{"id":3509,"date":"2012-08-11T22:32:33","date_gmt":"2012-08-11T22:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/polish\/?p=3509"},"modified":"2012-08-11T22:32:33","modified_gmt":"2012-08-11T22:32:33","slug":"meeting-someone-new-what-to-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/polish\/meeting-someone-new-what-to-say\/","title":{"rendered":"Meeting someone new…what to say?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Polish uses both formal and informal structures, and it is wise to observe them and try to use them correctly. The informal form of \u201cyou\u201d \u2014\u00a0ty<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 should only be reserved for friends, and it is always best to use the polite forms\u00a0pani<\/em>\u00a0(Madam) and\u00a0pan<\/em>\u00a0(Sir) when addressing strangers, particularly if they are older than you. It is also a good idea to wait to be invited before addressing anyone senior by his or her first name.<\/p>\n

Poland still maintains some customs that have fizzled out elsewhere. \u201cLadies first\u201d is still the rule in most social situations, and women are usually introduced by a third party before men. Poles take hospitality seriously and will treat any guests with great honor, particularly if they have invited them into their home. While many Poles still hold to social formalities, the Polish also have a great sense of conviviality and are very easygoing in the right environment. You will find that once the ice is broken people are keen to chat, particularly in bars and pubs!<\/p>\n

English is widely spoken in the cities and among younger people, but few visitors bother to speak the native tongue, so most Poles will be impressed with those brave enough to speak their complex language!<\/p>\n

\u00a0Here are some helpful phrases for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
 <\/td>\nDzie\u0144 dobry<\/strong><\/td>\nHello<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nDobry wieczor<\/strong><\/td>\nGood evening<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nJestem\u2026<\/strong><\/td>\nI am\u2026<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nJak masz na imi\u0119?<\/strong><\/td>\nWhat is your name? (first name; informal)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nJak ma pan\/pani na imi\u0119?<\/strong><\/td>\nWhat is your name? (first name; formal; pan<\/em> if addressing a man; pani<\/em> if addressing a woman)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nJak masz na nazwisko?<\/strong><\/td>\nWhat is your name? (surname; informal)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nJak ma pan\/pani na nazwisko?<\/strong><\/td>\nWhat is your name? (surname; formal; pan<\/em> if addressing a man; pani<\/em> if addressing a woman)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nJak si\u0119 nazywasz?<\/strong><\/td>\nWhat is your name? (full name; informal)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nJak si\u0119 pan\/pani nazywa?<\/strong><\/td>\nWhat is your name? (full name formal; pan<\/em> if addressing a man; pani<\/em> if addressing a woman)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nMam na imi\u0119\u2026<\/strong><\/td>\nMy name is\u2026 (first name)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nMam na nazwisko\u2026<\/strong><\/td>\nMy name is\u2026 (surname)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nNazywam si\u0119\u2026<\/strong><\/td>\nMy name is\u2026 (full name)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nMi\u0142o mi ci\u0119 pozna\u0107<\/strong><\/td>\nNice to meet you<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nMnie r\u00f3wnie\u017c<\/strong><\/td>\nNice to meet you too<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nTo jest pan\/pani\u2026<\/strong><\/td>\nMay I introduce\u2026 (pan<\/em> if a man; pani<\/em> if a woman)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nJak si\u0119 masz?<\/strong><\/td>\nHow are you?<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nU mnie w porz\u0105dku, dzi\u0119kuj\u0119.<\/strong><\/td>\nI am well, thank you.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nDobrze<\/strong><\/td>\nFine<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nTak sobie<\/strong><\/td>\nSo so<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\n\u0179le\/ niedobrze<\/strong><\/td>\nNot so good<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nA pan\/pani\/ty?<\/strong><\/td>\nAnd you? (pan <\/em>if addressing a man; pani<\/em> if addressing a woman (both formal); ty<\/em> for either gender informally)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nCzy pan\/pani m\u00f3wi po angielsku?<\/strong><\/td>\nDo you speak English? (pan <\/em>if addressing a man; pani<\/em> if addressing a woman)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nM\u00f3wi\u0119 po angielsku.<\/strong><\/td>\nI speak English.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nProsz\u0119 powt\u00f3rzy\u0107?<\/strong><\/td>\nCould you repeat that?<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nCo to znaczy?<\/strong><\/td>\nWhat does this mean?<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nJestem Amerykaninem\/Amerykank\u0105.<\/strong><\/td>\nI am American. (masculine\/feminine)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nJestem Kanadyjczykiem\/Kanadyjk\u0105.<\/strong><\/td>\nI am Canadian. (masculine\/feminine)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nPan<\/strong><\/td>\nGentleman\/Sir<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nPani<\/strong><\/td>\nLady\/Madam<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nTy<\/strong><\/td>\nYou<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nPrzepraszam<\/strong><\/td>\nExcuse me\/Sorry<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nProsz\u0119<\/strong><\/td>\nPlease<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nDzi\u0119kuj\u0119<\/strong><\/td>\nThank you<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nDo zobaczenia!<\/strong><\/td>\nSee you!<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nNa razie<\/strong><\/td>\nSee you soon<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nDo widzenia<\/strong><\/td>\nGoodbye<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
 <\/td>\nDobranoc<\/strong><\/td>\nGood night<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0Cze\u015b\u0107<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Hi\/Bye (informal)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n