liryczny

Liryczny is an adjective in Polish that translates to "lyrical" in English. It describes something that pertains to or embodies the lyric quality—expressing personal feeling, emotion, or melodic imagery. The term is derived from the noun liryka (lyric poetry), which in turn comes from the Greek and Latin roots associated with the lyre and sung or chanted poetry.

In literary usage, liryczny characterizes poetry and prose that foregrounds the speaker’s inner experiences and subjective perspective. It is often contrasted with epic or dramatic modes. Typical features include first-person voice, intimate or emotional tone, musicality in language, and vivid imagery. Polish literary discussion distinguishes poezja liryczna (lyrical poetry) as a major genre, encompassing forms such as sonnets, odes, and elegies. The concept has historical roots in ancient Greek lyric poetry and has evolved through the Romance and Romantic periods, with Polish poets like Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki, and Cyprian Kamil Norwid associated with strong lyric expression in their lyric poems and songs.

In music, liryczny can describe pieces that emphasize melodic emotion and personal expression. A utwór liryczny (lyrical work) or piosenka liryczna (lyrical song) highlights tuneful, evocative qualities over narrative complexity. In linguistic and stylistic analysis, the term may denote a lyrical register or style—speech or writing that aims to convey mood, sentiment, and imagery rather than argumentative or descriptive detail.

See also: liryka, liryk, lyrical in other languages.