smaczny

Smaczny is a Polish adjective meaning tasty or delicious. It is used to describe the flavor of food and meals and expresses a positive evaluation of taste. The term can refer to a wide range of edible items, from dishes and snacks to drinks, sauces, and desserts.

Etymology and grammar: Smaczny derives from the noun smak, meaning taste, with the common adjective-forming suffix -czny. Like other Polish adjectives, it inflects for gender and number. The basic forms are smaczny (masculine singular), smaczna (feminine singular), and smaczne (neuter singular). In the plural, typical forms are smaczni for masculine personal, and smaczne for other plural groups.

Usage and nuances: Smaczny describes pleasant taste and can be used in neutral to positive contexts. It is common in everyday speech and cooking media. It is somewhat less intense than synonyms like pyszny or wyśmienity, which convey stronger or more refined tastiness. The word also appears in common phrases such as Smacznego, said before a meal as a wish for a good appetite. In examples, one might say: Zupa była smaczna. Obiad był smaczny. Smaczny can describe both simple home cooking and more elaborate dishes.

Related terms: Niesmaczny is the direct opposite, meaning unappetizing or not tasty. Synonyms include pyszny, wyborny, and znakomity, which convey higher intensity.

See also: smak, niesmaczny, pyszny.