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Archive for the 'Polish Culture' Category

The Best Polish Foods to Develop Your Palate

Did you know that learning Polish can help you order delicious food?  Polish food (polskie jedzenie) is really diverse and tasty, so you should definitely give it a try next time you’re in Poland. If a trip to this beautiful country isn’t an option right now, you can also visit a Polish restaurant in your area or try out the simple recipes we’ve included at the end of this article.  Discovering the tastiest Polish dishes (polskie potrawy) and experiencing them for yourself will take your language learning to a whole new level! Table of Contents Must-Try Dishes Unique Polish Food Talking About Food in Polish Easy Polish Food Recipes Final Thoughts 1. Must-Try Dishes There are many different Polish dishes,... Show more

Polish Quotes for Every Occasion

When you’re seeking life advice, where better to turn than to the words of those you respect and admire?  In today’s world, quoting famous people is more popular than ever. From the musings of our favorite celebrities and authors to the life advice from some of the world’s greatest thinkers and visionaries, there’s no shortage of wise words to reflect upon and apply to our lives. In this article, you’ll learn some of the most popular Polish quotes. We’ve included quotes that are native to Polish, as well as several quotes from other languages that have been translated into Polish.  In learning these quotes in the Polish language, you’ll gain more cultural insight into how Poles view the world, pick up on certain elements of the... Show more

Essential Business Phrases in Polish

Many people start learning Polish because they want to live and work in Poland. However, even if this is not your goal, knowing essential business phrases in Polish can help you impress your international clients and broaden your career horizons. The Polish business phrases included in this article will help you nail a job interview in Polish, interact with coworkers, and find your feet in many other business situations. Let’s boost your business Polish skills together! Table of Contents Nailing a Job Interview Interacting with Coworkers Sounding Smart in Meetings Handling Business Phone Calls and Emails Going on a Business Trip Final Thoughts 1. Nailing a Job Interview Are you preparing for a job... Show more

Ostatki in Poland: Do-Nut Miss These Carnival Festivities!

A couple of years ago, we wrote about the famous Fat Thursday in Poland. But really, Fat Thursday only makes up a fraction of a larger holiday season: Ostatki. In this article, we’ll give you a more detailed look at the end-of-Carnival festivities in Poland, from Fat Thursday to the following Fat Tuesday.  And yes, there are even more donuts involved. ;) 1. What is Ostatki? The Polish celebration of Ostatki takes place during the final few days leading up to Środa Popielcowa (Ash Wednesday), which is the beginning of Lent. Because Lent is a forty-day post (fast) for practicing Catholics, the days of Ostatki are taken advantage of as a time to overeat, indulge, and just bawić się (have fun). That said, there is no... Show more

Learn Polish: YouTube Channels to Improve Your Skills

Studying a second language can be a rewarding experience, but we know that the learning process can be downright boring at times!  Textbooks, audio lessons, and flashcards are all excellent methods for studying a language. But did you know that as you learn Polish, YouTube can be a great supplementary resource? The only problem is that if you search for Polish YouTube channels, you’re going to find a wide variety of them, each one promising to help you learn Polish in no time. But not all of them are valuable, and no one YouTube channel can replace a structured course of study. On PolishPod101.com, you can go through a tailor-made study path that will help you make fast progress by covering the most important topics. In addition... Show more

How to Say Goodbye in Polish in Every Situation

Like saying hello, saying goodbye is an important part of being polite. These are the most basic skills you need to have a conversation in any language, so it’s crucial that you acquire them early on.  In this article, we’ll tell you how to say goodbye in Polish in a variety of situations. For example, you’ll learn the best parting words for formal versus informal environments, how to see someone off at the airport, and how to end a phone conversation. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll have the perfect Polish goodbye for any situation you find yourself in. Are you ready to get your Polish up to scratch? Start with a bonus, and download the Must-Know Beginner Vocabulary PDF for FREE!(Logged-In Member Only) Table of Contents... Show more

Polish Sentence Structure: Master the Word Order in Polish

The Polish sentence structure is one of the most important things to study at the beginning of your language-learning journey. Constructing sentences in Polish is easy when you know the rules. So, are you ready to master the Polish word order? Table of Contents Polish Word Order: Overview Polish Word Order Rules: SVO Word Order with Adverbs Polish Word Order with Modifiers Check Your Understanding: Translation Exercise Final Thoughts 1. Polish Word Order: Overview  Let’s start with the basics: the Polish sentence structure for beginners.  The basic word order in Polish is the so-called SVO, which means that the subject comes first, followed by the verb and the object (if there is an object).  The word... Show more

Useful Polish Phrases: Compliments for Every Occasion

Among useful Polish phrases, compliments are particularly handy in social situations. Giving a compliment can make you feel good, and also bring joy to the lives of others. What are the best Polish compliments, though? Keep reading and you’ll learn how to compliment people in Polish in any situation. Table of Contents Complimenting Someone’s Appearance Praising Someone in Polish for Their Work Complimenting Someone on Their Skills Making Compliments Sound More Sincere What to Expect After You Give a Compliment Final Thoughts 1. Complimenting Someone’s Appearance We all compliment someone’s appearance from time to time. And yet, sometimes people may feel offended by certain remarks. The easiest way to avoid making... Show more

Celebrating International Children’s Day in Poland

Do you remember being a kid? The world was bigger, our imaginations seemed to cover more ground, and weekends, summer vacation, and holidays were the best thing ever! In Poland, International Children’s Day doesn’t mean a day away from school, but it is a day of fun and enjoyment for children across the country! In this article, you’ll learn about Polish Children’s Day celebrations, the holiday’s history, and some useful vocabulary. Let’s get started. 1. What is International Children’s Day? This holiday has roots in the United States, having started when a Massachusetts pastor gave a special sermon for and about children in 1857. However, International Children’s Day officially began in 1925 when the World Conference on... Show more

How to Express Anger Without Using Polish Swear Words

Knowing Polish swear words may come in handy in some situations, such as when you’re watching movies in Polish. Unfortunately, if you use them in real-life situations, you may offend someone or get into trouble. That’s why you won’t find a list of Polish swear words here. The real skill to acquire is learning how to express anger without using the worst Polish curses. How would an angry Polish person do that? We’ve prepared a number of useful expressions for you. Table of Contents Angry Imperatives Angry Warnings Angry Blaming Describing How You Feel How to Calm Yourself Down When You’re Angry Final Thoughts 1. Angry Imperatives It’s important to have a good understanding of what’s socially acceptable in Poland. In... Show more