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How to say that you dont speak polish in polish?



SimmyThreads: 3
Posts: 25
Joined: Aug 4, 08 		Edited by: Simmy   Aug 6, 08, 10:34 /  #
I know there are countries (like Poland) where alot of people dont speak english. I dont speak polish, but I will start learning it at the university in Poznan soon. I just want to learn how to explain in polish that I dont speak polish and if they could please speak english to me.

I think it is kindeof rude to just assume that everyone knows how to speak english, so therefor it would be more polite to ask them in polish if they know english =)
ArcticPaulThreads: 49
Posts: 245
Joined: Apr 7, 08 		  Aug 6, 08, 10:46 /  #
Nie rozumiem po polsku (I don't understand Polish)
Nie znam język polski (I do not know the polish language)

For easy phrases you should download PIMSEURS POLISH ONE.
My friend downloaded it for me (I'm not good with computer stuff).

I'm sure someone could tell you how to get it for free as a download.
GabThreads: -
Posts: 154
Joined: Apr 10, 08 		Edited by: Gab   Aug 6, 08, 10:47 /  #
I don't speak Polish. = Nie mowie po polsku.
Do you speak English? = Mowisz po angielsku?

I'd say you will be safe in Poznan with your English only. A lot of people speak English these days. Even if it's only some English. But it's nice you want to learn some Polish :)

"Nie znam język polski" (I do not know the polish language) - incorrect.

Nie znam jezyka polskiego = I don't know Polish
Short: Nie znam polskiego
CatzThreads: -
Posts: 10
Joined: May 6, 08 		Edited by: Catz   Aug 6, 08, 10:51 /  #
I know how you feel. I always feel awkward when I'm in a foreign country (like this summer in Netherlands) and talk to someone who's speaking Dutch in English or German.

so:
I'm sorry. - Przykro mi.
I don't speak Polish. - Nie mówię po polsku.

Could we talk in English? - Czy moglibyśmy rozmawiać po angielsku?
Could you speak English? - Czy mógłbyś mówić po angielsku? (to a person you're friendly with) Czy mógłby Pan mówić po angielsku? (formal, to a man) Czy mogłaby Pani mówić po angielsku? (formal, to a woman) Czy moglibyście mówić po angielsku? (to a group of people)

To make the impossible simple:
Przykro mi, nie mówię po polsku, czy moglibyśmy rozmawiać po angielsku?

ArcticPaul:
Nie znam język polski

Hey, have you forgotten the Genitive case?

To jest język polski. (this is the polish language)
Nie znam języka polskiego. (i don't know the polish language)
DiceThreads: 20
Posts: 677
Joined: Nov 27, 07 		  Aug 6, 08, 10:54 /  #
I don't speak Polish. = Nie mowie po polsku. - (nee-ah moo-vee-ah po polskoo)
SimmyThreads: 3
Posts: 25
Joined: Aug 4, 08 		  Aug 6, 08, 11:00 /  #
Thanks alot =)
I will be sure to try to finde that program!
GabThreads: -
Posts: 154
Joined: Apr 10, 08 		  Aug 6, 08, 11:01 /  #
Hi all,

I've seen many times foreigners with Polish phrases and expressions written down on sheets of paper, you know, survival Polish, and I think it's a great idea!

Also, cities like Poznan, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow, they all have tourist info centers. If you ever get lost or confused or whatever, just contact them. If you need a hotel or a room to rent, or if you have any questions, they will help you out :) And they are normally located in the heart of the city, usually old town square etc. Don't forget about emergency numbers! Better to be safe that sorry :)
SimmyThreads: 3
Posts: 25
Joined: Aug 4, 08 		  Aug 6, 08, 11:06 /  #
Thanks to everyone else thar replied too =D
MarekThreads: 4
Posts: 1,120
Joined: Feb 15, 07 		  Aug 6, 08, 13:18 /  #
Czy Pan(i)/Państwo mówi(ą) po angielsku? Nie mówię po polsku!

This would cover most bases in formal situations only, of course-:)
loco polacoThreads: 3
Posts: 421
Joined: Aug 5, 08 		  Aug 6, 08, 13:22 /  #
ArcticPaul:

Nie znam język polski

języka polskiego or polskiego języka
ArcticPaulThreads: 49
Posts: 245
Joined: Apr 7, 08 		Edited by: ArcticPaul   Aug 8, 08, 10:35 /  #
[quote=loco polaco]


ArcticPaul:
Nie znam język polski

języka polskiego or polskiego języka


Please explain this post.
HelenaWojtczakThreads: 31
Posts: 156
Joined: Aug 5, 08 		Edited by: HelenaWojtczak   Aug 9, 08, 00:44 /  #
"Do you speak English? = Mowisz po angielsku?"

This is rather redundant, surely?

Because if the person addressed DOES speak English, they will understand when you say "Do you speak English"!

It would therefore be better to learn how to say

"Could you bring me someone who speaks English".
melanieebbyThreads: 1
Posts: 13
Joined: Jul 30, 08 		  Aug 9, 08, 01:19 /  #
HelenaWojtczak:

Because if the person addressed DOES speak English, they will understand when you say "Do you speak English"!

haha this is so true!
Have a great time in Poznan! (:
craic_monsterThreads: 3
Posts: 57
Joined: Jul 19, 08 		  Aug 14, 08, 21:08 /  #
Even if your Polish is rubbish, make sure you use it.

Catz:

To jest język polski. (this is the polish language)
Nie znam języka polskiego. (i don't know the polish language)


Catz is right, but that's hardcore Polishl At least for a learner. I think the second sentence is in the genitive, while the first is in the nominative.

So, Polish is complicated but English is easy? What about the dipthongs and incredibly complex tenses.

Polish is the reverse.

I don't think Polish has complex dipthongs and tenses/moods but the complexity lies in the noun and adjective. I stand (willingly) to be corrected...and I'm sure there will be many who can do accordingly.

Anyway, just use the Polish you know. Even if it is a matter of life and death nobody will care that you used the locative when you should have used the instrumental.
GabThreads: -
Posts: 154
Joined: Apr 10, 08 		  Aug 14, 08, 23:50 /  #
Hi,

I've tried to teach a few of my American friends SOME Polish.... Ain't gonna happen :)
They were unable to understand both the use of cases in Polish and the reason why we even have that.

In Polish certain things are interrelated like 3 genders, cases, plural/singular, moods and inflectional endings that go with it, unfortunately. We have a declination of nouns, pronouns, numerals. We conjugate every single verb depending on singular/plural, tense, mood.
Hence the complexity of verb endings, noun endings and so on.

We do not use definite/indefinite articles though, so that's a relief I guess :)

Bottom line, Polish is a very challenging language to acquire, but some people do it! I actually give them a lot of credit for that.

When I had to take 2 years of Latin in college, I just couldn't do it. And all the things that I mentioned above were so extremely difficult for me in Latin. I guess in Polish I use it without even thinking about, in Latin not so much. Isn't it kind of funny? I passed my exams, but not with flying colors :) In Latin, that is.

G.
RishabhThreads: -
Posts: 10
Joined: Aug 14, 08 		  Aug 16, 08, 13:01 /  #
Czesc!
That surely is one of the first lines to learn when arriving at Poland :) One question -
"Nie mowie po polsku." - is this written phonetically?
DiceThreads: 20
Posts: 677
Joined: Nov 27, 07 		Edited by: Dice   Aug 16, 08, 13:06 /  #
I don't speak Polish. = Nie mowie po polsku. - (nee-ah moo-vee-ah poh pol-scoo)
RishabhThreads: -
Posts: 10
Joined: Aug 14, 08 		  Aug 16, 08, 13:13 /  #
^^ Never imgined anyone would reply with such a precise pronunciation! Thanks a lot Dice! :)
Makes one think - is there a Website which can provide such a tool? Like, type in a text, and it throws back how it is said?
MichalThreads: -
Posts: 2,408
Joined: Feb 27, 07 		  Aug 17, 08, 10:24 /  #
Simmy:

plain in polish that I dont speak polish and if they could please speak english to me.

Bardzo przykro mi, ale nie mówię po polsku. Czy pan/pani umie powtórzyć po angielsku?
polishgirltx   Aug 17, 08, 10:44 /  #
Michal:

they could please speak english to me.

Michal:

Czy pan/pani umie powtórzyć po angielsku?

and how did you come out with that??

Michal your are back with your rubbish translations....you made my day!
sausageThreads: 25
Posts: 1,053
Joined: Sep 21, 07 		  Aug 17, 08, 10:45 /  #
polishgirltx:

Michal your are back with your rubbish translations

Not to mention being 10 days too late :)
polishgirltx   Aug 17, 08, 11:04 /  #
sausage:

Not to mention being 10 days too late :)


do you mean he needs to get a pregnancy test? hehe...
sorry, this thought just popped out in my head ;)
sausageThreads: 25
Posts: 1,053
Joined: Sep 21, 07 		  Aug 17, 08, 11:06 /  #
polishgirltx:

do you mean he needs to get a pregnancy test

No, just late, period...
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