niewiadomo

Niewiadomo is a Polish adverb meaning unknown or not known. It is used to express uncertainty about information, a fact, or a source, and often introduces a clause, as in niewiadomo, kiedy to nastąpi or niewiadomo, skąd to pochodzi. The word can also stand alone as an interjection in informal speech, roughly equivalent to “I don’t know” or “who knows.”

Etymology and usage notes: Niewiadomo is formed from the negation nie- attached to the root related to knowing, with the sense “not known.” In modern Polish it functions across formal and informal registers. It commonly precedes subordinate clauses to hedge statements about time, place, cause, or origin, and it can appear as a free-standing remark to signal uncertainty.

Contexts and examples: In everyday language, niewiadomo helps avoid asserting uncertain information. Examples include: “Niewiadomo, co spowodowało awarię” (Unknown is what caused the failure), “Niewiadomo, kiedy przyjedzie,” and “Niewiadomo, skąd pochodzi ta wiadomość.” In journalism or formal writing, it may indicate missing or unverifiable details, signaling caution rather than certainty.

Related terms and notes: Niewiadomo relates to other Polish expressions of uncertainty, such as nie wiedzieć and to the noun wiedza (knowledge). It is part of a broader linguistic practice of hedging in Polish, allowing speakers and writers to convey doubt without making definitive claims.