Polish Phrases

Even one word brings a smile and breaks the ice.

Basics

Dzień dobry

Hello / Good morning

[jen DOH-bri]

Cześć

Hi (informal)

[cheshch]

Do widzenia

Goodbye

[doh veed-ZEH-nya]

Proszę

Please / Here you go

[PROH-sheh]

Dziękuję

Thank you

[jen-KOO-yeh]

Przepraszam

Sorry / Excuse me

[pseh-PRAH-sham]

Tak / Nie

Yes / No

[tahk / nyeh]

Zapraszam / Witaj

Welcome

[zah-PRAH-sham / VEE-tigh]

Meeting brothers & sisters

Mam na imię

My name is / I’m

[mahm nah EE-myeh]

Miło Cię poznać

Nice to meet you

[MEE-woh chyeh POZ-nach]

Brat

Brother

[braht]

Siostra

Sister

[SHOS-trah]

Kongres Międzynarodowy

International Convention

[KON-gres myen-dzy-nah-roh-DOH-vi]

Delegat

Delegate

[DEH-leh-ghat]

Głoszenie

Preaching

[gwoh-SHEH-nyeh]

Prezent

Gift

[PREH-zent]

Zajęcie

Activity

[zai-YEN-cheh]

Most young people speak English; older generations may not. Address young ones by first name; for older ones use Brother/Sister (brat / siostra) before the name, and Mr./Mrs. (Pan / Pani / Państwo) for those who aren’t Witnesses. Even one Polish word — even a funny-sounding one — brings joy and breaks the ice. Translator apps are common and fine to use.