PolishPod101.com Blog

Do you remember the moment you fell in love with languages? Do you desire to learn or advance in Polish quickly and effectively? Then you need a Polish tutor. A common question that first-time language-learners ask is "Where do I begin?" The answer? Guidance. For native English-speakers who want to learn Asian languages, for example, timelines provided by the U.S. Foreign Service Institute can appear discouraging. However, defeating these odds is not unheard of. If you want to beat the odds yourself, one of the best learning options is a subscription to Premium PLUS from Innovative Language. As an active Premium PLUS member of JapanesePod101.com and KoreanClass101.com myself, I have an enjoyable experience learning at an accelerated... Show more

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

What time is it in Poland right now? Depending on your time zone, you may have to add or subtract hours to find this out, because this Eastern European country is in the GMT+2 time zone.  Knowing the time in Poland allows you to be punctual for meetings and events, but to communicate effectively, you also need to know how to tell the time in Polish. Fortunately for you, we’ve prepared this resource to help you learn everything you need to know about it. Table of Contents Asking for the Time in Polish Hours in Polish Minutes in Polish Polish Clock Time: "Half" and "Quarter" General Time References Adverbs of Time Idiomatic Expressions, Proverbs, and Sayings Final Thoughts 1. Asking for the Time... Show more

Do you know your left from your right in Polish? Asking for directions can mean the difference between a heavenly day on the beach and a horrible day on your feet, hot and bothered and wondering how to even get back to the hotel. Believe me - I know! On my earlier travels, I didn’t even know simple terms like ‘go straight ahead’ or ‘go west,’ and I was always too shy to ask locals for directions. It wasn’t my ego, but rather the language barrier that held me back. I've ended up in some pretty dodgy situations for my lack of directional word skills. This never needs to happen! When traveling in , you should step out in confidence, ready to work your Polish magic and have a full day of exploring. It’s about knowing a few basic phrases and... Show more

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

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

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

For Labor Day, Poland consistently gets a whopping three-day weekend to relax, celebrate, and protest for more workers’ rights. But this holiday doesn’t resonate well with everyone! In this article, you’ll learn about Labor Day traditions and history in Poland, and pick up some useful vocabulary words along the way. Let’s get started. 1. What is Labor Day? International Labor Day is a public holiday in Poland, and is also part of the Majówka (May holidays). Because May 3 is another major holiday in the country, many people take not one day off, but at least three. In Poland, Labor Day is a day for workers to odpoczywać ("rest" ) from their normal day-to-day duties. Some people take advantage of this day to... Show more

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing's for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, "We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us." The older I get, the more I agree with him! Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person's journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you're planning to stay in for more than a quick visit, you're sure to need at least a few 'life events' phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it's generally expected that we will show up with good manners... Show more

Did you know that every minute of the day, one billion tons of rain falls on the earth? Hard to believe, considering the climate crisis! Of course, all that rain is not equally shared across the planet. So, would you mention this fascinating fact to your new acquaintance? Well, small talk about local weather is actually a great conversation-starter. Everyone cares about the weather and you’re sure to hear a few interesting opinions! Seasons can be quite unpredictable these days and nobody knows the peculiarities of a region better than the locals. PolishPod101 will equip you with all the weather vocabulary you need to plan your next adventure. The weather can even be an important discussion that influences your adventure plans. After... Show more