Do you have an interest in Polish culture? Or possibly you are keen to impress a local? Or would you like to travel, move to or work in Poland?
Learn basic Polish with our guide!
We have put together a list of the most useful Polish phrases which are perfect for gaining an introduction to the language. These are perfect for when you meet people and start a conversation, some important basic words which you will use a lot.
If you plan on going to Poland we have included some important phrases to know for travel and tourism including phrases for getting around, sightseeing, eating out, shopping, emergencies and more.
How Hard is Polish to Learn for English Speakers
Polish is a Slavic language and it is one of the most difficult languages for native English speakers to pick up. This is due to the sounds you need to know, understand and the grammar. Most people would say Polish is even harder than studying German, but don’t be put off, Polish is still a lot easier than some worldwide languages like learning Japanese.
The basic words and phrases in Polish are quite easy to grasp and memorise, you can even print this off as a pdf and take it with you. If you really want to become fluent in the language you will need to study a lot, book a classroom course or learn via an app or online course. It can take around 44 weeks or 1100 hours of study to completely master the Polish language.
Do People in Poland Speak English?
More and more young people are learning English in Poland and in tourist hotspots like Krakow and Warsaw local people you encounter are more than likely to know at least basic English. But not everyone does, especially in the smaller towns and cities. It is also polite and fun to impress locals with your new found language skills.
Greetings
Hi – Cześć
Good morning / Good afternoon – Dzien dobr
Good evening – Dobry wieczór
Good night – Dobranoc
Goodbye – Dowidzenia
Bye – Cześć
See you – do widzenia
Most Commonly Used Words & Phrases
Please – Prosze
Thank you – Dziekuje
I’m sorry/Excuse me – Przepraszam
Please – Proszę
You’re welcome – Proszę bardzo
Yes – Tak
No – Nie
No, thanks – Nie, dziękuję
Conversational
How are you? – Jak się masz?
Great! – Super!
Good – Dobrze
Very good – Bardzo dobrze
So-so – Tak sobie
Bad – źle
Do you speak English? – Czy pan/pani mowi po angielsku?
I don’t speak Polish – Nie mowię po polsku
I don’t understand – Nie rozumiem
Shopping
Shop – Sklep
Shopping center (mall) – Centrum handlowe
How much? – Ile?
Restaurants
Restaurant – Restauracja
The menu please – Proszę menu
Cheers – Na zdrowie
One beer please – Jedno piwo proszę
Wine list – Karta win
Enjoy your meal – Smacznego
The check please – Proszę rachunek
Tip – Napiwek
Where is the restroom? – Gdzie jest łazienka?
Food
Bread – Chleb
Soup – Zupa
Sausage – Kiełbasa
Meat – Mięso
Polish dumplings – Pierogi
Beetroot soup – Barszcz
Vegetarian dish – Danie wegetarianskie
Potatoes – Ziemniaki
Fries – Frytki
Dessert – Deser
Ice cream – Lody
Pancakes – Naleśniki
Cheese – Ser
Cabbage – Kapusta
Drinks
Water – Woda
Mineral water – Woda mineralna
Tea – Herbata
Coffee – Kawa
Juice – Sok
Beer – Piwo
Wine – Wino
Vodka – Wodka
Transport & Getting Around
Airport – Lotnisko
Train – Pociag
Train station – Dworzec kolejowy
Bus – Autobus
Bus station – Dworzec autobusowy
Ticket office – Kasa biletowa
One ticket to… – bilet do…
Booking – rezerwacja
First/second class – pierwsza/druga klasa
Timetable – rozklad jazdy
Taxi – taksowka
Tram stop – przystanek tramwajowy
Sightseeing & Directions
Town – Miasto
Old Town – Stare miasto
Street – Ulica
Square – Plac
Church – Kościół
Town Hall – Ratusz
Hotel – Hotel
Where is… – Gdzie jest…
How can I get to… – Jak moge dojsc do…
Right / left – Prawo/lewo
Straight – Prosto
I am lost – Zgubiłem się
Accommodation
Hotel room – Pokój w hotelu
I have a reservation – Mam rezerwację
I do not have a reservation – Nie mam rezerwacji
Do you have a room available? – Czy dysponują Państwo wolnym pokojem?
How much does it cost per night? – Jaka jest cena noclegu?
Emergencies
It is an emergency – To nagły wypadek
Get out of here – Wynoś się stąd
Help – Pomocy
Help me – Pomóż mi
Police – Policja
I need the police – Potrzebuje pomocy policji
Stop – Stój
Fire – Pożar
I am worried – Martwię się
Numbers
1 – Jeden
2 – Dwa
3 – Trzy
4 – Cztery
5 – Pięć
6 – Sześć
7 – Siedem
8 – Osiem
9 – Dziewięć
10 – Dziesięć
100 – Sto
Days of the Week
Monday – Poniedziałek
Tuesday – Wtorek
Wednesday – Środa
Thursday – Czwartek
Friday – Piątek
Saturday – Sobota
Sunday – Niedziela
Week – Tydzień
Poland is a great country to visit with lots of tourist attractions and friendly local people. Whether you want to learn Polish and pick up the basics of the language, or visit Poland, hopefully our guide to the important basics phrases to know has been helpful.
