szanse

Szanse is a Polish noun in the plural form of szansa, and it covers a broad semantic field related to probability, likelihood, as well as opportunities or possibilities. In everyday language, szanse can refer to the chances of a certain outcome (szanse na powodzenie, szanse na wygraną) as well as to possibilities for action or development (szanse rozwoju). In formal contexts such as statistics or risk assessment, szanse is often used interchangeably with prawdopodobieństwo, though the latter is more precise in mathematical terms.

Etymology and usage notes: the word is a native Polish borrowing from foreign sources, with cognates in German and French (chance). The meaning has expanded in common usage to encompass both the idea of probability and the notion of opportunities available to someone at a given moment.

Common expressions and nuances: szanse on its own implies multiple or collective possibilities, and it is common to construct phrases like “duże szanse” (great chances), “małe szanse” (small chances), or “szanse na sukces” (chances of success). The negation “nie ma szans” conveys that there is no possibility at all. Distinctions with related terms include szansa (singular, a single chance or opportunity) and synonyms such as okazje, możliwości; in probability contexts, prawdopodobieństwo is used for the formal measure.

Contextual uses: the term often appears in journalism, policy discussions, and sociological or economic analysis to describe opportunities available to individuals, groups, or organizations, as well as to express the likelihood of particular outcomes.

See also: szansa, prawdopodobieństwo, możliwość, okazja, ryzyko, szanse życiowe.