przyjaciela

Przyjaciela is the genitive singular form of the Polish noun przyjaciel, which translates as “friend” in English. In Polish grammar, the genitive case is used to indicate possession, absence, or relationships with other nouns, so przyjaciela typically appears in contexts such as “bez przyjaciela” (without a friend) or “książka przyjaciela” (the friend’s book). The word przyjaciel is a masculine animate noun; its nominative plural is przyjaciele, and the accusative singular matches the nominative form.

Etymologically, przyjaciel derives from the Old Slavic root *prijati* meaning “to like” or “to be dear to,” combined with the suffix -el, which forms agent nouns. The term has cognates in other Slavic languages, such as Czech přítel and Russian друг (although the latter comes from a different root). Throughout Polish literature, przyjaciel frequently appears in proverbs and sayings that emphasize loyalty and solidarity, for example “Prawdziwy przyjaciel to ten, kto przychodzi, gdy wszyscy inni odchodzą” (a true friend is one who comes when everyone else leaves).

In contemporary usage, przyjaciel and its feminine counterpart przyjaciółka denote close personal relationships, social support networks, or informal alliances. The word is also employed metaphorically in political discourse to describe allied nations or parties. While the basic meaning remains constant, nuances may shift depending on context, ranging from casual acquaintances to lifelong confidants.