Polish · Greetings & Essentials
"Hello" in Polish: dzień dobry
dzień dobry
Note: Dzień dobry is polite; cześć is informal.
Hello in Polish is dzień dobry in a polite daytime greeting. Cześć is an informal hi or bye; dobry wieczór means good evening.
A simple sentence
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How to pronounce dzień dobry
Say it
jen DOH-brih
/d͡ʑɛɲ ˈdɔ.brɨ/
Dzień starts with a soft dź sound and ends in soft ń. Dobry stresses its first syllable; y is not English ee.
"Hello" in Polish: quick reference
| Polish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| dzień dobry | hello / good day Polite daytime greeting. | Polite daytime greeting. |
| cześć | hi / bye Informal greeting or farewell. | Informal greeting or farewell. |
| dobry wieczór | good evening Polite evening greeting. | Polite evening greeting. |
How to use dzień dobry in real life
- 1A simple sentence
Dzień dobry, pani Anno.
Hello, Ms Anna.
Polite address can use pani plus a first name in the vocative.
- 2An everyday situation
Dzień dobry, czy mówi pan po angielsku?
Hello, do you speak English?
Pan with a third-person verb addresses a man politely.
- 3A useful question
Dzień dobry wszystkim.
Hello, everyone.
Wszystkim addresses the whole group.
Mistakes English speakers make with dzień dobry
Incorrect: Dobry dzień!
Correct: Dzień dobry!
The ordinary greeting has the order dzień dobry; reversing it sounds like a description of a good day.
Incorrect: Dzien dobry.
Correct: Dzień dobry.
The ń is part of the correct spelling and marks a soft consonant.
Good to know
Use dzień dobry in shops, offices, and first encounters. Cześć fits a relationship where informal address is already comfortable; follow the other person’s register.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Meet someone at a class
Partner
Dzień dobry. Jak ma pani na imię?
Hello. What is your name?
You
Dzień dobry. Mam na imię Anna.
Hello. My name is Anna.
Partner
Miło mi panią poznać.
Nice to meet you.
You
Mnie również.
Likewise.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Hello" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Hello" in Polish
Is dzień dobry formal?
It is a polite everyday greeting, suitable for adults you do not know well.
When can I say cześć?
Use cześć with friends, peers, and people with whom informal address is appropriate.
How do I greet someone in the evening?
Dobry wieczór means good evening.
Does cześć also mean goodbye?
Yes. Informal cześć can mean hello or goodbye, depending on the moment.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
