Ugoda

Ugoda is a term used in several Slavic languages, most notably Polish and Ukrainian, to denote an agreement, settlement, or treaty that resolves a dispute or formalizes an arrangement. In Polish, ugoda typically refers to a settlement reached between parties to end a dispute, often in a civil or administrative context. It can also mean a broader compromise between interests, or a negotiated agreement outside of court. In Ukrainian, угода similarly covers contracts, treaties, and formal agreements, including international agreements and domestic pacts, with the nuance that it can describe both ordinary contracts and more formal treaties.

Etymology and usage. The word is cognate with related Slavic terms that express mutual accommodation or convenience. In legal language, ugoda or угода denotes an instrument by which parties agree on terms to resolve conflicts, settle claims, or regulate future relations. The concept often carries the sense of balance or compromise rather than a raw pledge or enforceable duty alone. In everyday speech, ugoda can describe a negotiated bargain or compromise reached in non-legal settings.

Examples and scope. Polish usage includes phrases such as ugoda sądowa (court settlement) and zawrzeć ugodę (to enter into a settlement). Ukrainian usage includes угода про партнерство (partnership agreement) and міжнародна угода (international treaty). The term also appears in historical or political contexts to describe peace settlements or truces, though in modern international law such instruments are typically termed treaties or agreements in formal language.

See also: compromise, treaty, contract.