Each language has some sentences/phrases/rhymes that contain really hard to pronounce words, especially when they are put together with other words.

In Polish we call it “Łamanie języka“, which translated would be literally “breaking tongue”.

Here are 3 different ones that you can “practice” with…And don’t worry if you are having hard time with it, a lot of native Polish speakers can not say it correctly. I’m attaching a video which shows you how to pronounce it. I will try to translate it for you as well. It may not be “100% accurate” translation though. A lot of words that are used here can not be found in books or dictionaries, but I will do my best.

CHRZĄSZCZ (Beetle)

Trzynastego, w Szczebrzeszynie 

chrząszcz się zaczął tarzać w trzcinie.

Wszczęli wrzask Szczebrzeszynianie:

– Cóż ma znaczyć to tarzanie?!

Wezwać trzeba by lekarza,

zamiast brzmieć, ten chrząszcz się tarza!

Wszak Szczebrzeszyn z tego słynie,

że w nim zawsze chrząszcz BRZMI w trzcinie!”

A chrząszcz odrzekł nie zmieszany:

– Przyszedł wreszcie czas na zmiany!

Dawniej chrząszcze w trzcinie brzmiały,

teraz będą się tarzały”.

On the 13th in Szczebrzeszyn (name of the town) 

beetle began to wallow in the reeds

raised the shout Szczebrzeszynianie (people who live in Szczebrzeszyn)

what is this all rolling/wallowing about?

One would have to call the doctor

instead of making a sound, this beetle is wallowing

After all, Szczebrzeszyn is known for 

the beetle always makes a sound  in the reeds

A beetle said, not abashed:

Finally came time for a chanage

In the past beetles sounded in the reeds,

Now they will be wallowing!

 

KRÓLIK (rabbit,bunny)

Kurkiem kranu kręci kruk,

kroplą tranu brudząc bruk,

a przy kranie, robiąc pranie,

królik gra na fortepianie.

Raven turns the tap tap/faucet

Getting the pavement dirty with the drops of cod-liver oil

And at the tap, doing laundry

Rabbit is playing the piano

BĄK (bittern)

Spadł bąk na strąk,

a strąk na pąk.

Pękł pąk, pekł strąk,

a bąk się zląkł.

Bittern fell on the pod

and pod on the bud

bud burst, pod burst

and the bittern got scared

They are a little silly and may not make too much sense, unless you know Polish really well…

Good luck with it:)

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)