Lesson 2 Greetings

Welcome back! Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the Polish alphabet and sounds, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. In this lesson, we’ll focus on basic greetings, self-introductions, and polite expressions. These are the building blocks of any conversation, and mastering them will give you the confidence to start interacting in Polish right away.

Part 1: Common Greetings

Greetings are the first step in any interaction. In Polish, the greeting you use depends on the time of day and the level of formality. Let’s break it down:

1. Cześć (cheshch) – Hi/Hello
   • This is the most common informal greeting, used among friends, family, or people your age.
   • Example:
     • Cześć! Jak się masz? (Hi! How are you?)
2. Dzień dobry (jen DOH-brih) – Good morning/Good day
   • Use this from morning until late afternoon (until around 5-6 PM). It’s appropriate in both formal and informal settings.
   • Example:
     • Dzień dobry! Miło cię poznać. (Good morning! Nice to meet you.)
3. Dobry wieczór (DOH-brih VYEH-choor) – Good evening
   • Use this in the evening, typically after 6 PM. It’s also suitable for formal and informal situations.
   • Example:
     • Dobry wieczór! Co u ciebie słychać? (Good evening! What’s new with you?)
4. Do widzenia (doh vee-DZEN-ya) – Goodbye
   • This is a formal way to say goodbye, used in most situations.
   • Example:
     • Do widzenia! Do zobaczenia jutro. (Goodbye! See you tomorrow.)
5. Pa (pa) – Bye
   • A casual and friendly way to say goodbye, often used among friends.
   • Example:
     • Pa! Zadzwoń do mnie później. (Bye! Call me later.)

Part 2: Introducing Yourself

Now that you know how to greet someone, let’s learn how to introduce yourself. These phrases will help you share a little about who you are:

1. Nazywam się… (na-ZIH-vam shyeh) – My name is…
   • This is the most common way to introduce yourself.
   • Example:
     • Nazywam się Anna. (My name is Anna.)
2. Jestem z… (YES-tem z) – I am from…
   • Use this to tell someone where you’re from.
   • Example:
     • Jestem z Polski. (I am from Poland.)
     • Jestem z Anglii. (I am from England.)
3. Mam … lat (mam … lat) – I am … years old
   • This phrase is used to share your age. Note that the word “lat” (years) changes depending on the number (we’ll cover this in more detail later).
   • Example:
     • Mam 25 lat. (I am 25 years old.)
4. Jestem studentem/studentką (YES-tem stoo-DEN-tem/stoo-DENT-koh) – I am a student
   • Use this to say you’re a student. “Studentem” is for males, and “studentką” is for females.
   • Example:
     • Jestem studentem. Uczę się polskiego. (I am a student. I am learning Polish.)
     • Jestem studentką. Studiuję historię. (I am a student. I study history.)
5. Pracuję jako… (pra-TSOO-yeh YA-moh) – I work as…
   • Use this to talk about your profession.
   • Example:
     • Pracuję jako nauczyciel. (I work as a teacher.)
     • Pracuję jako programista. (I work as a programmer.)
6. Mieszkam w… (MYESH-kam v) – I live in…
   • Use this to say where you live.
   • Example:
     • Mieszkam w Warszawie. (I live in Warsaw.)
     • Mieszkam w Londynie. (I live in London.)

Part 3: Basic Polite Expressions

Politeness goes a long way in any language. Here are three essential polite expressions in Polish:

1. Dziękuję (jen-KOO-yeh) – Thank you
   • Use this to express gratitude. You can also say Dzięki (jen-KEE) informally, which is like saying “Thanks.”
   • Example:
     • Dziękuję za pomoc! (Thank you for your help!)
2. Proszę (PRO-sheh) – Please/You’re welcome
   • This word is versatile. It can mean “please” when making a request or “you’re welcome” in response to “thank you.”
   • Example:
     • Proszę, podaj mi sól. (Please, pass me the salt.)
     • Dziękuję! – Proszę bardzo. (Thank you! – You’re welcome.)
3. Przepraszam (psheh-PRA-sham) – Sorry/Excuse me
   • Use this to apologize or to get someone’s attention.
   • Example:
     • Przepraszam, która jest godzina? (Excuse me, what time is it?)
     • Przepraszam za spóźnienie. (Sorry for being late.)

Practice Tasks

Now it’s time to practice what you’ve learned! Try these exercises to reinforce your knowledge:

Task 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the correct Polish phrase:

1. __________! Jak się masz? (Hi! How are you?)
2. __________ się Marek. (My name is Marek.)
3. __________ za prezent! (Thank you for the gift!)
4. __________, czy możesz mi pomóc? (Excuse me, can you help me?)
5. __________ z Francji. (I am from France.)
6. __________ 30 lat. (I am 30 years old.)
7. __________ studentką. (I am a student.)
8. __________ w Krakowie. (I live in Krakow.)

Task 2: Role Play

Imagine you’re meeting someone for the first time. Write a short dialogue in Polish using the phrases you’ve learned. Include:

• A greeting
• Introducing yourself
• Sharing where you’re from
• Talking about your job or studies
• A polite expression

Example:

• Cześć! Nazywam się Kasia. Jestem z Polski. Jestem studentką. A ty?
• Dzień dobry! Jestem Tom. Jestem z Anglii. Pracuję jako nauczyciel. Miło cię poznać!

Task 3: Pronunciation Practice

Listen to native speakers (you can find resources online) and repeat the following phrases out loud:

1. Cześć!
2. Dzień dobry!
3. Nazywam się…
4. Dziękuję!
5. Przepraszam.
6. Jestem studentem.
7. Mieszkam w Warszawie.

Tips for Success

• Practice daily: Even 10 minutes a day can make a big difference.
• Use flashcards: Write the Polish phrases on one side and the English translation on the other. Test yourself regularly.
• Speak out loud: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—practice makes perfect!
• Engage with native speakers: If you can, find a language partner or join a Polish language group online.

Wrap-Up

Congratulations! You’ve just learned how to greet people, introduce yourself, and use polite expressions in Polish. These are the first steps toward building real conversations. In the next lesson, we’ll dive into basic sentence structure and asking simple questions. Until then, keep practicing and don’t forget to say Dziękuję when someone helps you!

Powodzenia! (Good luck!)