nowy

Nowy is a Polish adjective meaning "new," used to describe something that is recently created or introduced. In Polish, adjectives agree with the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify. The basic forms in nominative singular are nowy (masculine), nowa (feminine), and nowe (neuter). In plural, the form is nowi for masculine personal nouns and nowe for other plural nouns.

Etymology and related forms: Nowy derives from the Proto-Slavic root *novъ, meaning "new." Related words appear in other Slavic languages, such as Russian novyy, Ukrainian novyi, and Czech nový. Derivatives in Polish include nowość (novelty) and nowoczesny (modern).

Usage and toponymy: Nowy is frequently found in Polish place names, often as a prefix indicating a newer settlement relative to an older one. Examples include Nowy Sącz, a city in Lesser Poland Voivodeship; Nowy Targ, a town in Lesser Poland; Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, a town near Warsaw; and Nowy Dwór Gdański, in Pomeranian Voivodeship. In such toponyms, Nowy is capitalized as part of the proper name.

See also: Polish language, toponymy, etymology of Slavic words meaning new.

This article provides a concise overview of the linguistic meaning, grammatical behavior, and common toponymic use of the word Nowy in Polish.