Language/Polish/Vocabulary/Introducing-Yourself
As a Polish language teacher, I have been teaching Polish for over 20 years, and I know that starting to learn a new language can be daunting. But don't worry! In this lesson, you will learn how to introduce yourself in Polish, including sharing your name, age, and where you come from. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to make a great first impression and start a conversation with a person in Polish.
Basic Phrases
To begin with, let's start with some basic phrases that are used in introductions:
- Cześć - Hi
- Dzień dobry - Good morning/afternoon (before noon)
- Dobry wieczór - Good evening (after noon)
- Jak się masz? - How are you?
Introducing Yourself
Now, let's move on to the most important part of introductions - introducing yourself. In Polish, to introduce yourself, you use the phrase:
- Nazywam się... (My name is...)
So, if you want to introduce yourself in Polish, you can use this phrase followed by your name. For example:
- Nazywam się Magda. My name is Magda.
If you want to be more polite, you can also use the phrase:
- Bardzo mi miło. (Nice to meet you.)
So, a more complete example of an introduction in Polish could be:
- Nazywam się Magda. Bardzo mi miło. (My name is Magda. Nice to meet you.)
It's also common to include some additional information about yourself, such as age, occupation, or where you come from. Here are some examples:
- Mam 30 lat. (I am 30 years old.)
- Jestem nauczycielem. (I am a teacher.)
- Pochodzę z Polski. (I come from Poland.)
To use these examples in introductions, just add them after "Nazywam się..." and "Bardzo mi miło." Here's an example:
- Nazywam się Magda, mam 30 lat i jestem nauczycielem. Bardzo mi miło. (My name is Magda, I am 30 years old and I am a teacher. Nice to meet you.)
Cultural Insight
In Poland, it's customary to shake hands when introducing yourself. Men usually shake hands with both men and women, while women usually kiss cheeks when meeting each other or when greeting men. It's also common to use titles such as Pan (Mr.) and Pani (Mrs. or Ms.) when addressing someone you don't know well.
Furthermore, Polish people often ask where you come from or where you live, as this information is important for building relationships. Be prepared to answer this question and ask about the other person's hometown.
Vocabulary
Here's a list of vocabulary words and phrases that will be useful when introducing yourself:
| Polish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cześć | [tʂɛɕtɕ] | Hi |
| Dzień dobry | [dʑɛɲˈdɔbrɨ] | Good morning/afternoon |
| Dobry wieczór | [ˈdɔbrɨ ˈvjɛt͡ʂur] | Good evening |
| Jak się masz? | [jak ɕɛ masʲ] | How are you? |
| Nazywam się... | [naˈzɨvam ɕɛ] | My name is... |
| Bardzo mi miło. | [ˈbardzɔ mi ˈmiwɔ] | Nice to meet you. |
| Mam... lat. | [mam... lat] | I am... years old. |
| Jestem... | [ˈjɛstɛm] | I am... |
| Pochodzę z... | [pɔˈxɔdʑɛ ʐ] | I come from... |
Practice
Now that you've learned how to introduce yourself in Polish, it's time to practice. Here are some exercises to get you started:
1. Practice introducing yourself in front of a mirror. Make sure to include your name, age, and where you come from.
2. Try to strike up a conversation with a Polish-speaking friend or colleague. Use the phrases and vocabulary words you learned in this lesson, and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
3. Watch Polish movies or TV shows, paying attention to how characters introduce themselves and greet each other.
Conclusion
In this lesson, you learned how to introduce yourself in Polish, including sharing your name, age, and where you come from. Remember to shake hands and use titles like Pan and Pani when meeting new people. Keep practicing, and you'll be able to make a great first impression in Polish in no time!