wybiórczo

Wybiórczo is a Polish adverb meaning “in a selective manner” or “selectively.” It describes actions, statements, or presentations that emphasize certain elements while omitting others. The term is used across various domains to indicate that information or aspects have been chosen with a particular goal in mind.

Etymology and form: wybiórczo is derived from the noun wybiór meaning “selection” or “choosing,” combined with the adverbial suffix -czo. The related adjective wybiórczy describes something that is selective. The combination reflects a construction common in Polish for turning a noun of content into an adverb describing manner or method.

Usage and nuance: The word is employed in journalism, science, public discourse, and everyday speech to note a selective presentation or approach. While it can be neutral, it often carries a hint of critique, implying cherry-picking or biased emphasis when used about data, summaries, or arguments. In neutral contexts it merely signals that elements were chosen rather than presented in full.

Examples:

Raport prezentowano wybiórczo, pomijając koszty i ryzyka.

Dane zostały wybriórczo dobrane, aby podkreślić pozytywny aspekt projektu.

See also: Selektywność and selektywnie, which express related ideas about choosing elements carefully. In Polish, внимание should be paid to avoid confusion with proper nouns such as Gazeta Wyborcza, a separate publication whose name resembles the root but is unrelated to the adverbial use.