How to Say Dziękuję & Other Survival Polish Phrases for Beginners
- Karolina Assi
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Learn how to say dziękuję, przepraszam, and other basic Polish phrases you need to survive in Poland, whether you're an expat or a tourist. Includes free audio and a PDF cheat sheet!
So, you’ve decided to learn Polish. First of all, bravo. You're brave. You're bold. You're potentially about to make some very strange sounds with your mouth that you didn't know were humanly possible.
Polish has a reputation for being impossible to pronounce without spraining your tongue. People look at a word like bezwzględny or szczęście and assume someone's cat just sat on the keyboard. But Polish is actually a giant puzzle, and once you learn where the pieces fit, it’s incredibly rewarding.
Today, we’re tackling the survival Polish words and phrases you abso-effing-lutely need if you're a foreigner in Poland who's just starting to learn the language, trying to survive a Polish dinner party without looking like a confused outsider.
How to Say Dziękuję & Other 15 Beginner Polish Words You Need to Survive in Poland
Mastering a few key words can completely change your experience in Poland. Whether you are navigating a grocery store or sitting down for Sunday dinner with a Polish family, these 16 essential words and phrases will help you move past pointing and gesturing toward actual, polite communication.
Tak / Nie
Tak (tahk) and Nie (nyeh) are the basic words for "Yes" and "No." In casual Polish, the word "No" is frequently used as a colloquial version of "Yes" (similar to "Yeah"). If you hear a Pole say "No" while nodding, they are agreeing with you, not declining.
Dziękuję
Dziękuję (jen-KOO-yeh) is the standard formal "Thank you." In informal settings among friends or peers, you can use the shorter version, Dzięki (JYEN-kee), which functions exactly like "Thanks" in English.
Przepraszam
Przepraszam (pshe-PRASH-ahm) serves as both "I’m sorry" and "Excuse me." It's the correct word to use when you need to pass someone in a crowded space, get a waiter's attention, or apologize for a mistake.
Proszę
Proszę (PRO-sheh) is a multi-functional word. It means "Please" when making a request and "You’re welcome" as a response to Dziękuję. Additionally, it's used to say "Come in" after a knock on the door or "Here you go" when handing someone an object.
Poproszę...
Poproszę (po-PRO-sheh) is the specific form of "please" used when ordering or requesting something specific. In a cafe or shop, the standard sentence structure is Poproszę + [Item Name]. For example: "Poproszę kawę" (A coffee, please). Using this makes your requests sound natural and polite.
Nawzajem
Nawzajem (na-VZAY-em) translates to "Likewise" or "You too." It is the most efficient response to any polite wish. If someone says "Have a nice day" or "Enjoy your meal," saying nawzajem is the most common way to return the sentiment.
Nie ma za co
Nie ma za co (nyeh ma za tso) literally means "there is nothing for what." It's the equivalent of saying "No problem" or "Don't mention it." Use this as an alternative to proszę when you want to be slightly more casual after someone thanks you.
Nie ma problemu
Nie ma problemu (nyeh ma pro-BLEH-moo) translates literally to "No problem." While Nie ma za co is the more traditional way to say "you're welcome," this phrase has become incredibly common in modern, everyday Polish. Use it when someone thanks you for a favor or when you want to reassure someone that a request is easy to fulfill.
Smacznego
Smacznego (smash-NEH-go) is the equivalent of "Enjoy your meal." In Polish culture, it is nearly mandatory to say this before eating with others. If you walk into a room where people are eating, it's also polite to say smacznego as you pass by.
Na zdrowie
Na zdrowie (na ZDRO-vyeh) translates to "To health." It's used in two specific scenarios: as a toast when drinking alcohol (equivalent to "Cheers") and as a response to someone sneezing (equivalent to "Bless you"). Note that it's not typically used for coughing.
Słucham? / Halo?
Słucham (SWOO-ham) literally means "I am listening." It's the polite way to say "Pardon?" or "What?" when you don't hear someone, or when they say something stupid. A lot of people also use it to answer the phone. Halo is another common way, although less polite, to answer the phone.
Zapraszam
Zapraszam (za-PRASH-ahm) means "I invite you" or "Please, enter." You'll hear this from shopkeepers inviting you to a counter or from hosts welcoming you into their home. It's a proactive word used to guide someone into a space or an activity.
Miłego dnia
Miłego dnia (mee-WEH-go DNYA) means "Have a nice day." This is the most common way to conclude an interaction in a professional or semi-formal setting, such as leaving a store or finishing a phone call.
Miło mi
Miło mi (MEE-wo mee) is a shortened version of "Nice to meet you." It's the most practical phrase to use during introductions. It can also be used if someone says or does something nice to you, like complimenting you or gifting you flowers. In this situation, it means something like "I'm flattered."
Oczywiście
Oczywiście (o-chy-VEESH-cheh) means "Of course" or "Certainly." Using this instead of a simple "yes" makes your speech sound more fluid and affirmative.
Powodzenia
Powodzenia (po-vo-DZEH-nya) means "Good luck." It's used generally to wish someone success in any endeavor, from a small task to a major life event. It's a common, friendly way to end a conversation when someone mentions a future plan.
8 Phrases That Will Save Your Life When You Don't Understand Polish
Look, it’s going to happen. You’ll be in a shop, feeling like a local, and suddenly the cashier at Żabka will hit you with a sentence containing 47 consonants and zero vowels. Don't panic. Just use this table to navigate the "I have no idea what they just said" phase of your Polish learning journey.
Wait! Before you go... I made a list of basic expressions every foreigner must know. These phrases will be your absolute lifeline! Whether you're trying to find a bathroom, order a cold drink, or explain that you're still a work in progress when it comes to Polish grammar, these are the heavy hitters.
Get my FREE list of basic Polish expressions
Are you just starting to learn Polish? Are you moving or traveling to Poland soon?
If so, I've put together a list of must-know expressions that’ll help you chat with the Poles like a pro (or at least like someone who knows how to ask for the bathroom).
