Feelings

1. Cieszę się

   I'm glad

   Usage

   For happiness about something that just happened. "Cieszę się, że pana/panią poznałem" is the standard line on meeting someone

   Grammar Note

   The reflexive verb "cieszyć się" — not an adjective, so it does not change for gender

2. Jestem szczęśliwy

   I'm happy

   Usage

   Deeper than "cieszę się", describing a state. Polish keeps "cieszę się" for the everyday and this for happiness about a life or a relationship

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says "jestem szczęśliwa"

3. Nie mogę się doczekać

   I can't wait

   Usage

   The set phrase for looking forward to something: "nie mogę się doczekać wycieczki" — I cannot wait for the trip

4. Jestem dumny

   I'm proud

   Usage

   Works for your own achievement or as praise: "jestem z ciebie dumny"

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says "jestem dumna"

5. Co za ulga

   What a relief

   Usage

   When lost luggage turns up or a test comes back clear. A single "ulga!" also does the job

6. Jestem wdzięczny

   I'm grateful

   Usage

   Weightier than "dziękuję" — for saying what someone's help meant to you

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says "jestem wdzięczna"

7. Kocham cię

   I love you

   Usage

   A weighty phrase for a partner or family, not thrown around lightly in Poland. For liking things or activities, use "uwielbiam ..."

8. Tęsknię za tobą

   I miss you

   Usage

   For someone close; the formal version is "tęsknię za panem" or "za panią"

   Grammar Note

   "Tęsknić" takes "za" plus the instrumental case, so the noun changes form: "za domem"

9. Jest mi smutno

   I feel sad

   Usage

   Literally "it is sad to me". Polish often frames feelings impersonally, and this form has the practical advantage of not changing for gender

   Grammar Note

   An impersonal construction with the dative "mi", shared with "jest mi zimno" (I am cold) and "jest mi wstyd" (I am ashamed)

10. Jaka szkoda

    What a shame

    Usage

    The set phrase for a closed shop or a cancelled plan, and equally for sympathising with someone else's bad luck. Often shortened to just "szkoda"

11. Jestem rozczarowany

    I'm disappointed

    Usage

    A calm way to register a complaint — showing the card says enough without raising your voice

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "jestem rozczarowana"

12. Czuję się samotny

    I feel lonely

    Usage

    For the low moments of solo travel. Simply being on your own is "sam"; "samotny" carries the ache

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "czuję się samotna"

13. Tęsknię za domem

    I'm homesick

    Usage

    For missing home part-way through a long trip. The noun "tęsknota za domem" has a literary ring to it

14. Jestem zły

    I'm angry

    Usage

    "Jestem zły na ..." — angry with someone. On its own "zły" also means bad, so keep it inside the full sentence when you mean the feeling

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "jestem zła"

15. To mnie denerwuje

    That annoys me

    Usage

    For irritation at a situation — noise, a queue. It puts the thing rather than the person in the subject slot, which keeps it civil

16. Boję się

    I'm scared

    Usage

    Name the fear after it: "boję się psów" — I am afraid of dogs. Being a reflexive verb, it does not change for gender

17. Przestraszyłem się

    I got a fright

    Usage

    For a sudden shock, and it carries no blame

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "przestraszyłam się" — Polish past-tense endings mark gender

18. Martwię się

    I'm worried

    Usage

    For luggage that has not arrived or family you cannot reach: "martwię się o ..."

19. Jestem zestresowany

    I'm stressed

    Usage

    From the English "stress"; "mam stres" works too

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "jestem zestresowana"

20. Wstyd mi

    I'm ashamed

    Usage

    Use it about your own slip. Being impersonal, it does not change for gender. Aimed at someone else, a bare "wstyd!" is a sharp rebuke, so keep it self-directed

21. Jestem nieśmiały

    I'm shy

    Usage

    Describes you as a shy person by nature. Showing it when the words will not come buys you patience

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "jestem nieśmiała"

22. Nudzę się

    I'm bored

    Usage

    Uses the reflexive "nudzić się". Keep it about your own state — aimed at someone's plan it is rude

23. Jestem zmęczony

    I'm tired

    Usage

    Show it when your feet have had enough and you want to suggest a break

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "jestem zmęczona"

24. Jestem wykończony

    I'm exhausted

    Usage

    Stronger than "zmęczony" — after a long journey, or when you truly cannot walk further

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "jestem wykończona"

25. Chce mi się spać

    I'm sleepy

    Usage

    Literally "sleeping wants itself to me" — handy for jet lag. The same frame gives "chce mi się pić" (thirsty) and "chce mi się jeść" (hungry)

    Grammar Note

    An impersonal construction with the dative "mi", so it does not change for gender

26. Czuję się dobrze

    I feel well

    Usage

    The answer when someone asks how you are feeling. Being reflexive, it does not change for gender

27. Źle się czuję

    I don't feel well

    Usage

    The opening line when you feel ill. Show it at a pharmacy or clinic, then follow with the card for the part that hurts

28. Jestem zaskoczony

    I'm surprised

    Usage

    Good or bad surprise alike. For a startled fright, use "przestraszyłem się" instead

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "jestem zaskoczona"

29. Jestem zdezorientowany

    I'm confused

    Usage

    Signals that you have not followed, without blaming anyone. The simpler option is "nie rozumiem" — I do not understand

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "jestem zdezorientowana"

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