How to Say Hello in Polish

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Have a Polish friend or know an exchange student from Poland, Lithuania , Belarus, or the Ukraine? [1] Planning a trip to Eastern Europe? Though many Poles (especially younger ones) know enough English to understand “Hi” or “Hello,” greeting people you meet in their native language is a great way to start a conversation and make new friends. Just like in English, there are many different ways to greet people in Polish—knowing these different phrases (and the customs that Poles use to greet each other) can be a major asset if you anticipate meeting someone to use them with.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Using Common Greetings

PDF download Download Article
  1. This very common, albeit somewhat informal greeting, is pronounced roughly like "cheh-sh-ch." Non-Poles may find it difficult to pronounce this word correctly. Following a "sh" sound with a "ch" sound is something that is almost never done in English. [2]
    • "Cześć" is a little informal to use in serious social situations. While it's fine for friends and family members, some etiquette-conscious Poles may be offended if you use it the very first time you meet them.
    • "Cześć" may also be used to say "bye."
  2. This greeting, which literally translates to "good day," is pronounced as "jayn DOH-bry." The first syllable in this phrase sounds almost like "Jane." The final "y" sounds like the "i" in "fin," "dinner," and "sick." [3]
    • This is a more formal way to say "hello," and is suitable for situations where you're dealing with people that you don't know, or that you know in a professional context (e.g., customers, bosses, teachers, etc.)
    • "Dzień dobry" can also mean "good morning."
    Advertisement
  3. This is pronounced as "DOH-bry VYEH-choorh." "Dobry" is pronounced the same way as in "dzień dobry." The W at the beginning of "wieczór" is pronounced like a V, not an English W. [4]
    • As in English, this greeting is used when meeting people after the sun has begun to go down but before it has gotten completely dark. "Dobry wieczór" has the same level of formality as "dzień dobry."
  4. This is pronounced exactly like the English "hey." It is a very familiar and informal greeting. You won't want to use it for formal situations or people that you're interested in maintaining a professional relationship with. It is best used among close friends.
    • "Hey" in Polish works the same as saying "hey" in English.
  5. This word is pronounced as “vee-tahm.” The W in the first syllable is pronounced like the English V. The second syllable has a soft "ah" sound, as in "apartment." [5]
    • "Witam" is not always an appropriate greeting, especially to strangers. It can subtly imply that you occupy a higher social station than the person you're talking to. It is best reserved for when you are greeting guests to your home.
    6. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Using Proper Customs for Greetings

PDF download Download Article
  1. Unlike what is common in many English-speaking countries today, for Polish people, it's not typical to greet someone you've never met before as if you are already friends. Greetings are more reserved and formal than what many English-speakers are a little used to. Thus, it's often best to use the more formal greetings at your disposal, such as "dzień dobry," rather than risking an informal "hej" or "cześć." [6]
    • Of course, once you've gotten to know someone, you can usually progress to the informal greetings for casual conversations. However, unless you're a confident Polish speaker, you may want to play things safe and follow the lead of the person you're talking to.
  2. Respect is an important concept when it comes to greetings in Polish society—especially those occurring in a business/formal setting. Because of this, you will want to address the people you meet by their proper titles until you are invited to address them on a first-name basis. If you don't know the honorific for the person you are talking to, use "Pan" for men and "Pani" for women. [7]
    • "Pan" has a soft "ah" sound to it, as in "apartment."
    • "Pani" starts out just like "Pan," but has a long "e" sound at the end, as in "bee" or "see."
    • Polish last names ending in "ski" change depending on gender. Polanski would be used for a man, while Polanska would be used for a female.
    • Don't be offended if you don't get invited to address someone by his or her first name. Getting invited into this "inner circle" is a big social step to Poles. Many business and professional relationships go on for years before "making the jump."
  3. When attending a social event, such as a party or a business meeting, it's important etiquette to greet everyone that you encounter in the room. Passing someone over, or not acknowledging him or her, can be seen as rude and disrespectful. Traditionally, women are greeted first in Polish society. Usually, your host will handle the introductions, so you probably won't have to worry about this.
  4. You will also want to shake hands (again, with eye contact) upon leaving as well. [8] If you are male, and the woman you are greeting extends her hand to you (palm down), you may take it, bow down, and give it a delicate kiss; never lift the woman's hand to your lips. This is a little old-fashioned, but still considered good etiquette.
  5. While adult males and teenagers who aren't well acquainted typically greet with a handshake, people who know each other well will often greet one another with a friendly kiss on the cheek. This isn't a sign of romantic affection at all. It can be done innocently by almost any combination of two people as long as they're close (e.g., people of different sexes, people of the same sex, siblings, parents and their children, and so on.)
    • In Poland , it is customary to use two to three kisses: first on the right cheek, then on the left, then on the right again.
    • Hugs are almost common among Polish people. Don't be alarmed if an overly friendly host gives you one as though you were an old friend.
  6. When visiting someone's home, it is not uncommon for the guest to bring a small gift, such as cut flowers, sweets, or alcohol. Flowers are the most common and expected, however. If you are bringing flowers, try to pick out an odd number instead of an even one.
    • Do not bring chrysanthemums, which are often used for funerals.
    • Skip on the very expensive gifts, as this might embarrass the host.
    • Do not be offended if you are a host and do not receive a gift. On the other hand, if you do receive a gift, be sure to thank your guest, and to open the gift.
  7. In Polish, a rude person who ignores social etiquette is called "prymitywny" (literally, "primitive.") Luckily, avoiding this label is simple: just give an honest effort to greet the people you meet with respect and treat them with the courtesy and kindness you'd want for yourself. Unless you're an excellent Polish speaker, you'll probably make a few minor breaches of etiquette in during your time in a Polish-speaking community. As long as you do your best to be polite and acknowledge your mistakes, you'll be fine. Anyone who gives you grief for minor slip-ups in a language you're not familiar with is prymitywny.
    8. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Learning Other Useful Phrases

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is pronounced as "doh-BRAH-nohts." The "oh" sounds are soft, as in "ocean." The a is a soft "ah" sound, as in "apartment." [9]
    • This word is used similarly to the way you'd use "good night" in English—you can say it to someone as you depart at night, right before you go to bed, and so on.
  2. say "jak się masz?" In many languages, it's customary to ask how someone is after saying "hello." Polish is no different. This phrase is pronounced as “yahk sheh mash.” Both of the "a" sounds are soft "ahs," as in "apartment. [10]
    • This is also informal, and is best used after "cześć" or "hej." It's not suitable after more formal greetings, such as "Dzień dobry" or "dobry wieczór."
  3. When it's time to leave, use this phrase, which is pronounced "doh veed-ZEN-yah." The only item of note here is that the W here receives the customary V pronunciation. The rest of the word is fairly easy to sound out. It's pronounced almost how it would be if it were an English. [11]
  4. If you want to really impress your Polish hosts, offer this up when someone asks you how you are doing after the initial greetings. The implication here is that, by asking about you, someone has shown an interest in your affairs. By saying "thank you," you are graciously acknowledging their interest and paying them a social courtesy in return. [12]
    • "Dziękuję" is pronounced like "jen-KOO-yeh."
    • "Proszę" (prosh-eh) means "please." It can also mean "you're welcome" if it follows "dziękuję."
    • "Dobrze" (doh-b-jeh) means "good."
    • "Bardzo dobrze" (bard-zoh doh-b-jeh) means "very good."
    5. Advertisement

Video

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I say "hi" in Polish?
    Community Answer
    There are a lot of possibilities : "Cześć" , "Hej". Also you can use "Siema" (but it is a slang).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 20
  • Question
    How do I say "my friend"?
    Community Answer
    In nominative case (e.g. "this is my friend," or "my friend is") - "mój przyjaciel" (or "moja przyjaciółka" for a female). However, there are also 6 other forms of the word for both options. It depends on what exactly you want to say.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 11
  • Question
    How do I say "I love you"?
    Community Answer
    If you want to say "I love you" in Polish, you can say "kocham Cię."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Don't worry about making mistakes, especially if Polish is not your native language. Many Poles understand that Polish is a difficult language to learn and speak, and they will appreciate your efforts.
        Thanks
        Helpful 14 Not Helpful 3
      • When speaking with people you do not know very well or people who hold high degrees, it might be best to use "Dzien dobry" as a greeting. Use the more informal "Czesc" when speaking with people you are already familiar with, or children.
        Thanks
        Helpful 11 Not Helpful 4
      • Practice the pronunciation of the Polish words, since some of them may seem difficult to pronounce at first. There are many sites online where you can listen to the correct pronunciation of some of the words in this article.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Greet in Arabic
      How to
      Say Hello in Japanese
      How to
      Say Hello in Arabic
      How to
      Introduce Yourself in French
      How to
      Say Hello in Chinese
      How to
      Say “Good Morning” in Japanese
      How to
      Say How Are You in French
      How to
      Say Hello in Vietnamese
      How to
      Say Good Morning, Good Night, and Good Day in Hebrew
      How to
      Say Hello in Korean
      How to
      Say Good Morning in French with Pronunciations
      How to
      Say "How Are You" in Nepali
      How to
      Say Hello in Russian
      How to
      Say Hello in Balinese
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.omniglot.com/writing/polish.htm
      2. ↑ https://mylanguages.org/polish_phrases.php
      3. ↑ https://mylanguages.org/polish_phrases.php
      4. ↑ https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/polish.php
      5. ↑ https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/polish.php
      6. ↑ https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/polish-culture/polish-culture-greetings
      7. ↑ https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/polish-culture/polish-culture-greetings
      8. ↑ https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/polish-culture/polish-culture-greetings
      9. ↑ https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/polish.php
      1. ↑ https://mylanguages.org/polish_phrases.php
      2. ↑ https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/polish.php
      3. ↑ https://mylanguages.org/polish_phrases.php

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To say hello in Polish, say “cześć,” which is pronounced like "cheh-sh-ch.” For a more formal way to say hello, say “dzień dobry,” which means “good day.” Pronounce this phrase by saying “jayn DOH-bry.” You should use this greeting whenever you’re meeting someone for the first time, you’re in a professional setting, or you’re unsure of how casual you can be. If you’re close friends with the person you want to greet, use a casual greeting like “hej,” which you pronounce just like the English “hey.” Since showing respect is important in Polish greetings, remember to address people by their proper titles until they invite you to call them by their first name. For more help, including how to say “good evening” in Polish, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 688,792 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Marion Veronica Early

        Jan 7, 2017

        "I found this page a perfect aid to Polish pronunciation. It set out the words in phonics simply enough for me to ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement