Directions

1. Przepraszam, gdzie jest Rynek Główny?

   psheh-PRAH-shahm, GDZEH yest RY-nek GWOOV-ny?

   Excuse me, where is the Main Market Square?

   Usage

   Used to ask the way to Kraków's famous main square, one of Europe's largest medieval squares

   Grammar Note

   "Przepraszam" is the most common "excuse me" in Polish. It opens any request for help from a stranger

2. Skręć w lewo i idź prosto

   SKRENTCH v LEH-voh ee IDSCH PROH-stoh

   Turn left and go straight

   Usage

   Used when giving or receiving directions

   Grammar Note

   Key words: "w prawo" (right), "w lewo" (left), "prosto" (straight), "za rogiem" (around the corner)

3. Jak dojechać na Wawel?

   yak doh-YEH-hach nah VAH-vel?

   How do I get to Wawel Castle?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to get to Wawel Castle, Kraków's most iconic landmark

   Grammar Note

   "Dojechać" (travel by vehicle) vs "dojść" (walk). "Jak dojść na ~?" asks for walking directions

4. Który autobus jedzie do centrum?

   KTOO-ri ow-TOH-boos YEH-dzye doh TSEN-troom?

   Which bus goes to the city centre?

   Usage

   Used to find the correct bus to get to the city centre

   Grammar Note

   Replace "autobus" with "tramwaj" (tram), "metro" (subway), or "pociąg" (train). Warsaw has 2 metro lines

5. Jak daleko jest do Auschwitz?

   yak dah-LEH-koh yest doh OW-shveets?

   How far is it to Auschwitz?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the distance to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial from Kraków

   Grammar Note

   Auschwitz is about 70km from Kraków. The Polish name is "Oświęcim". Shuttle buses and tours run daily from Kraków

6. Czy może pan/pani to pokazać na mapie?

   chi MOH-zheh pan/PAH-nee toh poh-KAH-zahch nah MAH-pyeh?

   Could you show me on the map?

   Usage

   Used when verbal directions are hard to follow — asks someone to point on a map

   Grammar Note

   "Mapie" is the locative of "mapa" (map). Very effective when you show your phone's map app at the same time

7. Gdzie jest przystanek tramwajowy?

   GDZEH yest pshi-STAH-nek tram-vah-YOH-vy?

   Where is the tram stop?

   Usage

   Used in Kraków or Warsaw to find a tram stop

   Grammar Note

   "Przystanek ~" works for all stops: "autobusowy" (bus), "tramwajowy" (tram), "kolejowy" (railway)

8. To jest blisko stąd?

   toh yest BLEE-skoh stond?

   Is it close from here?

   Usage

   Short phrase to check if the destination is within walking distance

   Grammar Note

   "Blisko" (close) vs "daleko" (far). "To jest daleko stąd?" (Is it far from here?) is equally useful

9. Jak dojść na Stare Miasto w Warszawie?

   yak DOYSHCH nah STAH-reh MYAH-stoh v vahr-SHAH-vyeh?

   How do I walk to the Old Town in Warsaw?

   Usage

   Used to ask for walking directions to Warsaw's UNESCO-listed Old Town

   Grammar Note

   Warsaw's Old Town was destroyed in WWII and meticulously rebuilt — it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site

10. Zgubiłem się / Zgubiłam się

    zgoo-BEE-wem shyeh / zgoo-BEE-wahm shyeh

    I am lost

    Usage

    Used to indicate you are lost and need help. "Zgubiłem" (male) or "Zgubiłam" (female)

    Grammar Note

    Polish past tense verbs agree with the speaker's gender: "-łem" for males, "-łam" for females

11. W prawo

    To the right

    Usage

    Show this in a taxi to indicate which way to go; readable at a glance while driving

    Grammar Note

    "W prawo" is the direction of travel; "po prawej (stronie)" means "on the right-hand side"

12. W lewo

    To the left

    Usage

    Show this in a taxi to indicate which way to go

    Grammar Note

    "W lewo" is the direction of travel; "po lewej (stronie)" means "on the left-hand side"

13. Prosto

    Straight ahead

    Usage

    Show this to ask the driver to keep going straight

14. Z powrotem

    Back / the way we came

    Usage

    Show this to ask to go back the way you came; "Proszę zawrócić" means "please turn around"

15. Proszę się tu zatrzymać

    Please stop here

    Usage

    Show this where you want the taxi to pull over; in a hurry, "Stop!" is understood too

    Grammar Note

    "Zatrzymać się" is the reflexive verb "to stop"; "Proszę + infinitive" is the polite request form

16. Na północ

    North

    Usage

    Use this with a map or compass; the bare noun "północ" also means "midnight", so the directional form "na północ" is the unambiguous one

17. Na południe

    South

    Usage

    Use this with a map or compass; the bare noun "południe" also means "noon", so the directional form "na południe" is the unambiguous one

18. Na wschód

    East

    Usage

    Use this with a map or compass; the bare noun "wschód" also means "sunrise", so the directional form "na wschód" is the unambiguous one

19. Na zachód

    West

    Usage

    Use this with a map or compass; the bare noun "zachód" also means "sunset", so the directional form "na zachód" is the unambiguous one

20. Hotel

    Usage

    Show this as your destination to a taxi or a passer-by; add the hotel name to be sure

21. Lotnisko

    Airport

    Usage

    Show this as your destination; road and station signs read "LOTNISKO"

22. Przystanek autobusowy

    Bus stop

    Usage

    Show this when looking for a bus stop; a tram stop is a "przystanek tramwajowy"

23. Metro

    Metro / subway

    Usage

    Show this when looking for the underground; Warsaw is the only Polish city with a metro — elsewhere urban rail is the "tramwaj" (tram) or "SKM" (suburban train)

24. Ambasada

    Embassy

    Usage

    Show this when heading to your embassy, e.g. after losing a passport; a consulate is "konsulat"

25. Bankomat

    ATM

    Usage

    Show this when looking for a cash machine; the machines themselves are labelled "BANKOMAT"

26. Kantor

    Currency exchange

    Usage

    Show this when looking for a bureau de change; signs read "KANTOR" or "KANTOR WYMIANY WALUT". Airport kantors give poor rates

27. Pralnia samoobsługowa

    Laundromat

    Usage

    Show this when looking for a self-service laundry; "pralnia" on its own is a drop-off laundry or dry cleaner

Browse all TravelPhrases languages