Language

There's no hiding it - Polish is a tough language, any early efforts at which will have you sounding like you're whispering and choking simultaneously. Many Poles, particularly the youth, speak decent English, but that's no excuse not to learn at least a few of those tongue-twisters, so we've included a brief guide at the bottom of this page to get you started, as well as audio translations of key phrases. Powodzenia!

For those who wish to get more involved, there are a host of excellent language schools in Gdansk, many of whom provide translation services, which may be necessary if you plan to stay any length of time in the Tri-City area.

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

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


Gdansk language tips

Hysterical! Stamp collection ha ha!

reviewed by Anna from United States on Jun.22.2011

just about to head to Gdansk for a month , found this site amazing ,thank you :) :)

reviewed by brenda from Ireland on May.24.2009

Zaista dobra i korisna stranica.

reviewed by Jadranko Skeja from Croatia on Mar.23.2009

It should have the translation for " Do you speak english?"

reviewed by Jason from United States on Sep.23.2008

Oops, would help if I included my email address - style2c@bigpond.com.au. I reside in Sydney, and very excited to be coming to Poland

reviewed by Nicola J Williams from Australia on Jul.14.2008

This site is awesome, so good to get all the information you need from one place. I will be visiting Gdansk in 4 weeks and hope to have enough of the language learnt to get by, any tips on speed learning Polish would help. Can anybody tell me if I will have hot days during end August and early September.

reviewed by Nicola J Williams from Australia on Jul.14.2008

hey who can help me for learn polish plssss i like this language...

reviewed by lola from Serbia on May.25.2008

i like all polish people because they are polite n kind people beside they respect the forieger

reviewed by farouk from Algeria on Apr.14.2008

The audio clips are fantastic, thanks for finally adding those. Whose sexy voice is that?

reviewed by Slip from United States on Dec.29.2007

I am American trying to move to Poland!! I went to Gdansk this summer and fell in love. I see there is another person on here trying to get a job. My polish isn't that Great yet but Im working on it... If anyone can give me a heads up on American companies in Poland. That would be Awesome.. Please e-mail me at hayalfredo@hotmail.com
Thank, Alfredo

reviewed by Alfredo from United States on Dec.10.2007

Cheers ! finally I got most of what I was looking for in your website,I'm an Egyptian just moved to Gdańsk almost 3 month ago with my polish wife, I've BA degree in English literature and still looking for a job. hope if there anyone to give me a clue where should I search.
thanx lewis.sharm@gmail.com

reviewed by A. Lewis from Egypt on Nov.22.2007

I am an American of Polish and Germanic background and plan to travel to both this year. I am trying to learn Polish through a couple of computer programs and enjoy the challenge! I've been to Germany in the past and found it wonderful. I've been looking at Poland through the internet and find it amazing! I can hardly wait to see the homeland of my forefathers! Peace be with all of you!

reviewed by alojzi szolis from United States on Apr.08.2007

Cześć Christina give me your e-mail I can teach You Polish language and You Can learn me English :) My e-mali is kuba@ast.ima.pl
love Kuba

reviewed by Kuba from Poland on Feb.21.2007

i have learned alot about Gdansk with this website!

reviewed by christina from United States on Feb.18.2007

I am really interested in polish also in gdansk I have explored your page it is so informative I will go to gdansk and learn polish so interested hope ewrything will be fine....

reviewed by gulcan aktas from Turkey on Feb.03.2007