How to Use Basic Greetings

Learn how to use basic greetings

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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Can-Do Polish by Polishpod101.com.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use basic greetings in Polish.

For example, "Good afternoon" is

Dzień dobry.

Zuzanna Zając is the Kowalski family's Polish teacher.

Her schedule for the day is:

Karolina Kowalski at 9:00 a.m.

Kaja Kowalski at 12:00 p.m.

Konrad Kowalski at 6:00 p.m.

Before you listen to the greeting exchange between the three pairs, let's preview some of their key components.

Dzień dobry.

"good morning"

Dzień dobry.

"good afternoon"

Dzień dobry.

Dobry wieczór.

"good evening"

Dobry wieczór.

Listen to their conversations, and pay attention to the time of day.

Zuzanna Zając has a morning class with Karolina Kowalski at 9 a.m.

Dzień dobry, pani Zając.

Dzień dobry, pani Kowalski.

Later, Zuzanna Zając has an afternoon class with Kaja Kowalski at 12 p.m.

Dzień dobry.

At the end of the day, Zuzanna Zając has an evening class with Konrad Kowalski at 6 p.m.

Dobry wieczór.

Dobry wieczór, Konrad.

Once more with the English translation.

Dzień dobry, pani Zając.

"Good morning, Ms. Zając."

Dzień dobry, pani Kowalski.

"Good morning, Ms. Kowalski."

Dzień dobry.

"Good afternoon."

Dzień dobry.

"Good afternoon."

Dobry wieczór.

"Good evening."

Dobry wieczór, Konrad.

"Good evening, Konrad."

Let’s take a closer look at each of these expressions.

In the first conversation, do you remember how Karolina says,

"Good morning, Ms. Zając."

Dzień dobry, pani Zając.

First is Dzień dobry, "good morning," in this context. Dzień dobry. Dzień dobry.

Note, Dzień dobry is a useful greeting that can be used to mean "good morning," "good afternoon," or even just "hello." You can use it all day until the evening.

Next is pani, "Ms." Pani. Pani. This is a formal way to address a woman.

Finally, the teacher’s family name, Zając. Zając. Zając.. Zając.

Together, pani Zając. "Ms. Zając." Pani Zając.

All together, Dzień dobry, pani Zając. "Good morning, Ms. Zając."

Dzień dobry, pani Zając.

When including a person’s name in a greeting, it’s more common to say the person’s name after the greeting.

Note: using a person’s family name in a greeting may come across as more formal.

Do you remember the teacher 's response,

"Good morning, Ms. Kowalski."

Dzień dobry, pani Kowalski.

First is Dzień dobry, "Good morning." Dzień dobry.

Next, pani "Ms." Pani. Pani. This is a formal way to address a woman.

Finally, Karolina’s family name, Kowalski, pronounced in Polish. Kowalski. Kowalski. "Kowalski."

All together, it’s Dzień dobry, pani Kowalski. "Good morning, Ms. Kowalski."

Dzień dobry, pani Kowalski

Note, this exchange is formal.

In the second conversation, which takes place at noon, do you remember how Kaja says,

"Good afternoon."

Hint: It’s the same greeting as the one used in the morning.

Dzień dobry.

Note that Kaja’s greeting is slightly less formal, as she doesn’t say the teacher’s name.

Dzień dobry. "Good afternoon." Dzień dobry.

The teacher 's response is the same,

Dzień dobry.

This can translate as "Hello," or "Good afternoon."

Dzień dobry is a common way to greet people during the day. You can use it in formal and less formal situations.

In the third conversation, which takes place in the evening at 6pm, do you remember how Konrad says,

"Good evening."

Dobry wieczór.

Dobry wieczór. Literally, "Good evening." Dobry wieczór.

Dobry wieczór.

Dobry wieczór is a common way to greet people during the evening and at night, in both formal and less formal situations.

Do you remember the teacher's response,

"Good evening, Konrad."

Dobry wieczór, Konrad.

Dobry wieczór. "Good evening." Dobry wieczór.

Next is Konrad’s name pronounced in Polish. Konrad. Konrad. Konrad.

Together, it's Dobry wieczór, Konrad. "Good evening, Konrad."

Dobry wieczór, Konrad.

Note that the teacher addresses Konrad by his first name, as he’s younger. This makes the greeting sound more informal.

Let’s look at the greetings once more.

Listen and repeat, or speak along.

Dzień dobry.

"Good morning." or "Good afternoon."

Dzień dobry.

Dobry wieczór.

"Good evening."

Dobry wieczór.

Dobry wieczór, pani Zając.

"Good evening, Ms. Zając."

Dobry wieczór, pani Zając.

Cześć!

"Hi!"

Cześć!

Did you notice the last greeting?

Cześć!

"Hi!"

Cześć! Hi! Cześć! Cześć!

In informal situations, you can just use the greeting, cześć, "hi," at any time of the day.

Cześć is the most common greeting in Polish. However, it’s only suitable for informal situations, such as when greeting friends or relatives. It translates as "hi," or "hello," but it can also mean "good-bye." Because of this, you can use cześć both as a meeting and parting greeting.

Let's review.

Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then repeat after the native speaker, focusing on pronunciation.

Ready?

Do you remember how Karolina says,

"Good morning."

Dzień dobry.

And how Kaja says,

"Good afternoon."

Dzień dobry.

Do you remember how to say,

"Good evening."

Dobry wieczór.

Do you remember how Karolina addresses Ms. Zając?

Pani Zając.

And how Ms. Zając addresses Karolina Kowalski?

pani Kowalski.

Let's practice.

Imagine you're Konrad Kowalski , and you’re attending your morning class.

Respond by saying, "Good morning."

Ready?

Dzień dobry, Konrad.

Dzień dobry.

Listen again and repeat.

Dzień dobry.

Let’s try another.

Imagine you're Karolina Kowalski, and you’re attending your afternoon class.

Respond by saying, "Good afternoon, Ms. Zając."

Ready?

Dzień dobry, pani Kowalski.

Dzień dobry, pani Zając.

Listen again and repeat.

Dzień dobry, pani Zając.

Let’s try one more.

Imagine you're Kaja Kowalski , and you meet your neighbor in the evening. Respond by saying, "Good evening."

Ready?

Dobry wieczór.

Listen again and repeat.

Dobry wieczór.

This is the end of this lesson.

In this lesson, you learned how to use basic greetings in Polish. This plays an essential role in the larger skill of using basic greetings.

Remember, these Can Do lessons are about learning practical language skills.

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