What the Polish?
Your guide to the Polish words and phrases in Right Angles
babcia (BOP-cha)
grandmother
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Boża (BO-zha)
God
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dupa (DU-pah)
rear end, as in "kick me in the dupa if I ever change"
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dziadek (GIA-deck)
grandfather
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"Dzień dobry" (djen-DOUGH-bray)
"Hello," "Good day"
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"Dziękuję" (djen-KOO-yeh)
"Thank you"
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grzby suszony (ZY-b sue-SHONE-nee)
A Polish creamed mushroom sauce
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"Hej Kolęda" (hey koh-LEN-dah)
A traditional Polish carol, usually sung in a group, expressing the joy and excitement of the Christmas season
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"Jak siÄ™ masz?" (yak sheh mah)
"How are you?"
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kochana (f.) / kochanie (m.) (koh-HAN-na / koh-HAN-neh)
A term of endearment, akin to "dear" or "sweetheart"
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"Lulajże Jezuniu" (LOO-lah-zheh YEH-zu-nyu)
A Polish Christmas carol written as a lullaby sung by the Blessed Mother to Baby Jesus (Listen to a recording of "Lulajże Jezuniu")
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pan (m.) / pani (f.) (PA-on / pa-NEE)
Literally, "gentleman" and "lady," used as polite forms of address
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pierniczki (pyer-NITCH-kee)
Polish gingerbread cookies
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pierogi (peh-ROH-gee)
Polish dumplings filled with potato, cheese, ground meat, or mushrooms
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śledzie (SLED-jeh)
A traditional Polish dish, often served on Christmas Eve, consisting of pickled herring and onions with sour cream or wine sauce
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"Tak" (tahk)
"Yes"
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tata (TAH-tah)
Daddy
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"Wesołych Świąt" (VAY-so-lik svee-UNT)
"Merry Christmas"
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Wigilia (ve-GEEL-lee-ah)
The Polish culture's traditional Christmas Eve supper (Learn more about Wigilia)