starzy

Starzy is a Polish word that primarily functions as the masculine plural form of the adjective stary, meaning old. It is commonly used to refer to elderly people, either as an attributive modifier (starzy ludzie, the elderly people) or as a substantive noun by itself to denote a group of older individuals (the old ones).

In usage, starzy can appear in sentences where the group is clear from context. For example, starzy mówią, że młodzi nie rozumieją zmian; literally, “the old ones say that the young don’t understand changes.” When used as a noun, the term conveys a collective sense and can carry neutral or affectionate connotations depending on tone and context. In formal or respectful writing, speakers and writers often prefer terms such as seniorzy or osoby starsze to avoid potential informality or bluntness.

Grammatical notes indicate that starzy is the masculine plural form used with masculine personal nouns. Its primary role is to describe or reference people who are older, rather than to describe the concept of aging itself.

Etymology traces starzy to the Slavic root *star-, meaning old, shared across many Slavic languages. The word appears across Polish literature, media, and everyday speech as part of discussions about aging, generation, and social roles within families and communities.

See also: seniorzy, osoby starsze, elderly, gerontology.