stosowny

Stosowny is a Polish adjective meaning appropriate, fitting, or proper for a given context. It describes actions, remarks, attire, or moments that align with the circumstances, norms, or etiquette. The term is formal in tone and is commonly found in official, academic, or legal language, though it can also be used in everyday speech to emphasize propriety or suitability.

Grammar and usage: Stosowny agrees with the gender and number of the noun it modifies (masculine stosowny, feminine stosowna, neuter stosowne). In plural, forms adapt accordingly (e.g., stosowni for masculine plural, stosowne for other plural agreements). It can be used attributively before a noun or predicatively, as in "To było stosowne zachowanie" or "Wypowiedź była stosowna do sytuacji." Common collocations include "stosowny do okoliczności," "stosowna chwila," and "stosowny gest."

Stosowność is the related noun meaning propriety or suitability, and stosownie is the adverb meaning in a proper or appropriate manner. Synonyms include odpowiedni, właściwy, adekwatny, while antonyms include nieodpowiedni and niestosowny.

Origin and nuance: the word derives from a root connected with suitability and propriety, sharing semantic space with related terms such as stosowność. It signals that something is not merely acceptable, but precisely suited to the context or moment. Examples illustrate its use in evaluating discussions, behaviors, and choices in terms of their appropriateness.