Zwanym

Zwanym is a Polish grammatical form used to indicate that a noun is known by another name or designation. It is the instrumental singular form of the passive participle zwany, which derives from the verb zwać meaning “to call” or “to name.” In Polish, zwanym appears in constructions that attach an appellation to a noun, often in descriptive, encyclopedic, or historical style.

The primary function of zwanym is to introduce an alternative name, synonym, or historical designation for the head noun. A common usage is in toponymy and biographical descriptions, where a place or person is identified by the name they are known by. For example, a sentence might mean “the city Zwanym Krakowem,” effectively rendering “the city called Kraków.” The form agrees with the head noun in gender, number, and case, and there are corresponding feminine and neuter forms used in other contexts.

In practice, zwanym is most frequently encountered in formal or literary Polish rather than everyday speech. It helps create concise appositions and precise historical or descriptive labels without repeating the proper name. Writers may contrast zwanym with other naming constructions to convey different degrees of attribution or attribution with nuance.

See also: Polish grammar, participles, toponymy.