strona

Strona is a Polish noun with several closely related meanings. The most common senses are physical and textual: a side or surface of an object (for example, left or right side – „lewa strona” / „prawa strona”) and a page of a book or document (for example, „strona 42”). In contemporary usage, it also denotes a page on the internet, as in „strona internetowa” or simply „strona WWW.” The terms „strona główna” (home page) and „strona kontaktowa” (contact page) are widely used in web contexts.

In more figurative or argumentative contexts, „strona” can refer to a party or side in a dispute or discussion, as in „strony konfliktu” or „strony w sporze.” The common phrase „z jednej strony … z drugiej strony” introduces contrasting considerations or perspectives.

Etymology and cognates: the word originates from Proto-Slavic *strana, meaning 'side' or 'face.' It has cognates in other Slavic languages, such as Russian storona (сторона) and Czech strana, which share the sense of a side or surface, and in some contexts a page or part.

Usage notes: Polish forms numerous compound nouns and expressions with strona, including „strona tytułowa” (title page) and „strona internetowa” (website). The plural „strony” can refer to multiple pages or to the parties involved in a dispute, depending on context.

Overall, strona is a versatile term central to everyday language in books, documents, media, and discourse, encompassing physical sides, pages, and figurative aspects of discussion.