rzecz

Rzecz is a Polish noun meaning “thing,” “object,” or “matter.” It covers both concrete items and abstract issues. In everyday language it can refer to a physical object, as in Ta rzecz leży na stole (This thing lies on the table), or to a topic or situation, as in To ważna rzecz (That is an important matter). The word also appears in fixed phrases and in the formation of other words, such as rzeczownik (noun) and the historical proper noun Rzeczpospolita.

Rzecz is a feminine noun and is declined like other feminine Polish nouns. It has both singular and plural forms, and its usage spans everyday conversation and formal or literary contexts. Because of its broad sense, it easily pairs with adjectives and verbs to express concrete descriptions or abstract considerations.

Derivatives and related terms include rzeczownik (noun), rzecznik (spokesperson), and przymiotniki derived from the root, such as rzeczowy (relevant, factual, substantive) and rzeczywisty (real). The word also appears in the name of historical and political concepts, most notably Rzeczpospolita, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, a polity that existed roughly from the 16th to the late 18th century.

Notes on usage: rzecz is highly versatile and common in Polish. It often functions as a generic reference to objects or issues and appears in everyday speech, idiomatic expressions, and academic or historical texts. The plural rzecz, rzeczy (things), is a frequent form in conversation and writing.