Identity and role matching (jako)

The Particle jako

To express that someone acts, appears, or is treated "as" a certain role, Polish uses the word jako.

Unlike prepositions that force a specific grammatical case, jako is transparent. The noun following jako simply copies the grammatical case of the noun or pronoun it refers back to.

If the person acting in a role is the subject of the sentence (in the Nominative case), the role following jako will also be in the Nominative case.

Matching Object Cases

If the person being described is the object of the sentence, the role after jako mirrors that object's case.

For example, the verb ufać (to trust) requires the Dative case. If the boss trusts the CEO (prezesowi), and trusts him "as an authority", then the word for authority must also take the Dative case (autorytetowi).

Similarly, the verb traktować (to treat) takes the Accusative case. Both the person being treated and their perceived role will be in the Accusative.

If you are talking "with him" (Instrumental: z nim), then "as the chairman" will also copy the Instrumental case (przewodniczącym).

Formal Appointments

In corporate and formal settings, you will often encounter verbs like powołać (to appoint) and mianować (to nominate).

Note that when someone is officially nominated or appointed to a position, Polish often skips jako and simply uses the Instrumental case for the new title.