Predykatyw

Predykatyw is a term used in Polish grammar to describe the predicative element of a sentence—the word or phrase that completes the semantic predicate of a copular verb such as być (to be), stać się (to become), or zostać (to become). The predykatyw typically denotes identity, role, status, or a property attributed to the subject.

Predykatyw can be realized in several forms. It may be a noun or pronoun in a case appropriate for predication, for example in sentences like jestem lekarzem (I am a doctor) or został nauczycielem (became a teacher). It can also be an adjective in predicative position, as in on jest dobry or to jest piękne, where the adjective or adjective noun phrase functions as the predicative complement. The predykatyw thus provides information about what the subject is, does, or is like, in relation to the copular verb.

Morphology and agreement play a role in predykatyw usage. When the predykatyw is a noun or pronoun, it inflects according to the grammatical case required by predication (often instrumental in Polish after certain copular verbs). When the predykatyw is an adjective or pronoun used adjectivally, it agrees with the subject in gender and number, mirroring its role in the sentence.

In linguistic descriptions, predykatyw is distinguished from other adjectival uses by its function as a predicative complement rather than a modifying attribute. It is related to the general concept of predicative complements in many languages and is studied in Polish traditional grammar as well as modern linguistic analyses of predication and copular clauses. Examples include sentences with occupation or status terms and those with predicative adjectives expressing quality or state.