znajoma

Znajoma is the feminine noun in Polish that refers to a female person whom one knows, typically with a relatively casual or limited level of acquaintance. The term denotes a social relation that is less intimate than friendship, and it is commonly used to describe someone from work, school, neighborhood, or other everyday contexts. In English, it is often translated as “female acquaintance” or “a known woman.”

Origin and form: The word is the feminine form of the related noun znajomy (male acquaintance). It is derived from the verb znać, meaning “to know,” and appears in Polish to designate a person known to someone without implying a close relationship. The plural forms are znajomi (mixed or male) and znajome (all female).

Usage and nuance: Znajoma is used when referring to a woman you know but do not consider a close friend. For example, “To moja znajoma z pracy” means “She is my female acquaintance from work.” The phrase “dawna znajoma” can indicate an acquaintance from the past, while “stara znajoma” is a colloquial variant. Depending on context, the term can carry a neutral tone or a hint of formality.

Related terms: Znajomość refers to the broader concept of knowledge or familiarity, and can denote the relationship itself. Pronouns and forms adapt to gender and number: znajomy (masculine), znajomych (genitive/plural), znajoma (feminine), znajome (plural feminine).

See also: Znajomość, znajomy, koleżanka.