zagraniczne

Zagraniczne is a Polish adjective form meaning foreign or relating to foreign countries. It is the form used with feminine plural and with neuter singular or plural nouns, for example zagraniczne inwestycje (foreign investments), zagraniczne studia (foreign studies), or zagraniczne samochody (foreign cars). The word describes origin, origin of origin, or involvement with other countries, and is commonly found in contexts such as business, education, travel, and public discourse. It is typically contrasted with krajowe or domestic, and with terms describing origin inside Poland.

In usage, zagraniczne appears in a wide range of expressions. In economics and law one encounters zagraniczne inwestycje, zagraniczne firmy, or zagraniczne portfele. In education and culture there are zagraniczne uczelnie, zagraniczne programy studiów, or zagraniczne media. In travel and logistics one may read about zagraniczne loty or zagraniczne linie lotnicze. The adjective agrees with the noun it modifies, so its form changes according to gender, number, and case, with zagraniczne commonly appearing with neuter singular and feminine plural nouns, and with masculine non-personal plural in other forms such as zagraniczni for masculine personal plural.

Etymology traces zagraniczne to zagranica, meaning the foreign lands, from za granicą beyond the border. The prefix za- indicates beyond, while granica means border. Today zagraniczne is a standard descriptive term in Polish for anything connected with abroad or foreign origin, used across media, commerce, education, and everyday speech. Historically, zagranica as a noun can appear in older or literary language to denote foreign lands.