PolishPod101.com Blog

As an English speaker, you’re likely familiar with the Polish proverb: "Not my circus, not my monkeys." (Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy.)  But did you know that Polish is loaded with even more insightful (and often humorous) proverbs you may never have heard before?  Polish proverbs and sayings are a big part of the Polish culture. Like anywhere else in the world, such expressions are an important part of the spoken and written language.  In this article, you’ll learn thirty must-know Polish proverbs along with their English translations and their English equivalents (if one exists). Study them carefully, because they can significantly improve your understanding of everyday Polish. Table of Contents Warnings Animals ... Show more

Have you ever been to Warsaw? It’s the capital city of Poland and a great holiday destination.  There are so many fun and educational sites in this wonderful city, perfect for the casual traveler or the Polish learner who wants to immerse themselves in the culture. If you would like to visit Warsaw yourself and see all the best places, let this Warsaw travel guide from PolishPod101.com be your first stop!  In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know before you go and get the best recommendations for a shorter visit and a longer visit. Last but not least, you’ll learn some simple Polish phrases to help you get around the city.  Table of Contents Before You Go Visit Warsaw in 1-3 Days Visit Warsaw in 4-7 Days ... Show more

English did not become a popular language in Poland until somewhat recently, due to the country’s political situation until the late 80s. Since then, English has been slowly winning the hearts of Poles. The term we use to describe English words used in Polish, whether modified or non-modified, is anglicyzm ("anglicism"). What about Polish words in English, you may wonder? Keep reading to find out. Today, English vocabulary is ever-present in the Polish language. English terms and expressions are used particularly often in the Polish corporate world. Learning these words is an easy hack to quickly expand your Polish vocabulary and help you sound more natural when speaking Polish. Table of Contents English Words Made Polish How... Show more

There are many components that go into learning a language. Knowing the culture surrounding that language is one of them!  This brief Polish culture overview will provide you with all the information you need to get a head start, from traditional values to the country’s art and cuisine. These interesting Polish culture facts will help you better understand the country and its people, thus helping you acquire the Polish language more quickly. Let’s get started. Table of Contents Values and Beliefs Religion in Poland Family and Work Polish Art Polish Food Traditional Holidays Final Thoughts 1. Values and Beliefs Many people in Poland adhere to traditional values and family is very... Show more

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

Studying grammar is an essential part of language learning. An overview of Polish grammar basics will certainly help you understand this complicated Slavic language better. After all, it’s much easier to memorize something when you understand it.  Today, we’re going to help you familiarize yourself with the most important concepts of Polish grammar. You’ll discover special features of the Polish language that may not be present in your native language or other languages you know. If you were looking for a stepping stone to help you learn Polish grammar, you’ve found the place to be!  Table of Contents General Rules Verb Conjugation Declension Some Things Don’t Change Aspect: Perfective and Imperfective Final... Show more

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

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

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

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