pokoi

Pokoi is not a standalone term in Polish; it is the genitive plural form of the noun pokój, which means a room. In everyday use, pokój refers to a distinct enclosed space within a building that is used for living, working, sleeping, or other activities. The plural nominative of pokój is pokoje, as in “cztery pokoje” (four rooms).

Etymology and sense have origins in the Proto-Slavic concept of peace, rest, or quiet, with pokój evolving to denote a private, sheltered space within a dwelling. Over time, the word broadened to include various kinds of rooms in homes, offices, and public buildings. The genitive plural form pokoi appears in phrases such as “brak pokoi” (no rooms) or “liczba pokoi w mieszkaniu” (the number of rooms in the apartment).

In usage, pokój and its forms are common in real estate, interior design, and hospitality. Common compound terms include pokój dzienny (living room), pokój sypialny or sypialnia (bedroom), and pokój gościnny (guest room). The term is also used in architectural descriptions and house plans, where “liczba pokoi” specifies how many rooms a dwelling contains.

Cultural and linguistic notes: the concept of pokój as a private, quiet space is central to home life in Polish-speaking regions, influencing expressions about comfort, privacy, and spatial layout. While pokoi appears primarily as a grammatical form, it appears frequently in written and spoken Polish whenever rooms are discussed. See also pokój, pokoje, and related housing terminology.