sprytne

Sprytne is a form of the Polish adjective sprytny meaning clever, resourceful, or cunning. It is used with neuter nouns in the singular and with feminine nouns in the plural. For example, sprytne dziecko describes a clever or resourceful child (neuter singular), and sprytne kobiety describes clever or resourceful women (feminine plural). Other gender-number forms of the same adjective are sprytny (masculine singular), sprytna (feminine singular), and sprytni (masculine personal plural).

Etymology and related forms: The form sprytne derives from the base noun spryt, meaning cleverness or craftiness, and is related to the broader family of sprytny in Polish. Cognates appear in other Slavic languages, such as Czech sprytný, reflecting a shared root for “clever” or “cunning.” The word carries a nuance of practical aptitude and quick wittedness.

Usage and nuance: Sprytne typically conveys a sense of practical intelligence, ingenuity, or shrewdness. It can describe people, animals, or objects and is common in everyday speech as well as in writing. The connotation is usually positive, emphasizing adaptability and clever problem-solving, though in some contexts it can hint at slyness or cunning if used with negative framing, as in sprytne kłamstwo (a cunning lie).

See also: spryt, sprytny, sprytnie. Sprytny and its related forms cover the full spectrum of gendered and plural usage in Polish adjectives meaning clever or crafty.