with forms that describe particular or singular cases. While powszechny and its inflected forms are widely understood, speakers may choose ogólny for a more neutral, everyday register or uniwersalny when emphasizing universality beyond a single domain.

See also: powszechny, wszech-, ogólny, uniwersalny.