Polish · Real conversations
Repairing a conversation: useful Polish phrases
Check a meaning and leave with something you can use.
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.
- I don't understand
nie rozumiem
I don't understand
- Can you repeat that, please?
proszę powtórzyć
Can you repeat that, please?
- More slowly, please
proszę mówić wolniej
More slowly, please
- I have a question
mam pytanie
I have a question
Make the conversation more specific
| What you want to say | Polish |
|---|---|
| I don't understand | nie rozumiem I don't understand |
| Can you repeat that, please? | proszę powtórzyć Can you repeat that, please? |
| More slowly, please | proszę mówić wolniej More slowly, please |
| I have a question | mam pytanie I have a question |
| Could you write it down? | Czy może pan/pani to zapisać? Show English translationCould you write it down? |
| Could you give me an example? | Czy może pan/pani podać przykład? Show English translationCould you give me an example? |
| Do you mean ...? | Czy ma pan/pani na myśli …? Show English translationDo you mean …? |
| Let me check that I understood. | Sprawdzę, czy dobrze rozumiem. Show English translationLet me check that I understood. |
| Is this the right word? | Czy to właściwe słowo? Show English translationIs this the right word? |
Read the other side of the exchange
Partner
To imię trochę trudno zapisać.
The name is a little difficult to spell.
You
Czy może pan/pani to zapisać?
Could you write it down?
Partner
Oczywiście. To słowo opisuje regularną czynność.
Of course. This word describes a regular action.
You
Czy może pan/pani podać przykład?
Could you give me an example?
Repairing a conversation 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.
