Language Tips!

There's no getting away from it - Polish is a tough language to master: any early attempts at communication will have you sounding like you're whimpering, 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 tortuous tongue-twisters, so we've included at the bottom of this page, a brief guide to get you started as well as the chance to listen to Polish words and phrases as they should sound!

Ok, with the help of our beginner's guide to Polish you may not be able to hold an in-depth conversation on the impact of globalisation on the world economy - however you might be able make a new friend who will help you through some of those hard-to-pronounce chat up lines!

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.

If this brief foray into the world of Polski has you wanting more then maybe you should read up on language schools in Wroclaw. There are plenty of reputable schools offering excellent courses, and the chance to learn Polish in Poland is not to be missed!

Comments

not shown
Szymon
Poland

I can offer you Polish in return for your English. Besides I can show you Wroclaw & surrounding places. I like jogging, cycling, canoeing, mountain climbing, travels, history, politics and..... English language, of course :-)

Reply Jun 19th, 2017
Katarina
Germany

I can recommend very good Polish language school - Polonica. Located in Wroclaw, but they offer also summer courses in another cities in Poland.

Reply Jan 18th, 2012
gökhan
Turkey

I know a wonderful girl who lives in Koszalin and i love Koszalin too much. It was a wonderful town to live and people are so so friendly. I miss Koszalin too much.

Reply Jan 10th, 2012
ROXY
Ireland

I have been to Wroclaw 2 times and its really beautiful city. So I have booked to go again in June for the Euros hoping that Ireland would at least play 1 match their. But alas no. So I would like to get a recomendation to know what is the best and the easiest to get to Poznan or Gdansk from their so I can go to Irish matches. I am looking forward to seeing the Greek, Czech, Russian and of course the Polish fans while I am their.

Reply Dec 3rd, 2011
wida
Indonesia

I met a man from polland who travel to indonesia in train station. He is a nice guy and I showed him several places in jakarta :) I think polish really difficult but very interesting!hope someday could go to polland

Reply Aug 2nd, 2011
zoe
United States

Brilliant!! Now i can write a letter to my brothers friend!!

Reply Jul 2nd, 2011
riz
United Kingdom

i like that

Reply Sep 8th, 2010
junaid
Pakistan

hi everyone first of all ppl in POLAND are really good i really enjoyed my trip to POLAND..:) and i made new friends aswell sound ppl... cool..!!! so hope to come again :):)

Reply Aug 12th, 2010
Marta & Staszek
Poland

koniecznie zerknijcie na www.zostaliwelwowie.pl a potem zachêcamy ¿eby pój¶æ krok dalej... to te¿ kawa³ek Wroc³awia

Reply Apr 4th, 2010
Monique
Poland

the best spa ever

Reply Feb 16th, 2010
Ronan
Thailand

I am Thai and gonna study Polish language at Wroclaw University. My class will start on 1st March. I hope that I will have many friends there. I wanna have friends from around the world.

Reply Jan 30th, 2010
terri
United Kingdom

hiya wot u up ta

Reply Jan 13th, 2010
Clara
Spain

¡Hola!¿Algún recién llegado a Wroclaw? Si estáis buscando un buen sitio donde aprender polaco, os recomiendo Link. Es una escuela que está muy bien situada: en Plac Solny, ¡al lado de Rynek! Las profesoras son muy majas y el ambiente es inmejorable: grupos reducidos, con estudiantes de todas partes del mundo. Yo estoy aprendiendo rápido gracias a ellas. Además, las clases son muy dinámicas y divertidas. También está bastante bien de precio (depende del número de estudiantes por curso).

Reply Jan 11th, 2010
Clara
Spain

Hi everyone!Are you new in Poland? If you are looking for a good place to learn polish I recommend you Link. Its a very nice school which is very well located in the city centre: in Plac Solny. Just close to Rynek! The teachers are great and helpful. So the students are. You´ll meet people from all over the world there ;) You´ll learn fast and the lessons are dinamic and funny. I´ve studied languages in another countries and this is one of the best schools! Price is also good: (it depends of the number of students). Pozdrowienie!

Reply Jan 11th, 2010
Anna
Poland

HI.If you want to learn Polish language and culture, try professional Polish lessons.

Reply Nov 25th, 2009
Anna Kalinowska
United States

Polish lessons - experienced teacher Mobile: 600 520 618

Reply Nov 9th, 2009
Meg
United Kingdom

Hey you from Algieria. You know nothin about polish girls. They find you, algierians repulsive and want to throw up at the sight of people like you. So keep these hopeless comments for yourself n***a !

Reply Oct 30th, 2009
Bruno
Portugal

You guys say its difficult, polish language? what do u think about portuguese? Buzi Malinka moja zona

Reply Sep 17th, 2009
Reza
Azerbaijan

I want to know about the cheapest travel way from warsaw to wraclaw and how much does it

Reply Sep 17th, 2009
Okeke Adizu ,j
Nigeria

I want to study in poland,i ve been admmited into one of the universities at wroclaw but seeing the language is very difficult to me.hope they speak english

Reply Sep 14th, 2009
Boulos Ibrahim
Egypt

Dear sir/madam We are an Egyptian joint stock company. We have been working in immigration & studying services to Many Countries for 7 years. A lot of studying and immigration cases traveled through our cooperation. We have two offices: in Egypt & Muscat. In addition, Egypt is considered to be a good market and fair land as its census is nearly 75 millions and there are a lot of people who want to travel. I have heard about your shhool a lot of good things and I would like you to cooperate with me. In other words, I will be glad to be your agent here in Egypt so please if you are interested send me all details about the fees, whether being for undergraduate or postgraduate, with its duration. I really wish that a continuous collaboration would start between us. I look forward to your answer. Best regards, Boulos Ibrahim Chairman 31 El-Hegaz st, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. Tel : (202) 245 19 578 Telefax: (202) 245 34 849 Mobile: (012) 34 61 368 www.newvisionegypt.net vision@newvisionegypt.net v_egypt@newvisionegypt.net

Reply Aug 5th, 2009
Jeremy Fisher
Italy

Phrases are said too fast and not clearly enough for a beginner.

Reply Jul 15th, 2009
Mark
United Kingdom

Very quick and effective way to learn Polish: www.supermemo.net/category/24

Reply Jul 15th, 2009
Johnny Li
Poland

I'm a Chinese in Wroclaw POLAND I teach Chinese Language 0048- 501 406 568 Skype : reniali

Reply Jun 30th, 2009
faouzi_algeria
Algeria

we are in 2009.every thing's clear now.for me isn't interesed point for say that pl is good or not.if we talking trully we will find that poland is poor country that some rich country as usa use poor poles for go fight in palestine.iraque or afghanestane..ets!cause of what!coz some thing name's zloty heheh.i don't been before in poland but i met a lot of poles.and realy some disgusting pp .and i'm realy afraid for be in poland some day cause all polish girls do sex like animals anywhere every where.coz of that there is some thing name's aids.!

Reply Apr 27th, 2009
faouzi_algeria
Algeria

we are in 2009.every thing's clear now.for me isn't interesed point for say that pl is good or not.if we talking trully we will find that poland is poor country that some rich country as usa use poor poles for go fight in palestine.iraque or afghanestane..ets!cause of what!coz some thing name's zloty heheh.i don't been before in poland but i met a lot of poles.and realy some disgusting pp .and i'm realy afraid for be in poland some day cause all polish girls do sex like animals anywhere every where.coz of that there is some thing name's aids.!

Reply Apr 27th, 2009
jezykchinski@op.pl
Poland

ѧϰººÓ²¨À¼ÓïÓ¢ÓﺺÓï·­Òë¡£ Teach Chinese Language in Poland

Reply Apr 19th, 2009
Jezykchinski@op.pl
China

Teach Chinese Language in Poland

Reply Apr 19th, 2009
Jezykchinski@op.pl
China

Teach Chinese Language in Poland

Reply Apr 19th, 2009
Macy
Brazil

Hi guys!Looking for polish school? Head for LINK in the city centre. They're great!Really enjoyed the classes and the girls are so cool!Polecam:)

Reply Apr 16th, 2009
Ania
Canada

czesc! bardzo mi sie podoba ta strona i chciala bym aby wiecej ludzi ja widzialo poniewarz naprwde pomamga w polskim jezyku!!!

Reply Apr 5th, 2009
Kuba
Poland

Well, I was trying to speak some Norwegian once and I don't think it was any easier... Norway is a wonderfull country and people are very friedly as well, but the lenguage was horrible to learn... ;)Thank God, they all speak English...

Reply Mar 15th, 2009
Liv
Norway

Oh, my good.. I'ts sooo hard to say words in polish.. But I absolutely LOVE Poland, and the guys there as well : x I know one hot guy called Mirek: ) Tesknie za toba, Mirek

Reply Mar 1st, 2009
Roger
United Kingdom

If you are looking for a good language course in Polish for a few days in Wroclaw, may I recommend Link Language school in Plac Solny - right in the heart of the old town. Give Marta Geller a call. She will sort you out a teacher and course to suit your level of ability and time you have to spare. It is also very good value for money.

Reply Feb 23rd, 2009
Roger
United States

If you are looking for a good language course in Polish for a few days in Wroclaw, may I recommend Link Language school in Plac Solny - right in the heart of the old town. Give Marta Geller a call. She will sort you out a teacher and course to suit your level of ability and time you have to spare. It is also very good value for money.

Reply Feb 23rd, 2009
THEMIS
Greece

I LIKE POLAND VERY MUCH SO I WANT TO LEARN POLISH-MAYBE IN THE FUTURE I FIND A JOB HERE-PLEASE CONTACT ME-I AM GOOD IN EVERYTHING WHAT HAVE TO DO WITH PEOPLE-THANKS A LOT!

Reply Feb 5th, 2009
kamil
Poland

hi! anybody intrested in language tandem? I am polish student who wants to learn new language. ( especially german, spanish, french, italian)

Reply Feb 2nd, 2009
gulsen
Turkey

I'll come Wroclaw to study,polish sounds like very hard and similiar Russian,pronanciation of the words difficult to say and I hope people speak English

Reply Jan 16th, 2009
Piotr
Poland

Awww, yeah one more. I'm stufy in UK... you know... very funny if fact that everyones want to know how to swear in polish they know how to say Fu**,Bit** etc., etc. And this is very funny how they doing it

Reply Dec 10th, 2008
Piotr
Poland

Drop by tonight and I'll show you my stamp collection ..hhahaha....

Reply Dec 10th, 2008
Dejan
Serbia

In spite of of all these comments about your "difficult" language. They are just lazy. Polish language is very easy for us Serbs. If some company need Serbian worker, call me :)

Reply Nov 12th, 2008
Andreas
Greece

i looking for work in poland.i am a cook.thanks....

Reply Oct 24th, 2008
Zuzanna
Luxembourg

I study in Wroclaw 3 years now & I love it...luckily I'm half polish so I speak the language and do not have to learn phrases like "Drop by tonight and I'll show you my stamp collection" by heart :)))) To the males: With this phrase NO POLISH girl will follow you anywhere ! :)))) Thanks for this website..it's great!

Reply Sep 15th, 2008
Stavros
Greece

Dzien dobry! Your language is very very difficult, tell that to the Brits who say "it's Greek to me!". :-)

Reply Jul 14th, 2008
alan
Poland

Drop by tonight and I'll show you my stamp collection - is the best :)))

Reply Apr 3rd, 2008
Krystyna Kalinowska
United States

Milo mi bylo jako Wroclawiance ktora brzebywa w U.S.A. od 30-tu lat zapoznac sie ze strona Inernetowa wypowiadajaca sie i reklamujaca bardzo pieknie, zreszta tak jak miasto Wroclaw mowi samo za siebie jego charakterystycznym i malowniczym wygladem. Jestem bardzo dumna i kocham moje rodzinne miasto calym sercem. Spedzilam w nim prawie polowe swojego zycia i calym sercem i dusz co dwa lata powracam w odwiedziny i za kazdym razem jest coraz piekniejsze i bajecznie malownicze. Przykro tylko ze nie wszyscy podziwiaja jego zbytki, kulture, piekno i godna historyczna przynaleznosc Polski w ten sam sposub jak ja. Moze nalezalo by co niektorym otworzyc oczy i przypomniec-- kim jestesmy i skad sie wywodzimy????? Mala uwaga....nalezalo by sie zapoznac z prawdziwa historia Wroclawia/Polska a nie wypisywac bzdury i oszczerstwa.

Reply Feb 15th, 2008
DIMITRIS
Greece

Your language is very difficult for me, as probably is the Greek language for you. Anyway I think people can communicate among them with many other ways , if there is good will.

Reply Nov 11th, 2007
Marcin
United States

These little audio clips are great! Really help a lot - thanks!

Reply Oct 23rd, 2007
Smoki
Poland

See you allegro :)

Reply Oct 1st, 2007
HORNIK
Poland

dzien dobry dziekuje

Reply Sep 9th, 2007
boki
Croatia

Za Agu & Karolu

Reply Jul 11th, 2007
Vex
Croatia

cure cekajte nas,stizu Rossonero&Bianconero

Reply Jul 11th, 2007
boki
Croatia

Kad ja i vedro doðemo tamo

Reply Jul 11th, 2007
jendrek
Poland

tesknie za wroclawiem.maktos link na kamery uliczne??niech podesle;)

Reply Apr 15th, 2007
suzanna
Poland

iest super

Reply Mar 2nd, 2007