Polish Language Basics
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 |