Slang

1. Spoko

   Cool / No problem

   Usage

   A clipped "spokojnie", calmly — the all-purpose yes and the all-purpose never-mind. Understood across Poland, fine with friends and staff you have got to know; at work or with an older stranger say "w porządku"

2. No

   Yeah

   Usage

   Polish "no" is the opposite of the English word — it means yes, or "mm-hm". It trips up English speakers more than anything else here. It also builds "no właśnie" (exactly) and "no pewnie" (of course). For friends; in a formal setting say "tak". Understood across Poland

3. Siema

   Hey

   Usage

   A squeeze of "jak się masz?". Understood across Poland but strictly for friends your own age — with staff or anyone older, say "dzień dobry"

4. Nara

   See ya

   Usage

   A contraction of "na razie", see you soon. Understood across Poland but for friends your own age; in a formal setting say "do widzenia"

5. Dzięki

   Thanks

   Usage

   The casual form of "dziękuję". Understood across Poland and fine with friends and staff you know; at a counter or with someone senior, "dziękuję bardzo" is politer. Strengthen it as "dzięki wielkie"

6. Sorki

   Sorry

   Usage

   English "sorry" with a Polish diminutive ending, for a light apology. Understood across Poland but for friends — for a real inconvenience, or with anyone senior, use "przepraszam"

7. Jasne

   Sure / Of course

   Usage

   Literally "clear" — the yes of agreement and understanding. Understood across Poland and safe with staff and elders alike

8. Nie ma sprawy

   No problem

   Usage

   Literally "there is no matter" — the reply to a thank-you or an apology. Understood across Poland and rude to no one

9. Ekstra

   Great

   Usage

   Praise on its own. Understood across Poland, safe at any age, and used by young and old alike

10. Git

    All good

    Usage

    From the German "gut". A short "fine, all good". Understood across Poland but for friends your own age; at work say "dobrze"

11. Masakra

    That's insane

    Usage

    The word literally means a massacre, but in speech it is just "that's awful" or "unbelievable" — said of traffic, queues and weather. Understood across Poland, for friends your own age, and never around a real accident or disaster, where the literal weight returns

12. Kurczę

    Darn!

    Usage

    Literally "chicken". It shares its opening sound with Polish's most notorious swear word and exists precisely so you can avoid saying that one. Mild enough for children and safe in front of staff or elders. This is the version a visitor should learn — leave the original alone. Understood across Poland

13. Ogarnąć

    To sort it out

    Usage

    A workhorse verb meaning to get a grip on something and deal with it: "ogarnę to" — I will handle it. The imperative "ogarnij się" is a sharp "pull yourself together", so do not aim it at anyone. Understood across Poland, among friends and colleagues you know

14. Kombinować

    To wangle a way round it

    Usage

    Getting hold of something by ingenuity and contacts when the front door is closed — a word shaped by decades of shortages and a fixture of any conversation about Polish culture. It swings between resourceful and shifty, so aimed at what someone else did it reads as criticism. Safest about yourself. Understood across Poland

15. Impra

    Party

    Usage

    A clipped "impreza". It means a night out with friends. Understood across Poland but youth slang, so keep it for peers — a work function is an "impreza"

16. Kac

    Hangover

    Usage

    The everyday word, used as "mam kaca" — I have a hangover — with "kac gigant" for a bad one. Understood across Poland and fine with friends and colleagues, though best not raised with an older stranger

17. Beka

    A right laugh

    Usage

    Used as "ale beka!" — what a laugh. Standard among young Poles everywhere. Note that "beka z kogoś" means laughing at someone, so do not point it at a person. For friends your own age

18. Ziomek

    Mate / Buddy

    Usage

    Originally someone from your own region, now a close friend, often clipped to "ziom". Understood across Poland but used between close male friends of the same age — with staff or anyone senior it is far too familiar

19. Stary

    Dude

    Usage

    Literally "old one", used by young people as a vocative. Understood across Poland but only with close friends your own age — with staff or anyone older it is seriously rude. In another context the same word means "my old man"

20. Lecimy!

    Let's go!

    Usage

    Literally "we're flying" — the casual "right, let's go, let's get on with it". Understood across Poland. For friends and travel companions; at work say "idziemy"

21. Trzymaj się

    Take care

    Usage

    Literally "hold yourself" — a warm parting line, also used to close a call or a message. Understood across Poland and fine with friends and anyone you have got to know; with the formal "pan/pani", "proszę o siebie dbać" is politer

Browse all TravelPhrases languages