próżność
/ˈpruʐ.nɔɕt͡ɕ/feminine
The Polish word for vanity is próżność.
The noun próżność refers to excessive pride.
Meaning: excessive pride (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable. The IPA is /ˈpruʐ.nɔɕtɕ/.
Did you know?
- The term próżność is distinct from pycha, which refers to a more aggressive form of pride or hubris.
- While próżność describes a character flaw, the word próżnować means to idle or waste time, deriving from the same root of emptiness.
- The root of próżność is the word próżny, which also means 'empty'. In Polish, vanity is conceptually linked to being hollow or lacking substance.
Examples in context
- Jej największą wadą jest próżność.Her greatest flaw is vanity.
- Próżność nie zawsze idzie w parze z pięknem.Vanity does not always go hand in hand with beauty.
- Ta próżność go zgubi.This vanity will be his downfall.
Example conversation
Tomasz and Małgorzata are discussing a mutual acquaintance.
- TomaszOn ciągle chwali się nowym autem.He keeps bragging about his new car.
- MałgorzataTo tylko jego wielka próżność.That is just his great vanity.
- TomaszCzy on nie widzi, że to nudne?Doesn't he see that it's boring?
- MałgorzataNiestety, on kocha być w centrum uwagi.Unfortunately, he loves being the center of attention.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vanity” translations and entries próżność, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
