jak

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how, as, like, when, if
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/jak/
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A core function word for questions of manner, comparisons, colloquial time or condition clauses, and degree, with a separate animal noun meaning yak.
Practice using jak in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Jak chcesz, możemy zacząć od razu.
    If you want, we can start right away.
  • Jak tu cicho!
    How quiet it is here!
  • Jak wrócisz, zjedz obiad.
    When you come back, eat dinner.
  • W zoo zobaczyliśmy dużego jaka.
    We saw a large yak at the zoo.
  • Zrób to jak najlepiej potrafisz.
    Do it as well as you can.

Similar words

jak tybetański
jakże
bardzo
możliwie
tak jak
jeśli
jeżeli
wół tybetański
niczym
podobnie jak

Meanings

Asking how

adverb
communication
neutral
Asks about the way, method, state, or condition in which something happens.

Examples

  • Nie wiem, jak to powiedzieć.
    I do not know how to say it.
  • Jak się nazywasz?
    What is your name?
  • Jak to zrobiłeś?
    How did you do it?
  • Zapytaj, jak możemy pomóc.
    Ask how we can help.
  • Pokazała mi, jak działa aplikacja.
    She showed me how the app works.

Similar words

w jaki sposób
jakże
jakim sposobem

Making comparisons

conjunction
communication
neutral
Introduces a comparison, example, or manner clause, close to English as or like.

Examples

  • Jest biały jak śnieg.
    It is white as snow.
  • Zrób to tak, jak pokazałem.
    Do it as I showed you.
  • Wyglądasz jak obcokrajowiec.
    You look like a foreigner.
  • Jak widać, plan się zmienił.
    As you can see, the plan has changed.
  • Pracuje jak lekarz na dyżurze.
    She works like a doctor on duty.

Similar words

tak jak
podobnie jak
niczym

When or if

conjunction
conversation
informal
Introduces a time or condition clause in everyday speech, meaning when or if.

Examples

  • Zadzwonię, jak skończę pracę.
    I will call when I finish work.
  • Jak będzie padać, zostaniemy w domu.
    If it rains, we will stay home.
  • Jak wrócisz, zjedz obiad.
    When you come back, eat dinner.
  • Jak chcesz, możemy zacząć od razu.
    If you want, we can start right away.
  • Powiedz mi, jak będziesz gotowy.
    Tell me when you are ready.

Similar words

kiedy
gdy
jeśli
jeżeli

Degree or possibility

adverb
communication
neutral
Marks degree in exclamations and combines with superlatives to mean as much, as soon, or as well as possible.

Examples

  • Jak tu cicho!
    How quiet it is here!
  • Przyjdź jak najszybciej.
    Come as soon as possible.
  • Zrób to jak najlepiej potrafisz.
    Do it as well as you can.
  • Nie wiedziałem, jak bardzo tęskniła.
    I did not know how much she missed it.
  • Postaraj się mówić jak najprościej.
    Try to speak as simply as possible.

Similar words

jakże
bardzo
możliwie

Yak

noun
animals
neutral
Names the long-haired bovine of Central Asia, especially the domesticated yak.

Examples

  • W zoo zobaczyliśmy dużego jaka.
    We saw a large yak at the zoo.
  • Skóra jaka chroni go przed zimnem.
    A yak coat protects it from the cold.
  • Hodowca opowiadał o mleku jaka.
    The breeder talked about yak milk.
  • Na zdjęciu widać jaka z długą sierścią.
    The photo shows a long-haired yak.
  • Stado jaków pasło się wysoko w górach.
    A herd of yaks grazed high in the mountains.

Similar words

jak tybetański
wół tybetański

Etymology

The function word continues Old Polish jak, shortened from older jako, from Proto-Slavic *jako. The animal noun was borrowed from English yak, ultimately from Tibetan.

FAQ

What does jak mean in Polish?

Jak most often means how, as, or like, and in everyday speech it can also mean when or if.

Is jak the same as jaki?

No. Jak asks how or links clauses, while jaki asks what kind or which before a noun.

Can jak mean when?

Yes. In everyday Polish, jak can introduce a time clause, as in Jak wrócisz, meaning when you come back.

Can jak mean if?

Yes. In informal conditional clauses, jak can mean if, as in Jak chcesz, meaning if you want.

How is jak used in comparisons?

Jak links comparisons such as biały jak śnieg, meaning white as snow.

What does jak najszybciej mean?

Jak najszybciej means as soon as possible, with jak strengthening the superlative.

Can jak mean yak?

Yes. A separate Polish noun jak means yak, the long-haired bovine, with forms such as jaka and jaków.

How is jak pronounced?

Jak is pronounced /jak/, with j like English y and a short a.

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