zasad

Zasad is the genitive plural form of the Polish noun zasada, meaning principle or rule. In everyday usage, zasad appears primarily in phrases that require the genitive plural, such as when referring to multiple rules or principles in a general sense. It is not used as a standalone nominative form; the nominative plural is zasady.

Grammatical notes: zasada is a feminine noun. Its declined forms include zasady (nominative plural), zasad (genitive plural), zasadom (dative plural), and zasadami (instrumental plural). The form zasad is most commonly encountered after prepositions or verbs that govern genitive case, for example in expressions like trzymać się zasad (to follow the rules) or naruszenia zasad (violations of the rules).

Semantic scope: zasada covers the notions of a rule, principle, guideline, or standard. The word can refer to social norms, formal rules, or general principles guiding behavior or procedures. In technical or organizational contexts, it often appears in statements that emphasize compliance with established principles.

Usage notes: To express multiple rules in the nominative sense, Polish uses zasady. When the speaker needs to indicate possession or reference to rules in a general or abstract way, zasad (genitive plural) is used after appropriate verbs or prepositions. Although zasad is a common grammatical form, it is not independently translated as a separate concept from zasada; it functions as the grammatical marker for a plural set of rules.

See also: zasada, zasady, zasadowy.