tak ... jak

Equal Comparisons

Level 2

The pattern tak + [adjective/adverb] + jak is the standard way to express equality in Polish. It works for qualities (tall, fast) and manners (well, quickly).

How It Works

The structure tak... jak functions as a correlative pair. The first part, tak, acts as an intensifier ('so' or 'as'), and the second part, jak, introduces the standard of comparison ('as').

1. With Adjectives and Adverbs
When comparing qualities, place the adjective or adverb between the two words: tak wysoki jak (as tall as). While the adjective follows adjective agreement, tak remains invariable.

2. Case Matching Rule
A critical rule is that the noun or pronoun following jak must match the case of the element it is compared to. For example, in Lubię go tak jak ją, both 'go' and 'ją' are in the Accusative case because they are both objects of the verb.

3. Tak vs. Taki
Use tak for degree (with adjectives/adverbs). Use taki (which declines like an adjective) when comparing nouns or qualities of things: Mam taki sam rower jak ty (I have the same kind of bike as you).

4. With Verbs (Manner)
You can use tak jak to describe doing something in the same way as someone else: Rób tak, jak ja (Do as I do).

5. Negation
When you use negation (nie tak... jak), it means 'not as... as'.

6. Punctuation Rule
In Polish, do not put a comma before jak in simple comparisons (e.g., tak duży jak dom). You must use a comma if jak introduces a full clause with its own verb (e.g., Zrób to tak, jak ci pokazałem).

Examples (5)

  1. Jan jest tak wysoki jak Piotr.

    Jan is as tall as Piotr.

    Word by Word: Jan is so tall as Piotr.

    A simple comparison of equality using an adjective.

  2. Ona śpiewa tak ładnie jak jej matka.

    She sings as beautifully as her mother.

    Word by Word: She sings so beautifully as her mother.

    Here, the pattern is used with an adverb (ładnie) to compare the manner of singing.

  3. Mój brat nie jest tak cierpliwy jak ja.

    My brother is not as patient as I am.

    Word by Word: My brother not is so patient as I.

    Using negation to show that the brother has a lower degree of patience.

  4. Wszystko poszło tak, jak zaplanowaliśmy.

    Everything went just as we planned.

    Word by Word: Everything went so, as we planned.

    A comma is used here because 'jak' introduces a new clause with the verb 'zaplanowaliśmy'.

  5. Czy ten telefon jest tak dobry, jak mówią?

    Is this phone as good as they say?

    Word by Word: Is this phone so good, as they say?

    A question comparing the phone's quality to the claims made about it.

Common Mistakes

  • Choosing the wrong case after 'jak' for the meaning you want.

    Different MeaningWidzę go tak dobrze jak ty.
    Widzę go tak dobrze jak ciebie.

    After 'jak' the pronoun takes the case of the thing it is compared with. Widzę go tak dobrze jak ty is correct, but it means 'I see him as well as you see him' (ty is the subject of an unspoken verb). To say 'I see him as well as I see you', compare the objects in the accusative: jak ciebie.

  • Using 'tak' instead of 'taki' when comparing nouns directly.

    Chcę tak samochód jak twój.
    Chcę taki samochód jak twój.

    Use 'tak' for adjectives and adverbs (degree). Use 'taki/taka/takie' (which follows adjective agreement) when comparing nouns to say 'such a' or 'a ... like'.

  • Incorrect comma placement in simple comparisons.

    On jest tak stary, jak ja.
    On jest tak stary jak ja.

    Do not use a comma before 'jak' if it is followed only by a noun or pronoun. Only use a comma if a new verb follows.

How It Connects

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tak ... jakLevel 2Equal Comparisons

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Words in This Pattern