krytyka

Krytyka is a Polish noun meaning criticism, critique, or evaluative judgment. It denotes both the act of making a critical assessment and the body of analysis that results from such assessment, as well as the field or discipline concerned with evaluating works, ideas, or performances.

Etymology: The word derives from Greek kritikos, meaning “able to judge,” from krinein, meaning “to separate, decide.” It reached Polish through Latin critĭca and later through other languages such as German Kritik and French critique.

Usage and scope: In Polish, krytyka is used across fields such as literature, art, film, music, and philosophy to refer to evaluated works and to the practice of examination and interpretation. Common phrases include krytyka literacka (literary criticism), krytyka sztuki (art criticism), and krytyka filmowa (film criticism). The term also appears in intellectual contexts to denote critical examination of ideas, theories, or social practices, not merely judgments of taste.

Role in discourse: Critics analyze form, context, themes, and methods; they may evaluate originality, significance, and quality, while interpreting works and situating them within historical or theoretical frameworks. The concept also informs debates about standards, evidence, and methodological commitments in a given field.

See also: criticism, literary criticism, art criticism.