obcego

Obcego is a form of the Polish word obcy, which functions as an adjective meaning foreign, alien, or unfamiliar, and also as a noun meaning a foreigner or stranger in certain grammatical cases. The form obcego is most commonly seen as the genitive singular or accusative singular of obcy, and as the genitive singular of the noun obcy itself.

As an adjective, obcy describes something not originating from the speaker’s country or culture, for example in phrases such as język obcego pochodzenia (a language of foreign origin) or materiały obcego pochodzenia (materials of foreign origin). As a noun, obcy can refer to a person who is a stranger or foreigner; obcego is the form used in the genitive and accusative cases, as in Spotkałem obcego (I met a stranger). The term can carry neutral, descriptive, or pejorative connotations depending on context, tone, and accompanying words.

In broader usage, obcy is connected to concepts like obcość (foreignness) and cudzoziemiec (foreigner). It appears in sociolinguistic, cultural, and literary discussions to denote otherness or difference, whether describing people, cultures, or objects that are not part of one’s own group.

See also: cudzoziemiec, obcość.