Polish · Real conversations
Cafés: useful Polish phrases
Order a drink and clarify a small detail.
Start with the essentials
Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.
- A coffee, please
poproszę kawę
A coffee, please
- To go, please (takeaway)
na wynos
To go, please (takeaway)
- Water
woda
Water
- No, thank you
nie, dziękuję
No, thank you
Make the conversation more specific
| What you want to say | Polish |
|---|---|
| A coffee, please | poproszę kawę A coffee, please |
| To go, please (takeaway) | na wynos To go, please (takeaway) |
| Water | woda Water |
| No, thank you | nie, dziękuję No, thank you |
| Could I have it without ...? | Czy mogę dostać to bez …? Show English translationCould I have it without …? |
| Is this for here or to take away? | Na miejscu czy na wynos? Show English translationIs this for here or to take away? |
| Could you make it decaf? | Czy może być bezkofeinowa? Show English translationCould you make it decaf? |
| Can I have tap water? | Czy mogę prosić o wodę z kranu? Show English translationCan I have tap water? |
| Is service included? | Czy obsługa jest wliczona? Show English translationIs service included? |
Read the other side of the exchange
Partner
Co dodać do kawy?
What would you like in your coffee?
You
Czy mogę prosić bez cukru?
Could I have it without sugar?
Partner
Na miejscu czy na wynos?
Is this for here or to take away?
You
Na wynos, proszę.
To take away, please.
Cafés 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.
