Breakdown of Jako dzieciak dużo czytałem.
czytać
to read
dużo
a lot / much
jako
as (in the role of)
dzieciak
kid (colloquial; = dziecko)
Questions & Answers about Jako dzieciak dużo czytałem.
Why is dzieciak in the nominative case? Don't we normally use the instrumental case for roles and life stages?
You use the instrumental case when using the verb być (to be), like in Byłem dzieciakiem (I was a kid). However, the word jako (as) makes the noun match the case of the person it refers to. Since the hidden subject here is "I" (which is in the nominative case), dzieciak stays in the nominative case.
What is the difference between dzieciak and dziecko?
Dziecko is the standard, neutral word for "child" and is a neuter noun. Dzieciak is a more informal, colloquial word, much like "kid" in English, and it is a masculine noun.
If a woman is speaking, does she need to change the word dzieciak to match her gender?
No, the noun dzieciak stays exactly the same regardless of who is speaking. However, a female speaker must change the verb to the feminine past tense form: Jako dzieciak dużo czytałam.
Why use the imperfective verb czytałem instead of the perfective przeczytałem?
Because this sentence describes a habit or a repeated action in the past ("I used to read"). You use the imperfective czytałem for ongoing or habitual past actions. The perfective przeczytałem would mean you completely finished reading a specific item.
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