Polish Language Blog

“Jak się masz” the Polish phrase is the English equivalent of “how are you”.

I bet most of you know this phrase and it is probably one of the first ones to learn while studying Polish!

However, I have to tell you, that it is not a really popular phrase in Poland. People usually say phrases like: Hello – “cześć”, Good morning – “dzień dobry” or Hw is your day – “Jak Ci dzień mija?”.

Some phrases mean basically the same, an informal hello. “Co u ciebie” means ‘what is up with you’. “Jak tam” is basically ‘how are you there’. “Jak leci” is literally ‘how is it flying’, or more generally, ‘what is going on’.

“Jak sie pani ma?”, might be the formal equivalent.  In Polish you usually speak a formal language to people you do not know.

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

Today I wanted to share some information with you about this great book with Polish rhymes.

Since my kids are bilingual (my older daughter is almost 3 and she speaks both Polish and English, my younger daughter is …1 month old – obviously she can not speak yet, but she listens to us speaking Polish, reading Polish books, listening to Polish songs and watching Polish movies!), I always look for books that will be interesting for them. I try to find something that will teach them about Polish culture and improve their language skills.

This book is really amazing. It has all the best Polish rhymes for kids that I remember from my childhood. It is very colorful and kid friendly. Next to each rhyme, depending what is it about, there are some useful information about particular subject. For example page next to the rhyme about chimney-sweep (kominiarz)  tells you about different superstitions and what to do when you see one somewhere (for example you are supposed to hold on to any button on your clothes in order to avoid bad luck when you see chimney-sweep). Rhyme about dogs tells you more about dogs in Poland and types of dogs, rhyme about the children’s room will explain more about different furniture on the opposite page, etc.

It teaches counting, colors, improves memory and speech!  You can get it on Amazon website. Definitely worth it!

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

If you are interested in the Polish culture, literature and want to learn Polish language in an interesting way  -  this s a great book for you! And it is bilingual!

It contains the selection of 207 Polish aphorisms written by the best Polish writers, poets, journalists and even some politicians in bilingual version – in Polish original and in its English translation. It also had a variety of Polish folk proverbs – some of them unique to Polish culture, the other common in many cultures but still unique in the way how Poles express their common wisdom.

The selection was arranged by Jacek Gałązka. The general introduction to the history of Polish language and the literature was written by prof. Jerzy Krzyżanowski, famous Polish literature expert. Jacek Gałązka wrote the introductions to the aphorisms and proverbs sections.

According to Jacek Gałązka - the aphorisms were chosen so that they would be easily understandable for English culture readers, the ones who depended on some Polish context or on the play of words were excluded since their meaning could be obscured. The volume of Polish aphorisms is dedicated to Stanisław Jerzy Lec, the most famous Polish aphorism writer and poet.

Jacek is an excellent translator. All his translations sound the same good or even better than the originals but convey the same message. The book is enriched by several illustrations done by Barbara Świdzińska.

This is not a book which you should read from cover to cover during one day but you should read it if you have a minute of time and think over through the wisdom of these small aphorisms. It definitively helps to understand Polish culture better!

Below is a short selection of aphorisms and proverbs in Polish and English – to give you a taste of a book:

Niejeden bumerang nie wraca, wybiera wolność

Not every boomerang returns, some choose freedom

–Stanisław Jerzy Lec (1909-1966)

Różnica między intelektualistą zachodnim i wschodnim na tym polega, że pierwszy nie dostał dobrze w dupę

The difference between western and eastern intellectuals is that the former has not been kicked in the ass enough.

–Witold Gombrowicz (1904-1969)

Kłamstwo ma krótkie nogi ale biegnie szybciej od prawdy

A lie has a short legs but it runs faster than the truth

–Antoni Marianowicz (1924-2003)

Przyjaźń po wygaśnięciu miłości jest jak dym po pożarze

Friendship after love is like smoke after fire

–Magdalena Samozwaniec (1899-1972)

Rodzynek – stroskane winogrono

Raisin – a worried grape

–Julian Tuwim (1894-1953)

Pieniądz dobry sługa lecz zły przewodnik

Money is a good servant but a poor guide

–Polish folk proverb

Na szyi żyrafy pchła zaczyna wierzyć w nieśmiertelność

On the neck of a giraffe a flea begins to believe in immortality

– Stanisław Jerzy Lec (1909-1966)

Nie pytaj Boga o drogę do nieba bo wskaże ci najtrudniejszą

Do not ask God for the way to heaven, he will show you the hardest one.

– Stanisław Jerzy Lec (1909-1966)

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)