krótkim

Krótkim is the instrumental singular form of the Polish adjective krótki, which means short or brief. It is used when the adjective modifies a masculine or neuter noun in the instrumental case, often in prepositional phrases or expressions that require the instrumental. For example, in phrases such as po krótkim czasie (after a short time) or z krótkim opisem (with a short description). The form also appears in contexts like z krótkim rękawem (with a short sleeve) or w krótkim czasie, depending on the preposition governing the construction.

In Polish, adjectives decline by gender, number, and case. The nominative masculine singular form of krótki is krótk-i, but in the instrumental singular it becomes krótk-im, yielding krótkim. The feminine instrumental form is krótką, and the neuter nominative/accusative form is krótkie. The plural forms differ across genders and cases as well. The form krótkim is therefore a common example of how Polish adjective inflections reflect grammatical role rather than fixed meaning.

Etymology and cognates: krótki originates from the Proto-Slavic root meaning “short.” Related adjectives in other Slavic languages include Russian короткий, Ukrainian короткий, Czech krátký, all sharing the same basic meaning and a similar pattern of inflection in their respective languages.

Usage notes: Krótkim is primarily used to describe duration, extent, or length in a concise way. It contrasts with longer or more expansive descriptors and is frequently found in formal writing, journalism, and everyday speech. The adverbial form short is krótko, derived from the same root.