The Focus Of This Lesson Is Self-introduction

Dzień dobry, Monika Mackiewicz, miło mi pana poznać.
"Good morning, Monika Mackiewicz. Nice to meet you."

In this lesson, we will learn:

1. Self-introduction

2. Offering things

Self-introduction

First we will take a look at a self-introduction in a business setting. Even though it is not very much different than the self-introduction you may know, it still has some characteristic expressions. One of the most important things is stating the company you work for, like in the dialogue:

1. Adam Kozłowski z KomeCo.
   "Adam Kozlowski from KomeCo."

Note that here our Adam introduces himself shortly to the secretary to let her know who he is. Moreover, when Monika meets Adam, she adds:

1. Miło mi pana poznać.
   "It's nice to meet you (sir)."

and he replies:

1. Cała przyjemność po mojej stronie.
   "The pleasure is all mine."

Both of these phrase are quite formal and would be omitted in informal settings, or changed to a simple cześć, "hi."

Here is a list of the expressions you will need for a formal self-introduction.

Note that a lot of resources will teach you phrases like nazywam się... "my name is..." (lit. "I'm called...") and jestem .... "I am..." but both of these are not really used in conversation, especially in the business setting. You will usually just say "Hello" (like dzień dobry) and then say your name right away. You can also say Witam "Welcome" if the meeting is happening at your company or your business partner has just arrived in your country.

Offering things

One of the most important things to remember when offering things in business conversations is always using pan "sir" or pani "ma'am", which we sometimes translate into English as just "you."

The main two things you can offer to your guest in your office are drinks and general help. Here are some phrases which you can use in a business setting.

1. (Czy) Czegoś się pan / pani napije?
   "Would you like something to drink (sir / ma'am)?"

Note: You can omit the question particle czy.

1. (Czy) napije się pan / pani kawy albo herbaty?
   "Would you (sir / ma'am) like coffee or tea?"

Note: Giving choices can be easily done by using albo, "or."

1. (Czy) Życzy pan / pani sobie czegoś?
   "Would you (sir / ma'am) like something?"

Note: Życzyć sobie, "to wish for," is a great verb to ask if someone needs something.

1. (Czy) Czegoś pan / pani potrzebuje?
   "Do you (sir / ma'am) need something?"
2. (Czy) Mogę w czymś panu / pani pomóc?
   "Can I help you (sir / ma'am) somehow?"

Note: pan / pani changes here to panu / pani because of the verb pomóc, "to help," which requires dative case.

Now here are some ways you may accept or politely decline an offer like that:

1. Nie, dziękuję.
   "No, thank you."
2. Bardzo chętnie, kawy.
   "With pleasure, coffee."

Examples from the dialogue:

1. Adam Kozłowki, cała przyjemność po mojej stronie.
   "Adam Kozlowski, the pleasure is all mine."

Sample Sentences

1. W czym mogę panu pomóc?
   "How can I help you, sir."
2. Czy napije się pani kawy?
   "Would you like some coffee ma'am?"
3. Bardzo miło mi pana wreszcie poznać.
   "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
4. Marzena Kowal, miło mi pana poznać.
   "Marzena Kowal, it's nice to meet you sir."
5. Marek Dostojewski, bardzo mi miło.
   "Marek Dostojewski, it's a pleasure."

Jestem umówiony z ...
"I have an appointment with"

Jestem means "I am" and it can be used by both men and women. Umówiony means "to be appointed" or "to be prearranged" and it is here in the masculine form. A feminine form would be umówiona.

This phrase is used when we want to say that we have an appointment arranged with someone, either in a business context or at a doctors office. It can be used anywhere, but it is slightly formal so we would never use it with friends.

For example:

1. Jestem umówiony z panem Kowolik.
   "I have an appointment with Mr. Kowolik."

Proszę chwilę poczekać.
"Wait a moment, please."

The first word - proszę - means "please" or "here you go". Chwila, is a noun meaning "a moment" and poczekać is a verb meaning "to wait." Note that it differs from just czekać, which also means "to wait" when we don't have to wait too long.

It is a nice phrase to use when we want to ask our guest to wait for a moment. It is slightly formal, so it's better not to use it with friends.

For example:

1. Proszę chwilę poczekać. Zawołam panią Czerkowską.
   "Wait a moment please. I will call Ms. Czerkowska."

Addressing people in a formal way

In Poland, we tend to be more formal than in English speaking countries. Therefore "you" (or ty in Polish) is reserved only for closer relationships. When we talk to somebody in a formal setting, we will usually address them with pan ("Mr." or "sir") or pani ("Ms." or "ma'am"). We will also write those two with capital letters in correspondence.