szansa

Szansa is a Polish noun meaning chance, opportunity, or likelihood. It denotes a possibility that something may occur and is used in a wide range of contexts—from everyday speech to media reporting. Phrases include "mam szansę" (I have a chance), "duża szansa" (a high chance), "mała szansa" (a small chance), and "szansa na sukces" (a chance for success). In sports and gaming, "szanse" expresses odds or prospects, e.g., "szanse na wygraną." The related verb forms include "mieć szansę" (to have a chance) and "stracić szansę" (to miss a chance).

Etymology: Szansa is generally regarded as a loanword from Western European languages; etymology is debated, with widely cited connections to German "Chance" or French "chance." The spelling with initial "sz" reflects Polish phonology. The noun is used in both singular and plural forms (szansa, szanse) and follows standard Polish declension.

Usage and nuance: The word covers practical sense (opportunity) as well as probabilistic sense (likelihood). It appears in everyday talk about employment, elections, risk, and prospects, as well as in more formal discussions where "prawdopodobieństwo" is used for mathematical probability. Distinctions from related terms include "okazja" (a favorable occasion) and "możliwość" (a general possibility), while "prawdopodobieństwo" is the technical term for probability.

See also: Polish language, Probability, Opportunity.