samowolny

Samowolny is a Polish adjective meaning unauthorized or self-willed. It describes actions performed without legal or formal authorization, or decisions made independently and contrary to rules or official instructions. The word is formed from sam- meaning “self” and wola meaning “will” and is used to emphasize that the act was taken by someone's own initiative without proper consent or authority.

In legal and administrative language, the noun samowola denotes acts carried out without permission. A common example is samowola budowlana, referring to construction work performed without the required permits or approvals. The term can also apply to other unauthorized actions that bypass established procedures, rules, or oversight.

In everyday usage, samowolny appears in phrases like "to samowolne działanie" (this is a self-willed action). It often carries a negative connotation, signaling criticism of unilateral or non-consensual behavior, whether in personal, organizational, or political contexts. The concept is used to describe situations where an individual or group disregards rules, regulations, or the rights of others in pursuit of their own interests.

See also: samowola, samowolnie. Etymologically, samowolny reflects the Indo-European roots of sam- “self” and wola “will,” illustrating how the term has long been used in Polish to denote actions taken without proper authorization or consent.