prawdziwy

Prawdziwy is a Polish adjective meaning real, true, or genuine. It describes something that corresponds to fact, reality, or essence, and can modify nouns or be used predicatively. Examples include prawdziwy przyjaciel (a true friend) or To jest prawdziwy problem (This is a real problem).

Etymology: The word is derived from the Slavic root prav- meaning right, correct, or truth, and is closely connected with the noun prawda (truth). Cognates appear across Slavic languages, such as Czech pravdivý and Russian pravdivyy, all conveying authenticity or veracity.

Morphology: Prawdziwy inflects for gender and number: masculine singular prawdziwy, feminine singular prawdziwa, neuter singular prawdziwe; plural forms include prawdziwi (masculine personal) and prawdziwe (non-masculine plural). The comparative form is prawdziwszy; the superlative najprawdziwszy. The adverbial form is prawdziwie. Antonyms include fałszywy and nieprawdziwy; synonyms include autentyczny, rzeczywisty, realny.

Usage: In everyday language prawdziwy denotes authenticity or integrity, not merely factuality, and is used for people (prawdziwy człowiek), objects (prawdziwy skarb), or concepts (prawdziwe oblicze). It often contrasts with pozorny (ostensibly) or fałszywy. In advertising or journalism, prawdziwy may be used to emphasize genuineness, though the register depends on context. The related noun is prawdziwość (truthfulness).

See also: prawda, prawdziwość, autentyczny, rzeczywisty.