Polish Language Basics
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Poland’s native language is Polish, one of the Slavic group of languages. English, however, is relatively widely spoken by younger people. Of other European languages German is probably the next most common.
Here are few basic words and phrases, with a simplified pronunciation guide. Underlined syllables are emphasized; the letters "zh" imply a pronunciation similar to the "s" in "pleasure". The letter "r" is always pronounced strongly – almost rolled in a way similar to Scots.
| English | Polish | Pronunciation guide |
| Good day/hello | dzien dobry | jen dob-rih |
| Hi/hello | czesc | chesh-tch |
| Goodbye | do widzenia | dovid-zenya |
| Good evening | dobry wieczor | dob-rih vyetch-or |
| Goodnight | dobranoc | do-branots |
| Yes | tak | tak |
| No | nie | nyeah |
| Please | prosze | prosh-eh |
| You’re welcome | prosze bardzo | prosh-eh bard-zoh |
| Thank you | dziekuje | jen koo-yeah |
| How much? | ile | eel-eh |
| I don’t understand | nie rozumiem | nyeah roh-zoom-yem |
| Cheers! | na zdrowie! | naz drov-ya |
| Can I have the bill/check? | rachunek poprosze | ra hoo-nek poh prosh-eh |
| Beer | piwo | peeve-oh |
| Water | woda | vod-ah |
| Vodka | wódka | vood-ka |
| Wine | wino | vee-noh |
| May I…? | mozna? | mozh-nah? |
| Good | dobrze | dob-zhuh |
| Bad | zle | zhleh |
| So-so | tak sobie | tak sob-yeah |
| Excuse me | przepraszam | pshuh-prash-am |
| I don’t speak Polish | nie mowie po polsku | nyeah moov-yeah poh pole-skoo |
By Anna Maciejowska
