Polish is a very interesting language, but it is certainly not easy! Read this article to start studying it.
Steps
Step 1. Take learning Polish seriously
Practice every day.
Step 2. Immerse yourself in learning the language as much as possible and visit Poland
Step 3. Ask a Polish friend to teach you the language, so you will familiarize yourself with the pronunciation
Step 4. Learn some basic words and expressions, such as “Hello” or “Nice to meet you”
Don't ask how bad words translate!
Step 5. Learn to roll up your tongue when pronouncing the r
Step 6. Get a book, CD, or software to learn pronunciation
Use this guide to get started:
Step 7. Start with these introductory sentences:
- Cześć (“Hello”; pronounced “cesh-c”. The sound cz is similar to the c in “supper.” The letter ć also resembles this sound, but is much more attenuated).
- Witaj (“Hello”; pronounced “vi-tai”; it's a little more formal, but easier to pronounce).
- Dzień dobry ("Good morning"; pronounced "gin do-bre").
- Jak się masz? (“How are you?”; Pronounced “iak she mash?”; It's informal).
- Jak się Pani ma? ("How are you?"; It is formal and is aimed at a woman; it is pronounced "iak shi pa-ni ma?").
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Jak się Pan but? ("How are you?"; It is formal and is aimed at a man; it is pronounced "iak she pan ma?").
- (Mam się) dobrze (“I'm fine, thank you”; pronounced “mam she dobje”).
- (Mam się) źle (“I'm sick”).
- Czy umiesz mówić po polsku? ("Do you speak Polish?").
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Mówisz po angielsku? ("Do you speak English?"; Informal; pronounced "mu-vish po anghielsku?").
- Czy mówi Pani po angielsku? ("Do you speak English?"; Formal and directed to a woman; pronounced "c mu-vi pa-ni po anghielsku?").
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Czy mówi Pan po angielsku? (“Do you speak English?”; Formal and directed to a man; pronounced “c mu-vi pan po anghielsku?”).
- Tak, mówię (“Yes, I speak it”).
- Nie, nie mówię (“No, I don't speak”).
- Troszkę (“A little”).
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Jak masz na imię? ("What is your name?"; It is informal, and you have to answer by giving only your first name).
Mam na imię Jan (“My name is Jan”)
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Jak się nazywasz? ("What is your full name?"; It is informal, and you have to answer by giving your name and surname).
Nazywam się Zenon Stefaniak (“My name is Zenon Stefaniak”)
- Miło mi Cię poznać (“Nice to meet you; it's informal).
- Miło mi Panią poznać (“Pleased to meet you”; refers to a woman).
- Miło mi Pana poznać (“Pleased to meet you”; refers to a man).
- Do widzenia! ("Goodbye"; pronounced "do vizenia").
- Cześć (“Hello”; informal).
- Na razie ("See you"; informal).
- Do zobaczenia (“See you soon”; formal).
- Tak ("Yes").
- Nie ("No").
- Proszę ("Please").
- Dziękuję (“Thank you”; pronounced “ginkuie”).
- Proszę (“Of nothing”).
- Przepraszam (“Sorry / I'm sorry”; pronounced “psh-prasham”).
Advice
- Listen when they speak to you in Polish and try to repeat the words well.
- Don't be discouraged: insist! You can do it!
- Don't worry if you can't get perfect pronunciation right away! It is not a problem if you have a slightly foreign accent.
Warnings
- Polish is not easy, but don't be discouraged when they tell you that it is impossible to learn it.
- Don't be afraid to try to speak Polish. It is never too early to do this.
- Don't stress about the pronunciation: having a foreign accent is not a fault.
- Don't give up, no matter how hard it is.
