Language
There's no getting away from it - Polish is a tough language, any early attempts at which will have you sounding like you're whispering, gargling and choking simultaneously. Many Poles, particularly the younger ones, speak a little English, but that's no excuse not to learn at least a few of those tortuous tongue-twisters, so we've included. at the bottom of this page, a brief guide to get you started. For those who wish to get more involved, there are a host of excellent language schools, many of them providing translation services, which may be necessary if you plan to stay any length of time in the city.
There are a whole range of Polish words which look pretty similar to their English equivalents, so signs such as POLICJA, RESTAURACJA, HOTEL and TAXI are hardly going to tax most travellers, but here are a handful of others that may be useful:
Kawiarnia - Cafe
Herbaciarnia - Tea House
Ksiegarnia - Book Shop
Mieso - Butchery
Nabial - Dairy products
Sklep - Shop
Prasa - Newsagent
Dworzec - Station
Lotnisko - Airport
The Polish language uses the Latin alphabet as in English, however you will find a few extra letters, (formed from Latin letters but with an additional slash or hook), bringing the total to 32. A few letters you won't find are: q, v, and x. The only exception to this rule are direct translations from other languages (e.g. "fax') and, of course, slang and marketing-language.
We've recently added our new audio pronunciation guide (right) to help with those tricky Polish pronunciations! If you've got some good ideas on how to make our language section better, let us know!
Comments
I need to know my English to polish
ReplyI need to know my English to polish
ReplyWhat is "I am from Canada" in polish? Thanks!
ReplyHow is "family is strength" translated to polish?
ReplyRodzina to siła
ReplyI need the spelling for love hope faith and strength in polish pretty please
ReplyHere U go: hope: nadzieja faith: wiara strength: siła Hope this helps!:)
ReplyWill you go out with me in polish: Pójdziesz ze mną?
ReplyBardzo pszydatne
ReplyHow can you say send me your pictures in polish?
ReplyPlease can someone help me? What's home sweet home in Polish? Thanks x
ReplyI would like to know what Witamy w Polskim Klubie mean.
Reply"Welcome to Polish club":)
ReplyHow do you say "witamy w rodzinie?"
Replywelcome to the family
ReplyHey, I could help you to learn Polish if you want. You could help me to learn your language, especially Spanish, French or Russian. petrus.klimiuk@gmail.com
ReplyI love poles
ReplyI am curious as to what masz piekna dupeczke means. If its an offensive term, I would rather not use it. I am highly interested in a Polish man and am trying to learn the language.
ReplyWork hard, practice-practice and practice some more. Always remember that "Perfekcja" is the result of hard graft. By the way if any polish person wants to share my love of language and learning, please feel free to get in touch with. I promise not to "bite your head off". Thats just a bit of english colloquialism. Keep the faith, regards Bernard
Replyawesome site! needing help learning Polish. Troche rozumiem po polsku, but I plan to visit with my son soon. Any one with pointers, tips, or just willing to help please email me : Saralizzybeth@gmail.com Dziekuje!
ReplyThe questions are fine, but then you memorize them and cant understand the answer... but thank God my wife is Polish... had a great time there, cant wait to go back
ReplyI work @ Penn Medicine, The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, Neurology. I also enjoy the "arts & sciences," which encompasses many different facets of Gay Life in NJ, USA (New Brunswick, New Jersey/NJ) & NYC/New York City). I am do for a visit to Poland again & explore the Gay Polish Culture. I would like to do advanced degree work in Nursing @ the University of Warsaw. My E-mail address is: Grafvonrosenberg@aol.com & USA Cell Phone # is: (732)485 - 5468.
ReplyI am currently a nurse @ The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, PA, in Neurology. I am planning to return to Warsaw in 2011, & hope to visit the city once more & experience the Gay Community. My family is orginally from the Polesie region - Brzesc Litewski nad Bugiem. I plan on studying @ the University of Warsaw, Nursing. I love Poland, & all that it has to offer. I want to get involved in the Gay Community.
ReplyI am a postgraduate student of Polish Studies and Classics at the University of Warsaw. Also, I used to study both of these programmes at UCL during the Erasmus exchange in London. I have experience working as a Polish tutor for more than 3 years. I provide all materials for: - basic, intermediate and advanced general Polish classes for children and adults - business Polish for professionals - legal Polish for solicitors/paralegals - CV, cover letters If interested, please send an e-mail to tuition.mb@hotmail.com
ReplyI forgot to mention I need that person to be a private tutor not from a tutor from a company. Thank you.
ReplyDoes anyone know a Polish Teacher (who's native tongue is Polish) in Warsaw?? I know it can't be that hard to find but I'm finding it quite difficult.
ReplyImani/US Well done Imani you come across as a perfectionist.I have been trying to come to terms with the complexities of Polish grammer. Have a terrific time in
ReplyI'm black and polish, which people find quite an unusual mix. However, i speak both english and polish fluently which seems to amaze everyone. My mother and I are planning a trip to Katowice, Polska for next summer. And i'm very excited. I'm just doing some last minute research to make sure that my polish grammar is as good as can be!
ReplyI speak fluent and affluent Polish with an Irish accent, ale czazem nie rozumiem wszstko. Wole movic po polsku i czytam gazety Polski,teraz (Adam Mickiewicz)"Pan Tadeuz". Pomoc! Dziekuje bardzo. Bernard
Replyberry cantika. In Polish, "I miss you" are "Bardzo za tob± têskniê." The "i love too" are "Te¿ ciê kocham." I hope I helped.
Replyhi i want to improve my language that,s why i,m looking for native speaker. I,m studying English in Warsow, I can teach you Polish. please help
ReplyHow do you write a thank you for card for someone who threw you a baby shower? in Polish.Please help :)
Replyhow do you say will you go out with me in polish i really wanna ask my soon to be girl in polish pleaze help (:
ReplyThis was really, well it was helpful, i learned how to say some things in polish. Even though im only 15 i wanna talk to my girlfriend in polish and i learned how to say good-bye, hello, how are you, i love you, you know...simple things.
ReplyGreat site. Does anyone know the word "Yatchekuchem"? My grandmother used to say it all the time and I don't know the translation. Thanks, Jon
ReplyMy boyfriend is from poland. I learned alot so far but since im english its extreamly hard for me to pronounce polish words..Practice does make perfect. Ive been learning for about 5 months and ive learned so much. Polish is a beautiful language.
ReplyHi there Donald - 'welcome to the family' would be 'witamy w rodzinie' (said like: vee-TAH-mih vroh-GEE-njeh)
ReplyI need help!!How do you say"Welcome to do family" in polish? My future sun in law is from poland and i would like to tell him that when i will meet him first time!!!
Replylots of people whant to no polish yak sea mush means how are you doing dozze a te means are you good and jendroby means helo
Replyi love you = kocham cie :) also... i didnt mean to put my below comment lol... i thought it was the sign up bit :S.. :)
ReplyMy first visit Poland is ticking now.I tried learning Polish by listening to a CD in my car. Polish seems to be friendly. Thanks for your advice.
ReplyI went to Lublin City for a couple of days, beautiful, unexplored City, but they don't have a motorway between WARSAW and LUBLIN yet, so trip took about 1.5 hour. They have got cheap regional lager called "Perla", alcohol, food, weed... are much cheaper than in Warsaw. I recommend this site: http://kultura.lublin.eu/0.html?locale=en_GB it's available in English, Polish, Ukrainian and Spanish:) ps. ppl in Lublin, in general speak British-English:):):):)
ReplyPolish is a very difficult language! But it's also very beautiful. It's worth the effort to learn the basics even.
ReplyI think polish is really good language.I'll be in warsaw in a few months and I really wonder there.I wonder people,language,culture...almost everything
ReplyI will visit warsaw and krakow this fall for my first time with my old friend. Please let me know the words which I need at least.
ReplyThe more languages u know - the more u a Human. Our languages are very similar, so, think, in 2-3 months, I'll manage with Polish. One thing is if u DO wish to know or only seem to be. Best regards from Ukraine and welcome to Chernivtsi !
ReplyIt's encouraging to know that even you have difficulty pronouncing some Polish words. As for me, I tried my best when I went to Poland, and I can say proudly that I managed to pronounce correctly (that's what I think at least) such complicated street names as Plac Trzech Krzy¿y (Three Crosses Square).I have been learning Polish for about 8 months and I do my best to understand it and speak Polish fluently. I think we will have a great time learning Polish here :)
ReplyTout d'abord, la langue polonaise n'a jamais de difficulté à la compréhension mutuelle, et des locuteurs non-natifs ne peuvent généralement pas distinguer facilement les variations régionales./First, the Polish language has never difficulty in mutual understanding, and non-native speakers often can not easily distinguish regional variations.
Replyreply to Jim Goldman That's why most of the nations think that Americans are total ignorant. Poland was wiped out from map of Europe for nearly 300 years and Poles did not loose their language and culture because of that. Remember mister USA - our culture is much older than yours. And no one can be called Native American other than Indians (so called by Christopher Columbus fatal mistake). Read some books mr Jim before You write idiocy like that.
ReplyI'd say 60 million people (of those only 40 million actually in Poland) is not a limited number of people, especially since 20 million are spread all over the globe. I'd be more worried about smaller countries' languages dying out, like Latvia's or Lithuania's, as Polish will be around for some time - until we're all speaking Chinese anyway.
ReplyPolish is not here for ever - This language is not user friendly and is spoen by a limited number of people in a defined geographical area. The spoken language in Poland will soon be Russian / German / English . Jim
Replyhonestly give me a good phrase to use to pick up a girl in bar - not too tacky but not too serious. something relatively easy (ie sans stamps collections...)
ReplyPolish is super hard to learn. I've been living in Poland for almost 4 months, and the only english I hear is at english schools.Yes the women do look like natural super models.
ReplyIf U want to learn polish just write to me :))) My e-mail : wege4animals@op.pl Msn: fufek_lj@hotmail.com
ReplyHey you! Yes… you!!! On Tuesday and Wednesday, 16th and 17th of December AEGEE-Warszawa is once again organizing a European Day of Languages. This time we also remembered about all those who still have some Polish-language problems or … just visit Warsaw and have some free time:) We invite you for both: Polish your Polish workshop and Language Café. (more information about the program and directions: http://www.edl.aegee.waw.pl) POLISH YOUR POLISH!!! Wednesday, 17th of December, 10 a.m. – Riviera Dormitory building You have a great opportunity to take part in a unique workshop on Polish language!!! It will be a short course for both: those who have already started a journey with the language and also for those who still cannot overcome their fears and have not been brave enough before. Workshop led by two young professionals - girls from the Warsaw University, will be composed mostly on interactive elements. It will take about 90 min. You will find out how easy the Polish language is, sometimes funny and so useful in this country:) It will also be a good possibility to meet other people from different countries! Places are limited – sign in now! http://edl.aegee.waw.pl LANGUAGE CAFÉ!!! Tuesday, 16th of December, 8 p.m. – Equilibrium Pub Language Café means just free conversations for everybody!!! You will meet people from other countries and get to know about languages you are interested in! You can also speak in your language and share the experience of the Polish language. There will be also people interested in your language and country willing to find out some interesting things about it. Come and enjoy the cold beer/hot coffee meeting:) Don’t miss the chance! http://edl.aegee.waw.pl
Replyhi Judy - " you're welcome " is " prosze bardzo " or pronounced something like 'pro-sheh bar-tso'
Replyeasiest way is to invite her to a specific place - ie, 'czy pojdziesz ze mna na kawe?' (chy puj-dzesh zeh mnow na ka-ve) which literaly translates to 'will you go for a cup of coffe with me?' sorry but not an expert on phonetic spelling... -- or see above "click & listen" options and use last one :)
ReplyCould someone please help me and tell me how to say "In family there is strength and love" ? i'm getting it as a tattoo and want the translation to be correct! many thanks!
ReplyPolish is a very beautiful language to learn.. Is kind of hard for latin speakers but.. who really wants.. I`m sure that they can do it. Kocham Cię is so nice to hear..
ReplyHow do you say pretty girl in polish. The correct spelling and translation, how to say it Thank you!
ReplySorry.. out of topic.. just wanna ask, in Poland, which university offers medical study? Thanks in advance..
ReplyPolish Government is sick=Polski rz±d jest chory/walniêty [say: polski rzond jest hory /walnienty]
Reply