Lesson 25 – Time

Welcome back! In this lesson, we’re diving into telling time in Polish. Knowing how to ask for and express the time is essential for daily life, whether you’re scheduling appointments, making plans, or simply keeping track of your day. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to confidently tell time in Polish. Let’s get started!

Why Learn How to Tell Time?

Telling time is a fundamental skill that helps you:

• Schedule appointments and meetings.
• Make plans with friends or colleagues.
• Navigate daily routines like catching a bus or train.

How to Ask for the Time

Here’s how to ask for the time in Polish:

How to Tell the Time

Here’s how to express the time in Polish:

1. Full Hours:
   • Use Jest godzina… (It is… o’clock).
   • Example: Jest godzina trzecia. – It is 3:00.
2. Half Hours:
   • Use Jest wpół do… (It is half past…).
   • Example: Jest wpół do czwartej. – It is 3:30.
3. Minutes Past the Hour:
   • Use Jest … po… (It is … past…).
   • Example: Jest pięć po trzeciej. – It is 3:05.
4. Minutes to the Hour:
   • Use Jest za … … (It is … to…).
   • Example: Jest za dziesięć ósma. – It is 7:50.

Using Time Expressions in Context

Let’s see how these phrases work in real-life sentences:

1. Asking for the Time:
   • Ty: Przepraszam, która godzina?
     (Excuse me, what time is it?)
   • Ktoś: Jest godzina dziesiąta.
     (It is 10:00.)
2. Making Plans:
   • Ty: Spotkajmy się o wpół do piątej.
     (Let’s meet at 4:30.)
   • Ktoś: Dobrze, widzimy się wtedy.
     (Okay, see you then.)
3. Talking About Schedules:
   • Ty: Autobus odjeżdża o siódmej.
     (The bus leaves at 7:00.)
   • Ktoś: Dziękuję, muszę się spieszyć.
     (Thank you, I need to hurry.)

Grammar Notes

1. Numbers and Time:
   • Use ordinal numbers for hours (e.g., pierwsza – 1:00, druga – 2:00).
   • Use cardinal numbers for minutes (e.g., pięć – five, dziesięć – ten).
2. Prepositions with Time:
   • Use o (at) to specify a time.
     • Spotykamy się o piątej. – We are meeting at 5:00.

Practice Tasks

1. Fill in the Blanks:
   Complete the sentences with the correct time expression:
   • Jest ___ (3:00).
   • Jest ___ (4:30).
   • Jest ___ (5:15).
   • Jest ___ (6:45).
2. Translate These Sentences:
   • It is 8:00.
   • It is 2:30.
   • It is 10:10.
   • It is 7:55.
3. Create Your Own Sentences:
   Write 5 sentences about your daily schedule using time expressions. For example:
   • Wstaję o siódmej. – I wake up at 7:00.
   • Pracuję od ósmej do czwartej. – I work from 8:00 to 4:00.

Cultural Tip: Punctuality in Poland

Punctuality is highly valued in Poland. Being on time for appointments, meetings, and social events is considered a sign of respect. If you’re running late, it’s polite to inform the other person.

Homework

1. Write 10 sentences using different time expressions. Include examples of full hours, half hours, and minutes past/to the hour.
2. Practice asking and answering questions about time throughout your day.
3. Bonus: Look up how to say “quarter past” and “quarter to” in Polish and practice using them in sentences.

That’s it for Lesson 25! You’ve now mastered how to tell time in Polish. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be scheduling and planning like a pro. Do zobaczenia! 😊