momentami

Momentami is a Polish adverb meaning at times or sporadically, used to indicate that a situation or action occurs intermittently rather than continuously. It can describe fluctuations in intensity, frequency, or presence over a span of time.

Etymology and form: The word derives from the noun moment with the adverbial suffix -ami, a productive pattern in Polish for forming adverbs that convey manner or frequency. It appears across formal and informal registers and interacts with other time-related words in nuanced ways.

Usage and examples: Momentami is common in spoken Polish, journalism, and literary prose. It often signals variability within a broader period. For example: “W pracy bywało ciężko, momentami ruch na biurku zwalniał, a później znów przyspieszał.” or “Momentami deszcz padał mocno, a potem przestawał.” In these contexts, momentami highlights that conditions are not constant.

Nuance and relationship to synonyms: Momentami emphasizes intermittent or uneven occurrences, distinct from words like czasami (sometimes) or sporadycznie (infrequently). It can carry a slightly editorial or descriptive tone, helping to sketch a changing rhythm rather than a simple frequency.

See also: czasami, sporadycznie, nieregularnie. References to usage may vary by region and genre, but momentami remains a standard, widely understood term in contemporary Polish.