pozdrowieniem

Pożdrowieniem is the instrumental singular form of the Polish noun pozdrowienie, which denotes a greeting or expression of goodwill. The base noun pozdrowienie refers to the act or instance of greeting someone. The instrumental form appears primarily in fixed phrases used in writing, most notably z pozdrowieniem, meaning “with a greeting,” which is commonly used as a closing in letters and emails.

Etymology: The word pozdrowienie is derived from the verb pozdrawiać/pozdrawić (to greet) with the prefix po- and is historically linked to wishing health (related to zdrowie). Cognates exist in other Slavic languages, such as Russian pozdrav.

Usage: In formal correspondence, the instrumental pozdrowieniem occurs in the closing phrase or as part of a descriptive expression: z pozdrowieniem or z pozdrowieniami (“with a greeting” / “with greetings”). The noun pozdrowienie can also appear in sentences in the nominative or other cases, for example Otrzymałem pozdrowienie (I received a greeting). The phrase serdeczne pozdrowienia is widely used to express warm regards in letters, cards, and emails. In everyday speech, speakers more commonly use the verb pozdrawiać or the closing Pozdrawiam rather than relying on the noun and its instrumental form.

Form notes: Pozdrowienie is a neuter noun; plural pozdrowienia; instrumental singular pozdrowieniem; after the preposition z the form pozdrowieniem is used in the common phrase z pozdrowieniem.