duch

Duch is a term used in several Slavic languages, notably Polish, Czech, and Slovak, to denote a ghost or spirit—an incorporeal being associated with the soul of a deceased person. In these languages it can also refer to the non-physical essence of a person, culture, or era, as in phrases like the spirit of a people. In religious contexts, the phrase Duch Święty (Polish) or Duch svatý (Czech/Slovak) refers to the Holy Spirit.

Etymology and scope: The word duch is descended from proto-Slavic roots related to breath and life and is cognate with terms across neighboring Slavic languages. It covers both supernatural entities in folklore and the abstract sense of spirit or mood.

Folk beliefs and literature: In traditional belief, a duch can be a restless or deceased soul that may haunt places, objects, or people. In folklore and popular culture, such beings range from malevolent to benevolent, and rituals or prayers for the dead are sometimes described as guiding a duch to the afterlife or easing unrest. In literature, duch figures appear as specters or supernatural guides and are used to convey atmosphere, memory, or moral lessons.

Modern usage: The term is common in everyday speech to refer to spirits or ghosts and is also used metaphorically to describe the essential character or atmosphere of a place, era, or movement—the “spirit” of something.

See also: Ghost, Spirit, Holy Spirit, Folklore.