Language
What Polish phrases are useful?
Quick answer
Learn "dzien dobry" (hello), "dziekuje" (thank you), "prosze" (please / you're welcome), "przepraszam" (excuse me) and "ile to kosztuje?" (how much is it?). A little effort is always appreciated.
You can travel Poland comfortably in English, but a handful of words open doors and are always appreciated. These are the ones worth learning first.
The short list
| Polish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dzien dobry | Hello / good day |
| Dobry wieczor | Good evening |
| Dziekuje | Thank you |
| Prosze | Please, or you are welcome |
| Przepraszam | Excuse me / sorry |
| Tak / Nie | Yes / No |
| Ile to kosztuje? | How much is it? |
| Poprosze rachunek | The bill, please |
A note on tipping words
When you pay, be careful with "dziekuje". Said as you hand over the money, it is often taken to mean "keep the change", so use it that way only if you intend to tip. See tipping in Poland for how that works.
Sources
- Basic Polish for travellers , Poland.travel (official tourism board)
More on Language
Widely in cities, tourist areas and among younger people, including in hotels, restaurants and museums. It thins out in small towns and with older residents, where a translation app helps.
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