If you want to greet your Polish friends or loved ones like a local, forget sticking to just "Cześć." Here's how to say hello in Polish in 15 different ways so you can sound like a native speaker.
Whether you're diving into Polish lessons or just picking it up from your partner, family, or friends, chances are the first word you've learned is "cześć." And if that's the case, you might have thought, “Wow, if this is how you say hello in Polish, how hard must the language be?!”
And you're right - cześć is not a very easy word for foreigners to pronounce. It is, indeed, the most common way to say hello in Polish, but it's not the only one. If you want to greet your Polish friends or loved ones like a local, forget sticking to just “Cześć.”
Here's how to say hello in Polish in 15 different ways to sound like a native speaker.
Formal Polish Greetings
Polish people are very polite, especially with strangers. When engaging in a conversation or meeting someone for the first time, it's crucial to use proper formal greetings to set a respectful tone.
Whether you're stepping into a business meeting, entering a shop, or attending a formal event, the formal ways to say hello in Polish below are your keys to making a respectful and polite impression in any formal (or not entirely informal) Polish-speaking setting.
Here are the main Polish greetings appropriate for any formal setting.
1. Dzień dobry (Good morning)
This is the Polish equivalent of "Good morning" and “Good afternoon.” Translated literally, it simply means “Good day” and is perhaps the most common formal greeting you'll hear. Used from morning until early evening, it's the perfect way to politely greet someone you don't know well, like a shopkeeper, a new colleague, or an elder.
2. Dobry wieczór (Good evening)
When the day turns into night, "Dzień dobry" transforms into "Dobry wieczór," meaning "Good evening." This is your go-to phrase when meeting someone formally in the evening, whether it's at a dinner, a late meeting, or a more formal night event.
3. Witam (Greetings)
"Witam" is a greeting expression often used by Polish people in formal correspondence, such as company emails. Translated literally, it means "I welcome you," but it's used more in the context of "I'm greeting you." You'd usually use "Witam" in a professional setting, like when addressing a customer.
4. Witam serdecznie (Warm greetings)
This means "I warmly welcome you" or "Greetings." It's a notch up in warmth and politeness from "Witam" and is often used in formal letters, speeches, or when meeting someone important for the first time. It shows respect and genuine happiness to meet or welcome the person.
5. Witaj (Greetings to you)
"Witaj," on the other hand, means "You are welcomed" or "You're greeted." It's very similar to "Witam," except it's used in less formal situations, for example, when greeting someone you know in a polite context.
Polish Greetings for Informal Situations
If you find yourself in an informal setting, such as meeting friends or greeting people you're familiar with, you can switch to a more relaxed set of greetings.
These casual ways to say hello in Polish are perfect for everyday use, whether you're saying hi to a friend in the street, greeting your neighbors, or joining a casual get-together.
6. Cześć (Hi!)
This is the go-to casual greeting in Polish, equivalent to "Hi" or "Hello." Just like in English, it's versatile and can be used at any time of day. Whether you're greeting a friend, a family member, or someone close to your age, "Cześć" is a friendly way to say hello.
7. Hej (Hey!)
Borrowed from English and Swedish, "Hej" has become a popular and common way to say hello in Polish.
It's casual and typically used among younger people or in informal settings. It's the kind of greeting you might use when you bump into a friend or want to catch someone's attention in a friendly way.
8. Hejka (Hey!)
This is another way to say hey in Polish. It's pretty much the same as "hej," but it carries a more upbeat and cheerful vibe. You can use it with close friends and in a laid-back setting.
9. Jak tam? (How's it going?)
“Jak tam?” is the Polish equivalent of "How's it going?" Just like in English, it's a casual way to ask someone about their current state or feelings. This Polish phrase is commonly used among friends or acquaintances and is perfect for starting a conversation or checking in with someone you're comfortable with.
10. Jak się masz? (How are you?)
A bit more formal than "Jak tam?”, ”Jak się masz?" is a classic way to ask "How are you?" in an informal setting. It's one of the most common phrases used in everyday conversations among Polish people.
While it's informal, it's polite and shows that you care about the person's well-being. It's suitable for friends, family, or people you see regularly.
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Cool Ways to Say Hello in Polish
The best way to speak like a local, even with limited knowledge of the Polish language, is to learn a few slang expressions. If you're hanging out with your Polish friends, it's a good idea to be up-to-date with the contemporary Polish lingo.
Here are a few cool greetings you can use with your friend group.
11. Siema (What's up?)
A casual and cool way to say "Hi," "Siema" is a contraction of "Jak się masz?" (How are you?). It's very common among young people and carries a laid-back vibe. Use it when you want to greet someone in a friendly, upbeat manner.
12. Siemanko (What's up?)
This is a diminutive, more endearing version of "Siema." Adding "-nko" gives it a cute or playful connotation, making it perfect for greeting close friends or peers in a casual setting. It generally carries a more upbeat and playful vibe than “Siema.”
13. Elo (Hello)
Borrowed from English slang, "Elo" is a trendy way to say "Hello." It's super casual and often used by teens and young adults (and Polish rappers). It's the kind of greeting you might hear in a group of friends hanging out or at a casual meet-up.
14. Czołem
This one is a bit old-fashioned but has a cool, retro vibe. It literally means "With the forehead" and is like saying "At your service" or "I salute you." Officially, it's a greeting used in the Polish army, but it has transpired into the general culture to greet close friends.
15. Serwus
"Serwus" is a pretty old-school greeting, which is a direct borrowing from the Latin word "servus," meaning "servant." This greeting became popular in everyday language, and it even found its way into the first 20th-century dictionary of the Polish language.
Back then, it used to have a humourous character, but then it became pretty common and eventually went out of use. If used today, it's usually in a humorous context.
How to Greet Someone in Poland
Understanding the customs and etiquette of greetings in the country you're going to is key to making a good impression and respecting cultural norms.
So, whether you're heading to Poland or want to greet your Polish friends or family members the right way, you must learn the do's and don'ts of saying hi in Poland.
Kisses? Nope, Not Really
First things first, if you're thinking of going in for a cheek kiss, you might want to hold off. In Poland, people are pretty reserved, especially when meeting new people. Planting a cheek kiss on someone you just met might get a bit awkward. We hardly ever do it, even with close friends.
Shake on It
When in doubt, go for a good ol' handshake. It's the go-to move for first meetings and more formal hellos.
Fist Bump, aka Żółwik
You can go for the fist bump if you're among friends or want to keep things light and friendly. In Polish, we call it "żółwik," which literally means "little turtle" (I'm guessing it's because the fist looks like a tiny turtle). It's a fun and friendly way of greeting close friends or kids.
Pick Up the Phone with "Halo" or “Słucham”
When you're answering the phone, no matter who's calling, just say "halo." As you've already guessed, it's a direct borring from the English "hello." Another way to answer the phone in Polish is "Słucham," which translates to “I'm listening.”
It's appropriate to answer the phone with either "Halo" or "Słucham" in any situation, whether you're answering a call from your bestie or a job interviewer.
It's Time to Say Goodbye
So, there you have it. Stick to these tips, and you'll be greeting your Polish acquaintances, close friends, and family members like a native speaker in no time.
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