Directing action with "w" + accusative
In Polish, the preposition w usually translates to "in" or "into". While you use it with the locative case to describe a static position, combining it with the accusative case implies motion or directing an action into a target. Several important verbs govern this pattern, especially those dealing with involvement, transformation, and belief.
Getting involved and investing
When you dedicate time, energy, or resources to a project or cause, you direct those resources into it. Use w + accusative with reflexive verbs like angażować się / zaangażować się (to get involved) and active verbs like inwestować (to invest).
Common targets for this kind of involvement include akcja (a campaign or initiative), projekt (project), and wolontariat (volunteering).
Belief in Polish is also directed into its object. You use wierzyć w + accusative to say you believe in a campaign, a person, or an idea.
Similarly, when something changes from one state to another, use przekształcać się w (to transform into) + accusative to mark the final result. A useful word in this context is przedsięwzięcie (an undertaking or enterprise).
Equipping
Notice how English and Polish prepositions can differ. While in English you equip a space with objects, in Polish you use the verb wyposażyć (to equip) followed by w + accusative. Think of it as bringing equipment into the space.
Delving, interfering, and getting into trouble
Finally, a set of verbs uses w + accusative to describe delving deeper into a topic, or getting entangled in a situation.
- wnikać w – to delve into (e.g., details or problems)
- ingerować w – to interfere in (e.g., someone's work or business)
- wdawać się w – to get into (e.g., a discussion, an argument, or trouble)