Moving to Poland means dozens of new situations in your first weeks: the government office, your PESEL number, a rental contract, your first doctor’s appointment, a new team at work. English helps, but not everywhere. We have collected 50 Polish phrases that expats use most often in real life. Each one is correct and ready to use.
A tip before you start: in Poland we address strangers as Pan (to a man) or Pani (to a woman), with the verb in the third person. Czy może Pan mi pomóc? (Could you help me?) sounds polite and natural. Where male and female forms differ, both are given below.
At the government office: PESEL, address registration, residence card
| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| Dzień dobry, chciałbym / chciałabym złożyć wniosek. | Good morning, I would like to submit an application. |
| Gdzie mogę pobrać numerek? | Where can I get a queue ticket? |
| Potrzebuję numeru PESEL. | I need a PESEL number. |
| Chcę się zameldować. | I want to register my address. |
| Składam wniosek o kartę pobytu. | I am applying for a residence card. |
| Jakie dokumenty są potrzebne? | What documents are needed? |
| Czy mogę prosić o formularz? | Could I have the form, please? |
| Gdzie mam się podpisać? | Where should I sign? |
| Czy mogę dosłać ten dokument później? | Can I send this document later? |
| Ile trwa rozpatrzenie wniosku? | How long does the application take? |
At the doctor’s and the pharmacy
| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| Chciałbym / chciałabym umówić się na wizytę. | I would like to make an appointment. |
| Boli mnie gardło. | I have a sore throat. |
| Boli mnie głowa. | I have a headache. |
| Mam gorączkę od wczoraj. | I have had a fever since yesterday. |
| Jestem ubezpieczony / ubezpieczona w NFZ. | I am insured with the NFZ. |
| Czy potrzebuję skierowania? | Do I need a referral? |
| Czy mogę dostać e-receptę? | Can I get an e-prescription? |
| Czy jest coś bez recepty na kaszel? | Is there anything over the counter for a cough? |
| Jak często mam brać ten lek? | How often should I take this medicine? |
Renting a flat
| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| Szukam mieszkania do wynajęcia. | I am looking for a flat to rent. |
| Kiedy mogę obejrzeć mieszkanie? | When can I view the flat? |
| Czy opłaty są wliczone w czynsz? | Are the bills included in the rent? |
| Ile wynosi kaucja? | How much is the deposit? |
| Czy można mieć zwierzęta? | Are pets allowed? |
| Nie działa ogrzewanie. | The heating is not working. |
| Cieknie kran w łazience. | The bathroom tap is leaking. |
| Kiedy przyjdzie fachowiec? | When will the repair person come? |
At work
| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| Miło mi Pana / Panią poznać. | Nice to meet you. |
| Czy możemy przejść na ty? | Can we use first names? |
| Przepraszam, czy może Pan / Pani powtórzyć wolniej? | Sorry, could you repeat that more slowly? |
| Czy mogę zadać pytanie? | May I ask a question? |
| Wyślę to do końca dnia. | I will send it by the end of the day. |
| Mam spotkanie o dziesiątej. | I have a meeting at ten. |
| Jestem dziś na zdalnej. | I am working remotely today. |
| Biorę jutro dzień urlopu. | I am taking a day off tomorrow. |
Shops, cafés and public transport
| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| Poproszę kawę na wynos. | A coffee to go, please. |
| Ile to kosztuje? | How much is it? |
| Czy mogę zapłacić kartą? | Can I pay by card? |
| Nie potrzebuję torby, dziękuję. | I do not need a bag, thank you. |
| Poproszę paragon. | The receipt, please. |
| Gdzie mogę kupić bilet? | Where can I buy a ticket? |
| Czy ten tramwaj jedzie do centrum? | Does this tram go to the city centre? |
| Na którym przystanku mam wysiąść? | At which stop should I get off? |
Everyday phrases that open doors
| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| Smacznego! | Enjoy your meal! |
| Na zdrowie! | Cheers! / Bless you! |
| Wszystkiego najlepszego! | All the best! / Happy birthday! |
| Miłego weekendu! | Have a nice weekend! |
| Do zobaczenia! | See you! |
| Nie ma za co. | You are welcome. |
| Przepraszam, nie mówię dobrze po polsku. | Sorry, I do not speak Polish well. |
Why learn Polish if you speak English at work?
Because language is more than a tool for paperwork. A few sentences in Polish change your relationship with your neighbour, the clerk at the office and your team. Expats who speak some Polish build their network faster and feel at home sooner. If you plan to stay long term, think ahead too: a B1 certificate is required for Polish citizenship, among other things. Read more in our guide to the Polish B1 exam.
Learn Polish online in a small group
At Go For Polish we teach adult learners from A1 to C2, in groups of 3 to 6 students or one to one. Classes are 100% online, so they fit around a full time job. Every enrolment starts with a conversation with Dorota, who matches you with the right level and format.
Explore courses for adults or get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Can you live in Poland without speaking Polish?
In big cities you can handle many everyday things in English. At government offices, at the doctor’s, when renting a flat and with your neighbours, basic Polish makes life much easier and saves a lot of time.
When should I use Pan or Pani, and when ty?
With strangers, at offices, in shops and at work, start with Pan (to a man) and Pani (to a woman). Switch to the informal ty when someone offers it, usually an older person or a more senior colleague.
Which level should I start with after moving to Poland?
If you do not speak any Polish, start at A1, which is designed for complete beginners. At A2 you can already handle most everyday situations on your own.