Etymology

Considered derogatory until the 19th century; now the standard, neutral word. Origin uncertain; probably either from Old Polish kob ‎(“pigpen”) or koba ‎(“mare”); the suffix -ieta is found in some contemporaneous female names (Markieta, Elżbieta, Greta). Displaced niewiasta (now considered poetic) and żona (meaning narrowed down to "wife").

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [kɔˈbʲjɛta]