Getting around
Tramwaj
Dokąd?
Where to?
You hear this when the doors close or the next stop is called. It is written down too, so a missed word does not end the ride.
Warsaw
Poland
Warsaw is the capital of Poland. The old town was rebuilt after the war, and the river runs along the east side.
How the language is used
Polish is the language of the tram, the shop, and the city office.
In this city
- Language
- Polish
- Also heard
- Mostly Polish
- A local word
- Dziękuję — Thank you.
- Writing
- the Latin alphabet
What people say
Ordinary lines from this city: the ride, the counter, the food, and the greeting.
The counter
Kawiarnia
Jedną kawę, proszę.
One coffee, please.
This line is a whole order. You do not need a longer sentence.
Food
Sklep
Ile to kosztuje?
How much is it?
The order is built in short pieces like this one.
The street
Ulica
Dziękuję.
Thank you.
People keep this line short. It is enough for the moment.
The language through the day
Polish is the language of the ride, the shop, and the street.
A first day in Warsaw can run on four lines: “Dokąd?”, “Jedną kawę, proszę.”, “Ile to kosztuje?”, and “Dziękuję.”. Each one is already a complete moment.
If you are new here
- Stops, prices, and shop signs are written in the Latin alphabet.
- One everyday you-form covers most shops. Please and thanks do the polite work.
- If a spoken line goes past you, read the screen or the board. In Warsaw, the stop and the price are written down.
One local word: Dziękuję. It means Thank you..
Places you can see
- Old Town — The rebuilt square and the painted houses around it.
- Palace of Culture — The tall block in the centre, visible from a long way off.
- Vistula — The river along the east side, with a path on the bank.
Food
Pierogi are the ordinary plate. You order them in Polish.
Getting around
Trams and the metro cross the centre. Announcements are in Polish.
Daily life
A short question in Polish gets you through a shop.
A few everyday phrases
Polish
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cześć | Hello |
| Dziękuję | Thank you |
| Dzień dobry | Good morning |
| Nazywam się… | My name is… |
