nielegalna

Nielegalna is a Polish adjective meaning illegal, used to describe actions, objects, or entities that are not in accordance with the law. It is the feminine singular form of the adjective nielegalny; the masculine form is nielegalny, the neuter form nielegalne, and plural forms include nielegalni (masculine personal) and nielegalne (neuter/mixed or general plural). It is commonly used with nouns such as działalność nielegalna (illegal activity), handel nielegalny (illegal trade), or imigracja nielegalna (illegal immigration).

The term is derived from the prefix nie- indicating negation and the word legalny meaning lawful. In everyday language, nielegalna is a neutral descriptor of something that contravenes the law. In legal and formal contexts, it is often preferred to more precise phrases such as sprzeczny z prawem or niezgodny z prawem, depending on nuance. The word can also appear in discussions of policy and politics, where phrases like nielegalna imigracja are used to refer to unauthorized movement across borders.

Related nouns include nielegalność (illegality) and the adverb nielegalnie (illegally). While synonyms exist—such as bezprawny, which emphasizes a broader lack of legal authority, or niezgodny z prawem, which stresses violation of specific laws—the choice of term often reflects tone and specificity. Nielegalna remains widely understood in contemporary Polish and is adaptable across formal and informal contexts.