Polish · Real conversations
Restaurant problems: Polish conversation practice
Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill. 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 diner speaking politely to restaurant staff.
Goal: Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill.
Read the conversation
Partner
Oto pana / pani danie z kurczakiem.
Show English translation
Here is your chicken dish.
You
To nie jest to, co zamówiłem / zamówiłam.
Show English translation
This isn't what I ordered.
Partner
Przepraszam. Sprawdzę zamówienie. Czy chcą już państwo wybrać deser?
Show English translation
I'm sorry. I'll check your order. Are you ready to choose dessert?
You
Czy możemy prosić o jeszcze kilka minut?
Show English translation
Could we have a few more minutes?
Partner
Oczywiście. Jak chcą państwo zapłacić?
Show English translation
Of course. How would you like to pay?
You
Czy możemy zapłacić osobno?
Show English translation
Could we have separate bills?
Partner
Oczywiście. Czy wszystko inne już podano?
Show English translation
Certainly. Has everything else arrived?
You
Jeszcze nie dostaliśmy naszych napojów.
Show English translation
We haven't received our drinks yet.
Partner
Zaraz je przyniosę. Oto państwa rachunki.
Show English translation
I'll bring them now. Here are your bills.
You
Chyba jest błąd na rachunku.
Show English translation
I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Try your part first
Partner says: Here is your chicken dish. Your goal: This isn't what I ordered.
Reveal a sample reply
To nie jest to, co zamówiłem / zamówiłam.
This isn't what I ordered.
Partner says: I'm sorry. I'll check your order. Are you ready to choose dessert? Your goal: Could we have a few more minutes?
Reveal a sample reply
Czy możemy prosić o jeszcze kilka minut?
Could we have a few more minutes?
Partner says: Of course. How would you like to pay? Your goal: Could we have separate bills?
Reveal a sample reply
Czy możemy zapłacić osobno?
Could we have separate bills?
Partner says: Certainly. Has everything else arrived? Your goal: We haven't received our drinks yet.
Reveal a sample reply
Jeszcze nie dostaliśmy naszych napojów.
We haven't received our drinks yet.
Partner says: I'll bring them now. Here are your bills. Your goal: I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Reveal a sample reply
Chyba jest błąd na rachunku.
I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Make it your own
- A different dish is missing.
- Ask for a shared bill.
- Explain a different bill error.
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.
