Being Polish is something to be proud of. If you want to learn the language, keep reading, it is very interesting.
Steps
Step 1. Make sure you want to learn to speak Polish
Practice every day.
Step 2. Immerse yourself in the language as much as you can
Visit Poland!
Step 3. Talk to people and find out what the language is like
Step 4. Learn basic words like "hello" and "nice to meet you."
Don't ask for bad words!
Step 5. Learn to vibrate the 'r'
Step 6. Get a book, CD, or program to help you pronounce the words
Use this guide to help:
Step 7. Start with these introductory phrases:
- Hello - Cześć (pronounced like "chesh-ch". The combination of the letters "cz" is like the "ch" in "boy". The last letter "ć" is a "ch" but soft)
- Hello - Witaj (vee-tie a bit more formal, but easier to pronounce than 'cześć')
- Hello - Dzień dobry (djen do-bri, means "good morning")
- How are you? - Jak się masz? (Yak she mash) (informal)
- How are you (sir or madam)? - Jak się Pani ma? (Yak she pa-nee ma?, It is more formal and is aimed at a woman)
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How are you, (sir)? - Jak się Pan ma? (Yak she pan ma, formal and is addressed to a man)
- I'm fine - (Mam się) dobrze (mam she dob-zhe)
- I'm wrong - (Mam się) źle
- Can you speak Polish? - Czy umiesz mówić po polsku?
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Do you know how to speak English? - Mówisz po angielsku? - informal (Moo-veesh po ang-yel-skoo?)
- Do you know how to speak English? - Czy mówi Pani po angielsku? (Chi moo-vee pa-nee po ang-yel-skoo?) (Formal, towards a woman)
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Do you know how to speak English? - Czy mówi Pan po angielsku? (Chi moo-vee pan po ang-yel-skoo?) (Formal, towards a man)
- Tak, mówię - Yes, I do
- Nie, nie mówię - No, I don't speak it
- Troszkę - A little
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What is your name? - Jak masz na imię? (Informal, first name only)
My name is Jan - Mam na imię Jan
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What is your full name)? - Jak się nazywasz? (Informal, full name)
My name is Zenon Stefaniak - Nazywam się Zenon Stefaniak
- Nice to meet you - Miło mi Cię poznać (informal)
- Nice to meet you (sir / madam) - Miło mi Panią poznać (formal, towards a woman)
- Nice to meet you (sir) - Miło mi Pana poznać (formal, towards a man)
- Bye! - Do widzenia! (Do vee-dze-nya)
- Bye! - Cześć (informal)
- See you soon - Na razie (informal)
- See you soon - Do zobaczenia (formal)
- Yes - Tak
- No - Nie
- Please - Proszę
- Thank you - Dziękuję (djen-koo-ye)
- Denada - Proszę
- Excuse me! Sorry! - Przepraszam. (pshe-pra-sham)
Advice
- Don't be discouraged, keep trying! You can!
- Listen to what someone says and repeat it "exactly" as you heard it.
- Don't worry if your pronunciation is not exact. Obviously you're going to have a bit of an accent.
Warnings
- They are very likely to laugh at the way you pronounce the words.
- Don't be afraid to give it a try, just tell them that you are learning and they will understand. Don't worry about what they might say.
- Don't try to speak to someone who speaks Polish as a mother tongue if you are just learning.
- Don't worry if you can't get a word right. You will obviously have a bit of an accent.
- Don't be discouraged, keep trying. You can achieve it!