Polish «zak»

[Łukasz]

One of my grandmothers, I've noticed, uses the word «zak», as in the following sentence:
“Musimy dojść do domu, zak zajdzie słońce.”
I use the word «zanim» instead. I don't think I've ever used «zak», although I clearly understand it and it doesn't sound too strange to me. Any comments?

[arti]

I have never heard of "zak". Nobody from my family uses that word although my grandma has some funny words in her language

[polishboy]

better use jak.

[Łukasz]

better use jak.

No, the meaning (apparently) of «zak zajdzie słońce» is “before the sun sets”, not “after the sun sets”.

I just wanted to figure out whether this little word «zak» is a dialectal word, a borrowing, or simply a new form that my grandma created.

[BezierCurve]

Never heard of it, but my guess would be that it's just a contraction of two words - "zanim jak". That's quite convenient in fact - a single syllable word. I think I'll give it a try and add it to my idiolect

[Łukasz]

I think I'll give it a try and add it to my idiolect

Nagyon jó!

[wsz]

Never heard this word either.

[...] my guess would be that it's just a contraction of two words - "zanim jak".

Actually I doubt you'd actually say or hear any Pole saying that combination either

[BezierCurve]

Well, people do that from time to time, even translators. Not that I claim its correctness or anything.

[aurinko.]

Doesn't it come from some eastern dialects?
I've definately heard it before and would connect it with border parts of Poland.