Learn Polish: 23 Useful Polish Phrases for Everyone

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Today, you will learn the most useful Polish phrases in the Polish language. If you know them, you will be able to start talking with Polish native speakers, learn more Polish and even get your language corrected. These are useful phrases for Beginners. Take this lesson…

• Read and review
• Print it out as physical review material (I like printing stuff)
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• Listen to the free audio lesson

While you read this, listen to this sample audio lesson to hear how Polish sounds. Provided by PolishPod101 (a Polish Learning Program – click here to check out more lessons) . This is just so you get exposed to the language and have more lessons to learn with.

• “Absolute Beginner #1 – Saying Hello No Matter the Time of Day in Polish

1. Hello! How are you? Welcome!

• Cześć! Jak się masz? Witamy!
• Pronunciation: Cheshch! Jak shie mash? Vitamy!

These are the first words that you should definitely learn, even if you have never heard the Polish language. These are the most important greetings, and obviously, the frequently used words in Poland, which you will hear many times.

2. How do you say…?

• Jak się mówi…?
• Pronunciation: Jak shie muvi?

3. What does… mean?

• Co to znaczy…?
• Pronunciation: Co to znachy…?

When you learn and start speaking Polish, you will certainly have a huge number of different questions. Our mission now is to learn how to ask these questions. Research shows that the most common questions which learners ask are: “How do you say…?” and “What does… mean?” And that’s GOOD. These questions get you answers and turn you into a BETTER Polish speaker.

4. “Do you speak English?” 

• Mówisz po angielsku?
• Pronunciation: Muwisz po angyelsku?

5. “My Polish is bad”

• Mój polski jest zły
• Pronunciation: Mui polski jest zly

6. “Sorry, I speak Polish really bad”

• Przepraszam, mówię po polsku bardzo źle
• Pronunciation: Przeprasham, muvye po polsku bardzo zle”

These phrases, 4 to 6, will save you from embarrassing situations. If you do not understand something, just explain to the person that you do not speak Polish well and you will be understood. Don’t worry about admitting weakness. People will be impressed by your ability to admit that. Besides, every learner goes through ups and downs. Even the biggest experts run into new words all the time.

7. Could you, please, speak slowly.

• Czy mógłbyś, proszę, mówić powoli?
• Pronunciation: Chy mugbysh, proshe, muvish powoli.”

8. Could you repeat, please?

• Czy mógłbyś powtórzyć?
• Pronunciation: Chy mugbysh powturzych]

These are also some great, useful Polish phrases. Er, questions. Why? They will help your listener understand that you do not understand what he is trying to tell you. Or, maybe they need to slow down. Again, nothing wrong in asking for assistance.

9. I’m so pleased to meet you!

• Miło mi cię poznać!
• Pronunciation: Mlo mi chie poznach!

10. What’s your name?

• Jak masz na imię?
• Pronunciation: Jak mash na imye

11. My name is…

• Nazywam się…!
• Pronunciation: Nazywam shie…!

Knowing how to introduce yourself in Polish is a must. That’s why you need to learn these useful Polish phrases. Introduce yourself by saying: “Nazywam się…!” If you want to tell him how you like this meeting, just use: “Miło mi cię poznać.“ Such a phrase will be perfect! Next ask what is his or her name: “Jak masz na imię?”

Congratulations you’ve already started the conversation with a Polish native speaker.

12. Do you mind me asking…?

• Czy mogę zapytać…?
• Pronunciation: Chy moge zapytach…?

13. Could you help me please?

• Proszę, mógłbyś mi pomóc?
• Pronunciation: Proshe, mugbysh mi pomuc?

These two questions above are great ways to start a conversation.

14. Frankly speaking…/ Well, to be honest with you…

• Szczerze mówiąc
• Pronunciation: Szczerze muwyoc

Using these phrases is a great way to establish a trusting relationship or conversation. But, don’t overuse them.

15. No problem

• Nie ma problemu
• Pronunciation: Nie ma problemu

This is often used as a response to the request of the colleagues. It’s more enthusiastic than a simple “Sure” or “OK”.

16. Excuse me, where’s the toilet?

• Przepraszam, gdzie jest toaleta?
• Pronunciation: Przeprasham, gdzhie jest toaleta?

This, without a doubt, is one of the most USEFUL Polish phrases. You know it and I know it.

17. Kind time of day/ Good day

• Dzień dobry
• Pronunciation: Dzien dobry

You can use this as a greeting and to say Hi to any person this way. It’s kind of a formal phrase.

18. Anything new going on?

• Co nowego?
• Pronunciation: Co novego?

19. Greetings! Glad to see you!

• Pozdrowienia! Miło cię widzieć!
• Pronunciation: Pozdrovyenya, Milo che vidziech!

20. It’s so boring!

• To jest takie nudne!
• Pronunciation: To jest takye nudne!

The phrase speaks for itself: you are bored. Say “To jest takie nudne” and the emotional response will not take long. Just a casual phrase that I’m sure you’d want to know and use to complain.

21. I really gotta go

• Naprawdę muszę iść
• Pronunciation: Naprawde mushe ishch

The best way to end the conversation between two friends!

22. See you later!

• Do zobaczenia później!
• Pronunciation: Do zobachenia puzhnyei

23. See you around!

• Na razie!
• Pronunciation: Na razhie

Say these phrases, 22 and 23, when you know that you will see a person in a short time. “Na razie” is an informal way to say Bye. “Do zobaczenia później” is a formal one.

Now, here’s a quick list of all of these phrases for your use.

Congratulations! Now, you know 23+ useful Polish phrases that will help you make small conversations, introduce yourself and even improve your Polish language skills.

– PDF Jeff