Language

There's no getting away from it - Polish is a tough language, and any early attempts at it will have you sounding like you're whispering, gargling and choking simultaneously. Many Poles, particularly the younger ones, speak English, but that's no excuse not to learn at least a few of those tortuous tongue-twisters, so we've included, at the bottom of this page, a brief guide to get you started.

For those who wish to get more involved, there are a host of excellent language schools in Zakopane, many of them providing translation services, which may be necessary if you plan to stay any length of time in the area.

What do all those signs mean?

There are a whole range of Polish words which look pretty similar to their English equivalents, so signs such as POLICJA, RESTAURACJA HOTEL and TAXI are hardly going to tax most travellers, but here are a handful of others that may be useful:

Kawiarnia - Cafe
Herbaciarnia - Tea House
Ksiegarnia - Book Shop
Mieso - Butchery
Nabial - Dairy products
Sklep - Shop
Prasa - Newsagent
Dworzec - Station
Lotnisko - Airport

The Polish language uses the Latin alphabet as in English, however you will find a few extra letters, (formed from Latin letters but with an additional slash or hook), bringing the total to 32. A few letters you won't find are: q, v, and x. The only exception to this rule are direct translations from other languages (e.g. "fax') and, of course, slang and marketing language.

We've added our new audio pronunciation guide (right) to help with those tricky Polish pronunciations! If you've got some good ideas on how to make our language section better, let us know!

Click to listen

Yes
Please
How much does this cost?
Do you speak English?
How much does beer cost?

No
How are you?
Cheers!
Two beers please!
I lost my passport - can you help me?

Hello
Goodbye
Thank you
Do you have a sister?
Drop by tonight and I'll show you my stamp collection

Zakopane language tips

You are such a idiot Frankenstain. If you requaire to put some coments in polish make sure they are corect.nob.

reviewed by Kirsty from United Kingdom on Jun.25.2010

wy jebane smiecie jestescie grubi pedaly

reviewed by frankenstine from United States on Jun.25.2010

I'd like to know some local jokes. Anyone got any good ones?!

reviewed by Stan from United States on Feb.26.2010

That's good to know Monika!

reviewed by Jake from United Kingdom on Jan.27.2010

"Drop by tonight and I'll show you my stamp collection"
it means come to my place and let's have a sex :P

reviewed by Monika from Poland on Oct.06.2009

It's a friendly site! I felt comfortable reading it. Although I have been learning some polish I need to know how much English I can expect from the local Polish people in this tourist location. I don't want to have higher/lower expectations than is realistic! Dzieki

reviewed by Maree from United Kingdom on Oct.05.2009

What is this "I'll show you my stamp collection? Is that some kind of kinky Polish metaphor?!!! Please inform...

reviewed by Eric from United States on Sep.28.2009

You should be making a proper recording "po goralsku" using highlander man dialogue! Good effort though!

reviewed by Mariusz from Poland on Jul.31.2009

Does this woman forgott about ą and ę sound? she says dziękuje and not dziekuję. Awfull for my polish ears

reviewed by Gábor from Hungary on Jul.16.2009

I'll be fluent in no time. Na zdrowie!!!

reviewed by Ben from United Kingdom on Jun.25.2009

It's pretty easy language, as I see! It's almost like Ukrainian, or sort of...I can't speak polish...but I can easily understand what they'r meanin' there)

reviewed by Shade from Ukraine on Jun.18.2009

Enjoyed listening to those. Not easy though!

reviewed by Stan from United States on May.27.2009

Actually you can find q, v and x in polish alphabet.

reviewed by Margaret from United Kingdom on Jan.13.2009

Do you know, how to ski? Does your family? No?
We will teach you!! SKIING AT SLOVAKIA!!!
excellent prices !!!

reviewed by rricki from Slovak Republic on Dec.25.2008

When asking, "Do you speak English?" it's better to say, "Czy pan/pani mowi po angielsku?" than to say "Czy mowisz po angielsku?" unless, of course, you are asking someone you're familiar with.

reviewed by Marysia from Poland on Aug.04.2008

Cool stuff but you should mention about how to translate Polish language to local(Highlanders)slang.
Let say in polish "zgobilem sie"
In local (or japanese) Ka jo to.
Just joking I was born in Zakopane and I love and miss that Region.

reviewed by Andrew from Canada on Jul.04.2008


Language barriers and for many a huge barrier, I am one of those it; deep google, but it lacks the Polish

reviewed by ch'timi from France on Mar.04.2008

great help to get started..

reviewed by sasali from Ireland on Jan.09.2008

for my summer holidays im going to Poland...yeah^^... bedzie fajnie-jak zawsze^^

reviewed by Adusia from Poland on May.12.2007

Do you speak English?
is "Czy mowisz po angielsku?

reviewed by from Poland on Feb.23.2007

Nice site for Poland info, but a little too "YO DUDE"-y for me, but maybe that's your audience. One big thing missing tho
- how do you say "Do you speak a little english?"

reviewed by amoeba from France on Feb.20.2007

great

reviewed by lisa from United States on Jan.24.2007

Karcma Po Zboju
reviewed on Feb.03.2012
"I recommend this restaurant because it is the best in Zakopane. Excellent s..."
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