bøg

Bóg is the Polish word for God. It is a proper noun when referring to the singular, monotheistic God in Christian, Jewish, and Islamic contexts, and is capitalized in that sense. The lowercase bog refers to a deity in general or to gods in polytheistic belief systems.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from Proto-Slavic *bogъ and is cognate with related words in other Slavic languages. In early Slavic usage, it could denote a general divine power, while in many sources a range of deities existed; after Christianization, Bóg came to designate the one God of monotheistic faiths.

Religious and cultural context: In Poland, Bóg is primarily associated with the Christian tradition, especially Catholicism, where God is conceived as the creator, ruler and judge of the universe; the language emphasizes a personal, present deity who interacts with humanity. The term appears in liturgy, prayer and religious instruction. The language also produces the vocative Boże (Oh God) and phrases such as Boże Narodzenie (God’s Nativity).

Contemporary usage: Outside strictly religious contexts, Bóg can appear in literature and philosophy as a symbol or concept. The plural bogowie is used for deities of polytheistic or mythological traditions. In public discourse, discussions about faith, secularism and morals frequently reference the idea of Bóg and its role in society.