Polish · Real conversations
Expressing preferences: Polish conversation practice
Explain what you would enjoy and make a joint choice. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A friend deciding what to do or eat together.
Goal: Explain what you would enjoy and make a joint choice.
Read the conversation
Partner
Masz ochotę pójść gdzie indziej?
Show English translation
Would you like to go somewhere else?
You
Wolałbym/Wolałabym zostać tutaj.
Show English translation
I'd rather stay here.
Partner
To zostańmy. Czego się napijesz?
Show English translation
Let's stay, then. What would you like to drink?
You
Mam ochotę na kawę.
Show English translation
I'm in the mood for coffee.
Partner
Mają mocną kawę i łagodniejszą.
Show English translation
They have a strong coffee and a milder one.
You
Obie opcje mi pasują.
Show English translation
Either is fine with me.
Partner
Dobrze. W menu jest też pikantna przekąska.
Show English translation
Fine. There's also a spicy snack on the menu.
You
Nie przepadam za pikantnym jedzeniem.
Show English translation
I'm not very keen on spicy food.
Partner
Możemy wybrać coś łagodnego. Lubię tu przychodzić.
Show English translation
We can choose something mild. I like coming here.
You
Co ci się podoba w tym miejscu?
Show English translation
What do you like about this place?
Try your part first
Partner says: Would you like to go somewhere else? Your goal: I'd rather stay here.
Reveal a sample reply
Wolałbym/Wolałabym zostać tutaj.
I'd rather stay here.
Partner says: Let's stay, then. What would you like to drink? Your goal: I'm in the mood for coffee.
Reveal a sample reply
Mam ochotę na kawę.
I'm in the mood for coffee.
Partner says: They have a strong coffee and a milder one. Your goal: Either is fine with me.
Reveal a sample reply
Obie opcje mi pasują.
Either is fine with me.
Partner says: Fine. There's also a spicy snack on the menu. Your goal: I'm not very keen on spicy food.
Reveal a sample reply
Nie przepadam za pikantnym jedzeniem.
I'm not very keen on spicy food.
Partner says: We can choose something mild. I like coming here. Your goal: What do you like about this place?
Reveal a sample reply
Co ci się podoba w tym miejscu?
What do you like about this place?
Make it your own
- Choose between two different meals.
- Explain a preference without rejecting the person.
- Let your partner make the final choice.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking Polish
Polish distinguishes familiar ty from polite pan and pani. Choose pan when addressing a man and pani when addressing a woman formally; the paired forms shown in examples are alternatives, so say one. A formal question usually uses a third-person verb, such as Czy może pan …? First-person past and conditional forms can change with the speaker’s gender.
Keep letters such as ą, ę, ł, ń, ó, ś, ź, and ż. Noun and adjective endings can change with their role in the sentence. Learn the complete expression before replacing a name, object, or time.
