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Do People in Poland speak English? How good?

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はりぃ
Hello! My name is Harie and I am an expat wife in Warsaw.

When you go on a trip, you worry about whether or not you will be able to understand the language.

Is English spoken in Poland?

→I’m fine! English is spoken pretty well in Poland, about 80%.

If you are visiting a place for sightseeing, you can speak English more than 90% of the time.

In this article, we have also tried to explain where English is and is not understood in Poland, the level of English spoken by Poles, and expressions that can be used while traveling.

If you’re a tourist, almost no problem! Polish people speak English.

I don’t know if I can speak English to an old man like this.


About a year before I came to Poland.
I was frightened when I read on the Internet that “English is not spoken in Poland at all!” I was frightened to see this information on the Internet.

But, on the contrary!
When it comes to living in Warsaw, English is almost always spoken!

I’ve seen some information on the Internet that says, “English is not spoken at all except by young people!” But this is not the case in Warsaw.
Uncles and aunts can also speak well enough to communicate without being fluent.

The other day, when I asked the lady at the pharmacy for advice on hay fever medicine, she responded in normal English.

Yes, grandparents may be difficult, but since we don’t have many opportunities to talk to them, I don’t think it will be a problem.

The official language of Poland is Polish.

Polish is also said to be the most difficult language in the world.
I’m learning Polish too, but I’m not getting any better ^^;

As far as I know, very few expatriate Japanese are fluent in Polish.
Many people have seen how difficult it is and decided early on to live only in English…;

Places in Poland where English is spoken and not spoken

Ticket machines at tourist attractions are also available in English.


English is almost universally spoken in Poland! Unfortunately, however, it is not always understood in all places.

Here is a list of places I have visited where English was and was not understood.
Please refer to.

For sightseeing in Warsaw and Krakow, it is safe to assume that English is spoken in most places.

Places where English is spoken

  • tourist facilities
  • Restaurants and cafes in the city center and old town

Places where English is often spoken but sometimes not

  • station
  • super

If you don’t understand English, try speaking to someone else.
First, ask, “Do you speak English? and you’ll be on your way.
If they say you can’t talk, don’t give up, try someone else!

Places where English is not spoken and is not likely to be understood.

  • (the) market (as a concept)
  • hospital
  • government office
  • Suburban and regional stores
  • Cab driver

I have not been to all the local cities, but the more rural and suburban you go, the less English you are likely to speak.

I almost never use regular cabs because cab drivers often do not speak English, and frankly, there are a few bad drivers here and there.
We recommend car-dispatch applications such as Uber, Taxify (Bolt), and Mytaxi.
I just need to enter the destination on the app, so I don’t need to say a word.

Older, older streetcars and buses should have only Polish for announcements and station name signs.
It is safe to ride while checking your current location on Google Maps, etc.

Polish level of English

Supermarket cash register.
It says, “Wait here until you see the number of an open register.


The average Polish person’s level of English is higher than in Japan.
The situation may be different in the suburbs and rural areas, but at least in Warsaw, the English-speaking rate is definitely higher than in Tokyo.

When I go to a store and ask the clerk, “Do you speak English?” I asked.
A little. I’m not that good at it.” but I can talk normally.
In Japan, I would probably be classified as a “fluent English speaker.

However, I feel that English numbers are weak.
It is quite common to misstate or mishear amounts of money or dates.

I am not that good at English, so the simple Polish English is very easy to understand and helpful.
Since neither of us is a native speaker, they try their best to understand my slightly strange English, which makes it easier than going to an English-speaking country.

I can’t hear native English and I’m nervous ^^;
People from English-speaking countries say, “English is a universal language, right? What? You don’t speak English? (paranoid ^^;).

Some Poles who speak poor English are sometimes unsociable.
They are not angry, they are saying, “Oh no! Foreigner here! English? No, no, I can’t!” I think they are nervous and their faces are stiff.
Yes, they probably are.
I don’t feel bad thinking that ^^.

Text is in Polish only.

Train ticket machine.
Press the British flag to enter English mode.


Since Poles make up more than 90% of Poland’s population
Almost all signs and information boards in towns and train stations are Polish-only.

It may be close to Japan.

For this reason
Google Translate is a must.

It is a good idea to download it before your trip.

Many restaurants offer English menus.
Even if you don’t have it, ask the clerk and he or she will kindly tell you in English.

Ticket vending machines at train stations and self-checkout machines at supermarkets have English modes, so there is no particular difficulty.

Starting next, here are some useful Polish and English expressions you can use while traveling!

Polish & English] Useful expressions to use while traveling.

Koniec=End
It means that the parking lot ends here.


Here are some expressions you may use while traveling.
The top is in Polish and the bottom is in English.

If you just greet them in Polish, they may smile at you.
When someone from abroad says “Arigatoo gozaimasu,” it makes me a little happy, doesn’t it? Just like that.

I do not know.

Nie rozumiem. (Nie Rosmiem)
I don’t understand.

I do not speak Polish.

Nie mogę mowić po polsku. (Nie moge mwitch polsk)
I can’t speak polish.

Hello. – Hello.

Dzień dobry.
Hello.

Thank you.

Dziękuję (bardzo). (Jenküye (Balzo))
Thank you (so much).

Gas-filled water

woda gazowana
sparkling water

Water without gas

WODA NIEGAZOWANA
still water

Pay by credit card.

Kartą proszę
By card, please

Cash payment.

Gotówką proszę
By cash, please

Please give me this (pointing his finger).

Poproszę to
I’ll take this.

We eat in the restaurant.

Na miejscu
For here.

Takeaway.

Na wynos
To go(take out)

I’d like a check, please.

Rachunek, proszę. (Roughneck Proche)
Check, please.

Where is the restroom?

Gdzie jest toaleta?
Where is restroom?

I would like to buy tickets.

Leksykon kieszonkowy Windows Server 2003. (Hutse Kupic Biretu)
I want to buy ticket.

Yes, sir.

Tak
Yes.

No, sir.

Nie.
No.

summary

English is almost always spoken in tourist areas and in the center of Poland.
Travel with peace of mind ^^.

If you travel to the outskirts of the city, be aware that English will most likely not be spoken!