If you’re learning Polish, you might want to know how to say thank you. Dziękuję is not the only way to say thank you in Polish! So, here are 17 different ways to say thank you in Polish to sound like a native speaker.
Polish people are known for being extra kind and polite. Our hospitality and kindness are legendary, making visitors feel right at home. So, if you’re traveling or moving to Poland or simply want to impress your Polish friends, saying “thank you” is one of the first things you should learn (it usually is when you're learning a foreign language!)
In this article, I’ll introduce you to 17 different ways to say thank you in Polish to sound like a native speaker. Plus, I’ll also include some ways to respond to “dziękuję” so you can not only thank people but also receive thanks from them.
Basic Phrases to Say Thank You in Polish (Formal)
If you’re learning the Polish language, “thank you” is one of these must-know phrases you simply can’t do without. Whether you’re learning Polish because you’re moving to Poland for work or traveling to Warsaw for the weekend, a simple word like “dziękuję” can make all the difference in the way you communicate with the Poles.
So, for starters, here are some basic formal ways to say thank you in Polish.
Dziękuję (Thank you)
"Dziękuję" is the most common and neutral Polish phrase to say thank you. It’s used in both formal and informal settings. “Dziękuję” - although hard to pronounce - is without a doubt one of those essential Polish words you must have in your vocabulary arsenal.
Aside from thanking someone for something, you can also use “dziękuję” or “nie, dziękuję” (no, thanks) to refuse something.
Dziękuję bardzo (Thank you very much)
Of course, there’s a way to say thank you very much in the Polish language. Polish for “thank you very much” is “dziękuję bardzo” or “bardzo dziękuję.” Since Polish sentence structure isn’t fixed, it doesn’t really matter if you place “bardzo” (very) in front or after “dziękuję.”
This phrase is often used when you want to show a higher level of appreciation, such as thanking someone for a significant favor or help. We’re very polite people, so you’ll hear the Poles say it very often.
Serdecznie dziękuję (Heartfelt thanks)
"Serdecznie dziękuję" is another way to say Polish in more formal situations. It translates to "heartfelt thanks,” and it’s typically used when you want to convey your heartfelt appreciation, such as after receiving emotional support or a kind gesture.
Again, because the Polish sentence structure isn’t fixed, you can say “serdecznie dziękuję” or “dziękuję serdecznie,” and it will make no difference.
Dziękuję uprzejmie (Thank you kindly)
“Dziękuję uprzejmie” is another formal way to say thank you in Polish. You can use it as a polite expression of gratitude in less formal situations, like thanking the old lady next door for watching your cat, or in more polite settings with strangers, like when you’re getting groceries at a local store.
Dziękuję Panu/Pani (Thank you Sir/Madam)
This simple phrase is used only with people you refer to as Sir or Madame. If you live or have ever been in Poland, you know that Polish people use Pan or Pani (Sir or Madame) when addressing strangers or people they aren't so familiar with.
So, “dziękuję Panu” or “dziękuję Pani” is just a very polite way to thank someone you're still on "official" terms with.
Basic Ways to Say Thank You in Polish (Informal)
If you’re looking to learn Polish to communicate with your Polish family or friends, or because you find yourself in informal settings while you’re in Poland, knowing how to say thank you in Polish informal way is the first step to speaking like a local.
So, here are some ways to say thank you in Polish in informal situations.
Dzięki (Thanks)
"Dzięki" is a casual and commonly used way to say thanks among friends and people you’re close to. It’s the Polish equivalent of the English "thanks." You can use it like you would in English, so there's not much to explain there!
Wielkie dzięki (Big thanks)
This phrase translates to "big thanks" and is a slightly more enthusiastic version of thanks. It’s used to express greater gratitude in informal settings, such as when a friend does you a big favor.
Dzięks (slang for thanks)
"Dzięks" is a slang version of thanks that’s essentially a fun mix of the Polish word “dziękuję” and the English “thanks” (dziękuję + thanks = dzięks). It’s a playful and informal expression used among close friends and young people (teens mostly).
Dziękówa (slang for thanks)
That’s an even more “slang” way to say thanks in Polish than “dzięks.” To be honest, you won’t hear this much unless you hang out with your 15-year-old nephew who wants to sound cool or the “cool gang” from the around block.
7 Additional Ways to Say Thank You in Polish
Aside from the standard and simple ways to say thank you in Polish, you may also want to expand your expression of gratitude by adjusting it to the situation. So, here are some additional ways to say thank you in Polish in different contexts.
These are pretty self-explanatory, so I’ll just leave you a list:
Dzięki za pomoc (Thanks for your help)
Dzięki za wszystko (Thanks for everything)
Dzięki, że byłeś/byłaś (Thanks for being there)
Dzięki, że pomogłeś/pomogłaś (Thanks for helping)
Dziękuję z całego serca (Thank you from the bottom of my heart)
Dziękuję za zrozumienie (Thank you for your understanding)
Wielkie dzięki za wsparcie (Huge thanks for your support)
Dziękuję za miłe spotkanie (Thank you for the pleasant meeting)
🤓 Want to learn basic Polish expressions you must know as a foreigner? Get my FREE list HERE.
How Do You Respond to “Dziękuję”? 7 Different Ways
Knowing how to say thank you in Polish is only one side of the coin. Now, the inevitable question is, how do you respond to “dziękuję” in Polish? As very polite people, Polish speakers have many different ways of responding to whoever is thanking them for something. Here they are.
Proszę (You're welcome)
This is one of the basic Polish phrases you must know. It's the most common way to respond to "thank you" in Polish. While “proszę” has a few meanings, “you’re welcome” is one of them. You can also say “proszę bardzo” if you want to be extra polite. You’ll hear “proszę” a lot in Poland, whether you’ve just thanked the cashier in the supermarket or a Polish friend for doing you a favor.
Nie ma za co (No problem)
“Nie ma za co” is another way to respond to “dziękuję” in Polish, and it simply means “no problem.” It’s a perfect expression for those moments when you want to downplay your good deed and keep things casual, like when you hold the door open for someone or lend them a pen.
Nie ma sprawy (No problem)
This is another casual response that’s pretty much the same as "nie ma za co" (maybe just a bit more informal). Use "nie ma sprawy" when you want to convey that whatever you did was no big deal. It’s a great response when someone thanks you for giving them directions or sharing an umbrella on a rainy day.
Cała przyjemność po mojej stronie (The pleasure is mine)
Use this expression to let the other person know that you genuinely enjoyed helping them. This is perfect for situations where you want to emphasize that the pleasure was all yours, like when you’ve just hosted a fantastic dinner party or helped a friend move into a new apartment.
Z przyjemnością (With pleasure)
Short, sweet, and to the point, "Z przyjemnością" is a classy way to say "with pleasure." Use this when you want to sound polite and enthusiastic but don’t feel like saying a mouthful. Great for when you’ve done someone a favor and want to keep the positive vibes flowing, such as after helping a colleague with a project.
Jestem do usług (I'm at your service)
If you want to be super formal and a bit old-school, "jestem do usług" is the way to go. This phrase is best used when you want to let someone know that you’re always happy to help them. It’s perfect for formal situations or when you want to show a high level of respect, like thanking a client or a guest of honor at a formal event.
Ależ proszę (But of course)
For those moments when you want to sound both polite and a tad sophisticated, "Ależ proszę" is your go-to. Use it when you’ve gone out of your way to help someone and want to add a bit of charm to your response, like when assisting someone with a complicated task or making a special effort for a friend.
Now, you’re armed with various ways to respond to "dziękuję" to handle any gratitude-filled encounter in Polish. Keep these phrases handy, and you’ll navigate the Polish thank you’s and you’re welcome’s like a native Polish speaker.
Thanks for Reading!
…or “dzięki za przeczytanie”! As you can see, there are multiple ways to say “thank you” in Polish beyond the simple “dziękuję” - although it is the basis of all the other expressions.
But with these different ways to say thank you in the Polish language, you can now choose the expression that best fits the situation of gratitude you’re in. This was quite an exhaustive list! Phew!
If you'd like to learn more basic expressions in Polish that make you sound like a native speaker, check out this article on how to say “hello” in Polish in 15 different ways. And if you need to practice your Polish pronunciation, you can check out this guide to the Polish alphabet.
And follow me on Instagram, where I create (almost) daily Polish micro-lessons so you can learn Polish in under 2 minutes a day.
How to Say Thank You in Polish - FAQs
How do you say thank you in Polish phonetically?
In Polish, "thank you" is "dziękuję." Phonetically, you can say it as "jen-KOO-ye." The "dź" sounds like a soft "j" in "jungle," and "ę" is pronounced like a nasal “en.”
How to say please and thank you in Polish?
In Polish, thank you is “dziękuję” and please is “proszę," although “proszę” also has another meaning, which is “you're welcome.”
How do you pronounce "dziękuję" in Polish?
Pronouncing “dziękuję” is often quite difficult for English speakers and other Polish language learners. “dziękuję” is jEHn - koo - yeh.
What do you say after "dziękuję"?
The most common way to respond to “dziękuję” in Polish is “proszę" (you're welcome).
