zatyk

Zatyk is a Polish noun that centers on the idea of blocking or hindering. In everyday usage it most often denotes a blockage or obstruction in a physical system, such as a pipe, drain, or filter, where flow is impeded. The term can also describe a bottleneck or choke point in a process, project, or workflow, indicating slow or halted progress.

In addition to its literal senses, zatyk can be used in a more abstract or figurative way to denote an impediment in plans or sequences of events. The word’s exact connotation depends on context, and speakers may choose more specific terms in technical or specialized settings.

Origin and forms: zatyk derives from the verb zatkać, meaning to clog or obstruct, with the noun form signifying the thing that blocks. Common related adjectives and compounds include zatkany (blocked) and, less commonly, zatykowy in descriptive phrases. Related terms frequently used in similar contexts are zator (a broader obstruction or blockage), blokada (blockade), and zatyczka (a stopper or plug in a container).

Usage and register: zatyk is a standard Polish term found in normal prose and speech. In some contexts, especially technical or medical, other words such as zator or blokada may be preferred for precision. In everyday traffic talk, korek is the more common term for a traffic jam, though zatyk may appear regionally or stylistically.

See also: zator, korek, blokada, zatyczka.