poszukiwanie

Poszukiwanie is a Polish noun meaning the act or process of searching or seeking something. It covers physical search for objects, people, or places, as well as abstract quests such as the pursuit of truth, meaning, or solutions. In everyday and technical language it can denote a deliberate, ongoing activity rather than a single act.

Etymology and form: The noun is derived from the verb poszukiwać (to search) with the noun-forming suffix -anie and the prefix po-. The related verb szukać is the more general term for “to seek”; poszukiwanie thus conveys a more systematic or sustained search.

Domains and usage: In daily life, common collocations include poszukiwanie pracy (job search), poszukiwanie mieszkania (house-hunting), poszukiwanie skarbu (treasure hunting). In science and philosophy, it refers to the pursuit of knowledge, hypotheses, or meaning, e.g., poszukiwanie wiedzy, poszukiwanie rozwiązań, poszukiwanie sensu życia. In law enforcement and archaeology, it can describe organized investigative or exploratory searches.

Nuance: Poszukiwanie often implies a methodical, planned effort and may involve resources, time, or uncertainty. It is generally neutral in tone, while more specific terms like szukanie or wyszukiwanie can carry different stylistic or technical connotations.

See also: szukanie, wyszukiwanie, poszukiwanie sensu.