An important step in mastering Polish is learning how to form and use more advanced Polish phrases. Of course, you can learn a lot from various sources as you read, listen to, and speak the language. However, studying a handy list of expressions is a much faster way of improving your language skills.

In this article, we’ll outline a few key categories of advanced Polish vocabulary: academic phrases, words you can use on your resume, smart phrases to use in the business world, advanced conversational phrases in Polish, and idiomatic expressions often used by native speakers. Learning all of this will help your Polish sound much more natural and enable you to make a better impression on people.

Table of Contents

1. Useful Phrases for Academic Writing
2. Power Phrases for Your Resume
3. Smart Phrases for Business Meetings
4. Advanced Idioms, Sayings, and Proverbs for Everyday Usage
5. Final Thoughts

1. Useful Phrases for Academic Writing

Are you thinking about studying in Poland? If so, you’re going to need a specific set of vocabulary in order to sound sophisticated and ace your academic/formal writing. We recommend you start by memorizing the advanced Polish phrases below. 

• Po pierwsze… Po drugie… Po trzecie (Firstly… Secondly… Thirdly)
  
  Po pierwsze to ważny temat. Po drugie mało się o nim mówi. Po trzecie to wciąż tabu w naszej kulturze.
  Firstly, it’s an important topic. Secondly, it’s not discussed enough. Thirdly, it’s still a taboo in our culture.

• Należy zwrócić uwagę, że… (It’s important to note that…)
  
  Należy zwrócić uwagę, że nie wszyscy Polacy zgadzają się z tą postawą. 
  It’s important to note that not all Polish people agree with this attitude.

• Jak się okazuje… (As it turns out…)
  
  Jak się okazuje to nie do końca prawda. 
  As it turns out, it’s not entirely true.

• Zakładając, że (Assuming that…)
  
  Zakładając, że autor ma rację jest to poważny zarzut. 
  Assuming that the author is right, it’s a serious accusation.

• Według autora… (According to the author…)
  
  Według autora nie jest to najlepsze rozwiązanie. 
  According to the author, it’s not the best solution.

• Warto podkreślić… (One should emphasize…)
  
  Warto podkreślić, że to tylko teoria. 
  One should emphasize that it’s only a theory.

• Można powiedzieć, że… (One could say that…)
  
  Można powiedzieć, że ludzie reagują w takich sytuacjach impulsywnie. 
  One could say that people react impulsively in such situations.

• Nie ulega wątpliwości, że… (Undoubtedly…)
  
  Nie ulega wątpliwości, że to nie jest idealne rozwiązanie. 
  Undoubtedly, it isn’t a perfect solution.

• Wbrew zdaniu… (Contrary to…)
  
  Wbrew zdaniu wielu osób to nie do końca prawda. 
  Contrary to what many people believe, it isn’t entirely true.

• Mogłoby się wydawać… (One could conclude that…)
  
  Mogłoby się wydawać, że to definitywnie zakończy dyskusję. 
  One could conclude that it’s the end of this discussion.

• Prawdopodobnie… (Probably…)
  
  Prawdopodobnie nigdy nie dowiemy się prawdy. 
  Probably, we’ll never learn the truth.

• Ogólnie rzecz biorąc… (Generally speaking…)
  
  Ogólnie rzecz biorąc, tendencje destrukcyjne nie biorą się znikąd. 
  Generally speaking, destructive tendencies don’t appear out of nowhere.

• Badania wskazują, że… (Research suggests that…)
  
  Badania wskazują, że u większości osób nie ma tej cechy. 
  Research suggests that most people don’t have this trait.

• Dla przykładu warto przywołać… (As an example, one could mention…)
  
  Dla przykładu warto przywołać badania doktora Nowaka.
  As an example, one could mention the research conducted by Dr. Nowak.

• Większość pytanych… (The majority of respondents…)
  
  Większość pytanych niechętnie wypowiada się na ten temat. 
  The majority of respondents are reluctant to discuss this subject.

Naturally, this isn’t a comprehensive list of all the advanced Polish words and phrases used in academic writing. However, the ones mentioned above can be extremely helpful when it comes to expressing yourself and ordering your thoughts. To broaden your vocabulary on this topic, visit our lesson on common terms in academic writing. Are you out of ideas on how to practice writing? We have a lesson about that, too!

2. Power Phrases for Your Resume 

There are also some advanced Polish words and phrases you’ll need to know if you want to succeed in business contexts. The first step is to make your resume shine. Below are several phrases you should consider upgrading your resume with:

• umiejętność radzenia sobie w trudnych sytuacjach 
  the ability to work under pressure

• umiejętność pracy pod presją czasu 
  the ability to work in a fast-paced environment

• dobra organizacja pracy 
  the ability to work in an organized manner

• umiejętność pracy w zespole 
  being a team player

• umiejętność zarządzania czasem 
  time management skills

• wysoka kultura osobista 
  impeccable manner

• nastawienie na rozwój i realizację celów 
  career-driven and goal-oriented

• umiejętność rozwiązywania konfliktów 
  being a conflict-resolver

• umiejętność przystosowywania się do zmian 
  high adaptability

• zdolność szybkiej i efektywnej nauki 
  fast and effective learner

• umiejętność samodzielnej pracy 
  the ability to work independently

• umiejętność wyznaczania priorytetów 
  the ability to prioritize tasks

• biegła znajomość MS Excel 
  advanced use of Excel

• zdolność zarządzania projektami 
  project management skills

• szeroka wiedza z zakresu [X] 
  broad knowledge on the topic of [X]

For example:
szeroka wiedza z zakresu bankowości internetowej 
broad knowledge on the topic of internet banking

Phrases like those above usually end up on your resume as bullet points. You could also mention these characteristics during a Polish job interview!

3. Smart Phrases for Business Meetings

People working in Polish offices use a lot of anglicisms. In order to communicate at an advanced level, it’s necessary that you’re able to understand the way they’re pronounced in Polish. To get you started, here are several advanced Polish conversational phrases, expressions, and words often used during business meetings:

• ASAP / do zrobienia na wczoraj (things to be done ASAP)
  
  Ten projekt musi być wykonany ASAP. / Ten projekt jest do zrobienia na wczoraj. 
  This project should be completed ASAP.

• brif / brief (brief)
  
  Jaki jest brif/brief? 
  What’s the brief?

• dedlajn / deadline (deadline)
  
  Jaki jest dedlajn/deadline? 
  What’s the deadline?

• dreskod / dress code (dress code)
  
  Jaki jest dreskod/dresscode w twojej firmie? 
  What’s the dress code in your company?

• fakap / poważny problem (a serious problem)
  
  Mamy fakap. / Mamy poważny problem. 
  There’s a serious problem.

• feedback / informacje zwrotne (feedback)
  
  Mamy feedback/informacje zwrotne od klienta? 
  Do we have the feedback from the client?

• kol / call (call)
  
  Nie mogę, mam wtedy kola/calla z klientem. 
  I can’t do it; I have a call with the client then.

• ołpenspejs / openspace (open-space)
  
  Nie lubię pracować w ołpenspejsie/openspace. 
  I don’t like working in an open-space office.

• risercz / research (research)
  
  Muszę zrobić risercz/research. 
  I need to do some research.

• target (target)
  
  On nie wyrabia targetów. 
  He doesn’t meet the targets.

These advanced conversational phrases in Polish will help you understand others and express yourself in the way that Polish people actually speak in the workplace. Here are some additional lessons that you may find useful:

• Going on a Polish Business Trip
• A Polish Business Presentation
• Making Some Difficult Business Decisions in Poland

Don’t forget to brush up on your business meeting etiquette and learn how to dress for one before you go to meet your Polish clients!

4. Advanced Idioms, Sayings, and Proverbs for Everyday Usage

Another key group of advanced Polish phrases for learners aspiring to reach fluency consists of idioms, sayings, and proverbs. Here’s a list of the most common ones:

• Wszystko jest na jedno kopyto. 
  Everything is (done) in the same way.
  Literally: Everything is (done) according to the same hoof.

• Żadna praca nie hańbi. 
  No work is shameful.

• To wisienka na torcie. 
  It’s a cherry on top.

• Lepiej późno niż wcale. 
  Better late than never.

• Połamania nóg! 
  Break a leg!

• Ogarnij się! [slang]
  Get your act together!

• O wilku mowa. 
  Speaking of the devil.

• Nie ma co płakać nad rozlanym mlekiem. 
  Don’t cry over spilt milk.

• Cisza przed burzą
  The calm before the storm

• Nie wywołuj wilka z lasu. 
  Let sleeping dogs lie.

You’ll sound much more natural once you start using these advanced conversational phrases in Polish. If you’d like to learn more of them, have a look at the following lessons on PolishPod101.com:

• Idioms Using the Word “Head”
• Idioms Using the Word “Legs”
• Idioms Related to Animals

You can also look for advanced Polish phrases in books and articles you read as well as listen for them when talking with native speakers. 

5. Final Thoughts

There are countless advanced Polish words and phrases you can learn to improve your language skills. Our list is a great place to start as you begin improving your Polish and leveling up. Above all, knowing these phrases will help you feel much more confident in your everyday life.

Unfortunately, no matter how many advanced Polish conversational phrases you memorize, there will always be other aspects of the language you’ll have to cover. The best thing you can do is get access to a tool that will help you learn advanced Polish in a well-structured way.

An amazing tool that will help you do exactly that is our platform, PolishPod101. There are countless audio and video recordings available to students of all levels. Our personalized pathways will help you work on the most relevant skills, no matter where you are on your learning journey. For advanced Polish lessons designed to help you reach your fluency goals, we recommend our Level 5 pathway. Apart from lessons, we also offer various vocabulary learning tools as well as MyTeacher (for Premium PLUS members). 

Don’t hesitate. Join us today!

On your way to Polish language mastery, you’ll need to memorize and learn how to use advanced Polish words. This stage usually occurs a few years into your Polish-language studies, once you’re able to understand fairly complex conversations and talk about a variety of topics.

What you’re missing at this point are more advanced words and phrases that allow you to speak freely about topics such as studies, university matters, politics, or medicine. In this blog post, you’ll find an advanced Polish word list along with certain phrases and examples of use.

Table of Contents

1. Advanced Academic Words
2. Advanced College Vocabulary
3. Advanced Business Words
4. Advanced Medical Words
5. Advanced Legal Words
6. Advanced Political Vocabulary
7. Final Thoughts

1. Advanced Academic Words

The first set of advanced Polish words we’ll look at consists of terms related to academia. Learning these words will help you engage in more complicated conversations, discuss a greater variety of topics, and excel while studying at a Polish university. Here are the most important words and expressions in this category: 

Word or expression	Part of speech	Example	Translation
wysławiać się  to articulate / to express oneself	verb	On pięknie się wysławia.	He has a way with words.
założenie  assumption / objective	noun	Założeniem tego eseju jest omówienie tej problematyki.	The objective of this essay is to discuss this problem.
stały  constant	adjective	Stały wzrost gospodarczy dobrze wróży.	Constant economic growth is a good sign.
dyskutować  to debate	verb	Nie mam ochoty o tym dyskutować.	I don’t feel like debating it.
zbierać  to collect / to gather	verb	Zbieramy dane na temat tego miasta.	We’re collecting data about the city.
prowadzić  to lead to	verb	To prowadzi do deficytu.	It leads to a deficit.
odpowiedni  suitable / adequate	adjective	Szukamy odpowiedniego kandydata.	We’re looking for a suitable candidate.
szczegółowy  detailed	adjective	Jego raport jest szczegółowy.	His report is detailed.
rozsądny  reasonable	adjective	Ona jest bardzo rozsądna.	She’s very reasonable.
subtelny  subtle	adjective	Można zauważyć subtelną tendencje spadkową.	One can notice a subtle downward trend.
prawdopodobny  likely	adjective	Ten scenariusz jest prawdopodobny.	Such a development is likely.
nieprawdopodobny improbable	adjective	Te wyniki są zupełnie nieprawdopodobne.	These results are completely improbable.
dosłownie  literally	adverb	Nie bierz tego dosłownie.	You shouldn’t take it literally.
mimo że  even though	conjunction	Mimo że się z nim nie zgadzam, nie powiem mu tego.	Even though I disagree with him, I won’t tell him that.
w tym przypadku  in this case	conjunction	W tym przypadku to dobre rozwiązanie.	In this case, it’s a good solution.
chyba że  unless	conjunction	Powiedz jej, chyba że się boisz.	Tell her, unless you’re scared.
niemniej jednak  nonetheless	conjunction	Niemniej jednak, to ważny argument.	Nonetheless, it’s an important point.
co więcej  what’s more	conjunction	On jest wykształcony. Co więcej, ma doświadczenie.	He’s educated. What’s more, he’s experienced.
jako  as	conjunction	Pracuję jako zastępca nauczyciela angielskiego.	He works as a replacement for the English teacher.
mimo / pomimo  despite	conjunction	Wypił herbatę mimo bólu gardła.	He drank his tea despite his sore throat.
jeśli chodzi o  as for	conjunction	Jeśli chodzi o moje referencje, to może Pan zadzwonić do mojego szefa.	As for my references, you can contact my boss.
podczas gdy  while	conjunction	Podczas gdy ty odpoczywasz, ja pracuję.	While you’re resting, I’m working.
spierać się to argue	verb	Nie będę się z Tobą spierać.	I won’t argue with you.
wnioskować  to conclude	verb	Z twojej odpowiedzi wnioskuję, że nie masz czasu.	I conclude from your answer that you have no time.
dowód  evidence	noun	Nie ma dowodu na to, że Twoja teoria jest poprawna.	There’s no evidence that your theory is true.

These advanced Polish vocabulary words will also help you when giving a speech or watching the news. Speaking of news, do you know how to react when getting some good news in Poland?  

2. Advanced College Vocabulary

As an advanced student of Polish, you may want to study in Poland. If that’s so, you should check our lesson on looking for an apartment in Poland; finding accommodation is so much easier when you know the right words. College- and university-related vocabulary is also very useful when talking about your education. 

Here are the most important advanced Polish words and phrases related to this topic: 

Word or expression	Part of speech	Example	Translation
wykład  lecture	noun	Idę na wykład.	I’m going to attend a lecture.
wykładowca (m.) / wykładowczyni (f.) lecturer	noun	Mój wykładowca / Moja wykładowczyni od literatury angielskiej jest super.	My English literature lecturer is really cool.
sala wykładowa  auditorium	noun	W sali wykładowej nie było już miejsc.	There were no seats left in the auditorium.
praca licencjacka / praca magisterska  BA thesis / MA thesis	noun	Niedługo skończę pisać moją pracę magisterską.	I’ll finish writing my MA thesis soon.
zajęcia  class Note: Polish universities usually have a mixture of classes in small groups and lectures.	noun	Chyba spóźnię się na zajęcia.	I think I’ll be late for class.
lista obecności attendance list	noun	Wykładowca nie sprawdził listy obecności.	The lecturer didn’t check the attendance list.
ocena  grade	noun	Mam dobre oceny.	I have good grades.
średnia  GPA	noun	Moja średnia jest niska.	My GPA is low.
stypendium  scholarship	noun	Potrzebne mi stypendium, aby przeżyć.	I need the scholarship to make ends meet.
studia dzienne  full-time studies	noun	Dostałam się na studia dzienne!	I’ve gotten in as a full-time student!
studia wieczorowe / studia zaoczne  part-time studies	noun	Studia wieczorowe łatwiej pogodzić z pracą.	It’s easier to work and study during part-time studies.
skończyć studia  to graduate	verb + noun	Niedługo skończę studia.	I will graduate soon.
absolwent  graduate	noun	Absolwentom nie łatwo znaleźć pracę.	It’s not easy for graduates to find work.
staż  internship	noun	Musisz znaleźć staż.	You have to find an internship.
wymiana studencka  student exchange / exchange program	noun	Erasmus to świetna wymiana studencka.	Erasmus is a great exchange program.
studiować  to study Note: This verb is only used in reference to studying at a university/in college.	verb	On studiuje na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim.	He’s a student at the University of Warsaw.
przygotowywać się do  to study for an exam	verb	On przygotowuje się do egzaminu.	He’s preparing for an exam.
zdać  to pass	verb	Zdaliśmy egzamin!	We’ve passed the exam.
oblać  to fail	verb	Niestety oblałem ten egzamin.	Unfortunately, I’ve failed this exam.
oblać kogoś  to fail someone on an exam	verb	Proszę mnie nie oblewać!	Please don’t fail me!
podejść do egzaminu  to take an exam	verb	Podeszliśmy do egzaminu dwa razy.	We’ve taken this exam twice.
poprawka  retake	noun	Poprawka odbędzie się we wrześniu.	The retake will take place in September.
zjazd absolwentów  graduate reunion	noun	Nie mam zamiaru iść na zjazd absolwentów.	I have no intention of participating in the graduate reunion.

This advanced Polish word list for college and university will allow you to have interesting conversations with people. It can also come in handy when talking about your university experience during a Polish job interview. 

3. Advanced Business Words

Now that you’re an advanced Polish student, you may also be thinking about finding a job in Poland. Performing your job there or dealing with Polish clients will be much easier if you know some advanced-level Polish words for the workplace.

Word or expression	Part of speech	Example	Translation
dział  department	noun	Pracuję w dziale personalnym.	I work in the HR department.
siedziba  headquarters	noun	Siedziba tej firmy jest w Warszawie.	This company is headquartered in Warsaw.
zwolnienie  dismissal	noun	Jeśli nie zacznie pracować, czeka go zwolnienie.	If he doesn’t start working, he can expect a dismissal.
zwolnić  to fire / to dismiss	verb	Oni go nigdy nie zwolnią.	They’ll never fire him.
zwolnić się / złożyć wypowiedzenie  to resign	verb	Zwolnię się / Złożę wypowiedzenie, jeśli nic się nie zmieni.	I’ll resign if nothing changes.
dochody  turnover / revenue	noun	Dochody mojej firmy są wysokie.	My company has a high revenue.
wynagrodzenie  fee / salary	noun	Moim zdaniem to wygórowane wynagrodzenie.	In my opinion, the fee is too high.
ubezpieczenie (zdrowotne)  health insurance	noun	Wynagrodzenie jest dobre, ale firma nie oferuje ubezpieczenia.	The salary is good, but the company doesn’t offer health insurance.
benefity  perks	noun	Liczę na jakieś benefity w tej firmie.	I’m hoping for some perks in this company.
oferta pracy  job offer	noun	To atrakcyjna oferta pracy.	It’s an attractive job offer.
rynek pracy job market	noun	Rynek pracy jest słaby.	The job market is weak.
złożyć podanie (o pracę)  to apply (for a job)	verb	Złożył do nas podanie o pracę.	He’s applied for a job with us.
zatrudnić  to hire	verb	Zatrudnimy tylko odpowiedniego kandydata.	We’ll only hire the right candidate.
umowa o pracę  work contract	noun	Jutro kończy mi się umowa o pracę.	My work contract finishes tomorrow.
umowa o dzieło  work contract for contractors	noun	Nie jestem freelancerem, ale mam umowę o dzieło.	I’m not a freelancer, but I have a work contract for contractors.
praca na cały etat  full-time job	noun	Mamy pracę na cały etat.	We have a full-time job.
praca na pół etatu  part-time job	noun	Pracuję na pół etatu i studiuję.	I have a part-time job, and I study.
podróż służbowa  business trip	noun	Ona jest ciągle w podróży służbowej.	She’s always traveling for work.
urlop macierzyński / urlop tacierzyński maternity leave / paternity leave	noun	W Polsce urlop macierzyński trwa rok, a tacierzyński dwa tygodnie.	In Poland, maternity leave is a year long and paternity leave is two weeks long.
urlop (wypoczynkowy)  leave	noun	Idę na urlop.	I’m going on leave.
chorobowe  sick leave	noun	Jestem na chorobowym.	I’m on sick leave.
zwolnienie lekarskie  doctor’s note	noun	Przy dwóch dniach nieobecności potrzebne ci zwolnienie lekarskie.	When you’re absent for two days, you need a doctor’s note.
marka  brand	noun	Uwielbiam tę markę!	I love this brand!
znak towarowy trademark	noun	Znak towarowy jest zastrzeżony.	It’s a registered trademark.

In addition to these more advanced Polish words and phrases, make sure that you have the basic vocabulary for jobs / work covered too!

4. Advanced Medical Words

Being able to talk about diseases and medical conditions is an important skill for advanced students to possess. Such topics come up in everyday conversations and when reading the news. Here’s a list of advanced Polish vocabulary words related to medicine: 

Word or expression	Part of speech	Example	Translation
stany lękowe  anxiety disorder	noun	Cierpię na stany lękowe.	I have an anxiety disorder.
depresja  depression	noun	On ma depresje.	He suffers from depression.
zaburzenia dwubiegunowe  bipolar disorder	noun	Zaburzenia dwubiegunowe to choroba, która dotyka wiele osób.	Bipolar disorder is a mental illness many people suffer from.
antydepresanty  antidepressants	noun	On bierze antydepresanty.	He’s on antidepressants.
pomoc psychologiczna psychological help	noun	W Polsce coraz łatwiej o pomoc psychologiczną.	It’s easier and easier to get psychological help in Poland.
lekarz pierwszego kontaktu  GP	noun	Skontaktowałam się z moim lekarzem pierwszego kontaktu.	I’ve contacted my GP.
dermatolog dermatologist	noun	Mój syn chce zostać dermatologiem.	My son wants to be a dermatologist.
okulista  optometrist	noun	Okulista bada wzrok.	An optometrist checks your eyesight.
kardiolog  cardiologist	noun	Kardiolog leczy choroby serca.	A cardiologist treats heart conditions.
laryngolog  ENT	noun	Laryngolog pomoże z problemami z uszami, nosem i gardłem.	An ENT can help you with ear, nose, and throat issues.
dietetyk  dietician	noun	Dietetyk może zaplanować twoją dietę.	A dietician can plan your diet.
wizyta  a doctor’s appointment	noun	Umówiłam Cię na wizytę u dentysty na jutro.	I’ve booked you a dentist appointment for tomorrow.
zbadać  to examine	verb	Doktor bada pacjentów.	A doctor examines patients.
znieczulić / dać znieczulenie  to give an anesthetic	verb	Nie dam Panu znieczulenia!	I won’t give you an anesthetic!
zdiagnozować  to diagnose	verb	Zdiagnozowano u niego raka.	He has been diagnosed with cancer.
leczyć  to treat	verb	On wie, jak leczyć dzieci.	He knows how to treat children.
operować  to operate	verb	On nigdy nic nie mówi, gdy operuje.	He never says anything when he’s operating.
chemioterapia chemotherapy	noun	Chemioterapia to leczenie inwazyjne.	Chemotherapy is an invasive treatment.
stół operacyjny  operating table	noun	Stół operacyjny musi być czysty.	The operating table needs to be clean.
skalpel  scalpel	noun	Skalpel musi być sterylny.	The scalpel needs to be sterile.
tlen  oxygen	noun	Siostro, proszę podać pacjentowi tlen.	Nurse, please give the patient oxygen.
śpiączka  coma	noun	Jej ojciec jest w śpiączce od 10 lat.	Her father has been in a coma for ten years.
zemdleć / stracić przytomność  to faint	verb	Nie stracił przytomności.	He didn’t faint.
odzyskać przytomność to regain consciousness	verb	Pacjent wciąż nie odzyskał przytomności.	The patient still has not regained consciousness.

Do you need to see a Polish doctor? Being able to call the Polish doctor’s office is one of the most important skills you should acquire as you approach an advanced level in Polish.

5. Advanced Legal Words

Being able to talk and understand what’s being said about the justice system is a very handy skill. Learn these advanced Polish words and phrases to start off on the right foot: 

Word or expression	Part of speech	Example	Translation
sędzia  judge	noun	To sędzia Sądu Najwyższego.	He’s a judge of the High Court.
adwokat  barrister	noun	Jego adwokat ma rację.	His barrister is right.
prokurator  prosecutor	noun	Prokurator nie ma dowodów.	The prosecutor has no evidence.
zaświadczenie o niekaralności  police clearance	noun	Potrzebne mi zaświadczenie o niekaralności.	I need police clearance.
apelacja  appeal	noun	Możemy złożyć apelację.	We can lodge an appeal.
sądowy  judicial	adjective	Proces sądowy może być skomplikowany.	The judicial procedure may be complicated.
pozwać  to sue	verb	Pozwał ich do sądu.	He sued them.
sprawa (sądowa)  (court) case	noun	Ten adwokat nie chce wziąć mojej sprawy.	This lawyer doesn’t want to take my case.
świadek  witness	noun	To świadek zbrodni.	He is a witness to a crime.
zeznawać  to testify	verb	Chciałaby zeznawać, ale się boi.	She’d like to testify, but she’s scared.
skazać  to sentence	verb	Skazano go na trzy lata w więzieniu.	He was sentenced to three years in prison.
kaucja  bail	noun	Kaucja nie jest wysoka.	The bail was not set high.
uniewinnić  to acquit	verb	Na szczęście został uniewinniony.	Luckily, he was acquitted.
dożywocie  life sentence	noun	Dożywocie to najsurowsza kara w Polsce.	A life sentence is the harshest punishment in Poland.
kara śmierci  death penalty	noun	Kara śmierci jest wykonywana w niektórych stanach w USA.	The death penalty is still a thing in some states in the U.S.
kara grzywny / grzywna penalty / fine	noun	Ukarano ich tylko grzywna.	They only got a fine.
w zawieszeniu  suspended sentence	noun	Kara jest w zawieszeniu.	The sentence is suspended.
nakaz  warrant	noun	Bez nakazu nie wolno nam go aresztować.	We can’t arrest him without a warrant.
notariusz  notary	noun	Potrzebny nam podpis notariusza.	We need a notary’s signature.
spadek  inheritance	noun	Dzieciom należy się spadek.	Children should get the inheritance.
porwanie kidnapping	noun	Porwania to duży problem w tym kraju.	Kidnappings are a big problem in this country.
morderstwo  murder	noun	Dużo morderstw popełnianych jest pod wpływem alkoholu.	Many murders are committed under the influence of alcohol.
kradzież theft	noun	Oskarżono go o kradzież.	He was accused of theft.
szantaż  blackmail	noun	Szantaż to przestępstwo.	Blackmail is a crime.
włamanie  burglary	noun	Włamanie zostało zgłoszone.	The burglary was reported.

We hope this advanced Polish word list will be helpful in your understanding of issues related to justice. Don’t forget to check out our lesson on calling for help to learn the vocabulary you might need in a dangerous situation. 

6. Advanced Political Vocabulary

As an advanced student, you should be able to talk about politics. Advanced Polish vocabulary words like those below are crucial in everyday conversations, and they can also help you understand newspapers and magazines. Take a look: 

Word or expression	Part of speech	Example	Translation
Sejm  the Polish Chamber of Deputies	noun	Jutro wybory do Sejmu.	Tomorrow, there’s the Chamber of Deputies’ election.
Senat  Senate	noun	Senat to wyższa izba.	The Senate is the higher chamber.
poseł  MP / deputy	noun	Chciałabym zostać posłem.	I’d like to become an MP.
senator  senator	noun	Ile trwa kadencja senatora?	How long is a senator’s term?
głosować  to vote	verb	Trzeba głosować.	One has to vote.
wybory  election	noun	Idziemy na wybory!	We’re going to vote!
prezydent  president	noun	Prezydent Polski to Andrzej Duda.	Andrzej Duda is the President of Poland.
rządzić  to rule	verb	Prezydent rządzi krajem.	The president rules the country.
podać się do dymisji  to resign (about a politician)	verb	Prezydent podał się do dymisji.	The president resigned from office.
premier  prime minister	noun	Premier dziś wygłosi przemówienie.	The prime minister will speak tonight.
minister  minister	noun	Kto jest teraz ministrem sprawiedliwości?	Who’s the Minister of Justice now?
ministerstwo  ministry	noun	To ministerstwo jest niedofinansowane.	This ministry is underfinanced.
ustawa  law	noun	Nowa ustawa wejdzie w życie jutro.	The new law will come into force tomorrow.
zawetować  to veto	verb	Prezydent zawetował ustawę.	The president has vetoed the law.
przegłosować  to pass a law	verb	Przegłosowano tę ustawę.	The law has been passed.
nanieść poprawki  to amend	verb	Do tej ustawy rząd naniesie jeszcze poprawki.	The government will still make some amendments to the law.
przepisy  regulations	noun	Czekają nas zmiany w przepisach.	We’re awaiting changes to the rules.
korupcja  corruption	noun	Mówi się o korupcji w rządzie.	The corruption in the government is being discussed.
łapówka  bribe	noun	Ten urzędnik dostał łapówkę.	This public official has been bribed.
przyjąć łapówkę  to accept a bribe	verb	Czy przyjąłbyś łapówkę?	Would you accept a bribe?
protestować  to protest	verb	Oni protestują przeciwko rządowi.	They’re protesting against the government.
partia polityczna  political party	noun	Nie głosowałem nigdy na tę partię.	I’ve never voted for this party.
lewica  left wing	noun	To jest partia lewicy.	It’s a left-wing party.
prawica  right wing	noun	Prawica ma większość w rządzie.	The right wing constitutes the majority of the government.
opozycja  opposition	noun	Opozycja nie zgadza się z twoim zdaniem.	The opposition disagrees with your opinion.

7. Final Thoughts 

Mastering a language means learning a lot of vocabulary. In this blog post, we’ve covered the essential advanced Polish words in various categories, including medicine, politics, and law. Learn these words and expressions, and you’ll see how much easier complex conversations will become. 

Did you know any of these words already? Which ones? We look forward to hearing from you! 

It would be impossible to provide all of the important advanced Polish words in one post. To learn much more vocabulary that you’ll need to get around, you should join PolishPod101. We have countless advanced Polish lessons for students like you. Our personalized pathways will give you access to materials that are appropriate for your level. Create your free lifetime account with us today!

Polish language exams may not be as popular and well-known as the English ones. This doesn’t mean, however, that Polish-learners have no way to prove their language proficiency. 

So what exams are available for people learning Polish? Is there a Polish test for beginners? If so, how does one prepare for the Polish A1 exam? 

Patience, grasshopper. You’ll find the answers to all of these questions—and much more—in this article.

Table of Contents

1. General Information About the Polish Language Test
2. What’s Inside the Test?
3. Preparation for the Polish Exam
4. Final Thoughts

1. General Information About the Polish Language Test

The British have FCE, CAE, and CPE. The French have DELF and DALF. The Polish, unfortunately, don’t use an acronym for the Polish language test. You’ll need to remember a slightly longer name: egzamin certyfikatowy z języka polskiego jako obcego (“certificate examination in Polish as a foreign language”). 

A- Test Levels

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) recognizes six levels of language fluency. The Polish exam for adults is currently available only at higher levels: B1 (intermediate), B2 (upper-intermediate), and C1 (advanced). This means that there’s no official Polish test for beginners yet.

Don’t despair! There may not be a Polish A1 exam for you to take at the moment, but the first Polish A2 exam is planned for the end of 2020. See the official website for a full list of exam sessions in 2020. 

The most popular of the general Polish language proficiency tests is the B1 Polish language exam, and there’s a good reason for this. Passing the B1 Polish exam is a requirement to: 

• Obtain Polish citizenship (obywatelstwo polskie)
• Get a Polish permanent residence permit (zezwolenie na pobyt stały) 
• Study in Poland (studium w Polsce) 

However, you may want to get a higher-level certificate to improve your CV, increase your chances of getting hired in Poland, or simply for personal satisfaction. 

→ Before you move to Poland, remember to check out our lesson about the top five things you need to know about Polish society. 

B- Test Structure

The Polish language certification exam consists of two parts: a written section and an oral one. They usually take place on two different days, but you can ask to take both on the same day. This would be useful, for instance, if you live far away from the exam center.

The written part is divided into four sections: 

• Listening
• Text comprehension
• Grammar
• Writing 

The length of the written exam is around 190 minutes. The oral exam is no longer than 15 minutes. 

To pass the exam, you need to obtain at least a fifty percent score on each component. If you need some motivation to learn enough Polish for the test, go to our lesson on the top five reasons to study Polish!

C- How and Where to Take the Test

There are numerous centers where the Polish language exam can be taken, after you register and pay the exam fee. You can find more information about the exam centers here. 

2. What’s Inside the Test?

In the following sections, we’ll outline what you can expect to see in each section of this Polish exam for foreigners. This will allow you to better prepare for the test, and study appropriately! 

A- The Polish Listening Exam

The listening comprehension (rozumienie ze słuchu) component is taken with the written part of the exam. After 25 minutes, the test sheets are collected and you have a short break. 

What to Expect

This part of the exam is aimed at checking your listening comprehension skills. You’ll listen to a number of recordings and follow the instructions to answer the questions. Usually, you’ll hear each recording twice, but occasionally, only one listening is allowed.

The instructions will clearly state what you’re supposed to do in a given task. You can expect a variety of different exercises here, such as multiple-choice, true-or-false, and filling in the blanks. You may also be asked to provide your answer in writing. 

Useful Tips:

• Prepare for this part of the exam by listening to various materials and taking notes. 
• During the exam, read the answers before the recording begins, if possible. 
• Remember to answer the questions or mark your answers in the way specified in the instructions. 

Are you looking for some exercises to practice your listening skills? PolishPod101.com has a series of listening comprehension exercises just for beginners. The first installment of this series is “At the Jewelry Store.”

B- The Polish Reading Exam

The reading comprehension (rozumienie tekstów pisanych) section is the second part of the exam. This time, you’ll have 45 minutes to complete the tasks. The exam sheets are collected after this duration of time.

What to Expect

The purpose of the reading component of the Polish certificate exam is to test your general and specific understanding of the written language. You can expect the following types of exercises: multiple-choice, true-or-false, and written answers. 

Useful Tips:

• Don’t rush through the texts. Some questions may be tricky. 
• If you have any time left, reread the text and check your answers again.
• Don’t panic. You don’t need to understand every word to understand the text. 

You can start practicing the skills necessary to pass this part of the exam with the first lesson in our reading comprehension series: “Buying a Train Ticket.”

C- The Grammar Portion of the Test

The grammar—or more specifically, the grammatical correctness (poprawność gramatyczna)—portion of the test lasts for 45 minutes. After this time, the worksheets will be collected.

What to Expect?

Polish grammar (gramatyka języka polskiego) is feared by many students. You shouldn’t be too scared of this part of the exam, though. When you study hard, correct forms will come naturally to you. 

The types of questions you can expect are: multiple-choice, filling in the blanks, paraphrasing, formation of words, and proper verb forms. 

Useful Tips:

• When preparing for the exam, study verb conjugations carefully.
• Be particularly careful with subject-verb agreement as well as with adjectives and possessive pronouns.
• When you don’t know the answer, let your linguistic instinct lead you. You know more than you think you do!

Our Painless Polish Grammar page will certainly help you with the grammar component of the Polish language exam. 

D- The Polish Writing Exam

Expressing oneself through writing (wypowiedź pisemna) is the last (and longest) part of the written exam. You have 75 minutes to complete it.

What to Expect

You’ll have to complete certain tasks aimed at checking your writing skills in Polish. The topics are general and examiners aren’t interested in checking your knowledge. They just assess your Polish writing skills.

Usually, there are three different sets to choose from. Each set contains two tasks that you’ll have to complete in a given amount of time. When the worksheets are taken away, you’re done for the day!

Useful Tips:

• Keep the word limit in mind. It’s there for a reason, and you may lose points or even be disqualified if you ignore it. 
• Choose the set of tasks you feel best prepared for.
• Remember to reread what you’ve written and correct any mistakes you find. 

What’s the easiest way to start writing and improve on your own? Click on the link to find out. 

E- The Polish Speaking Exam

The Polish oral exam (egzamin ustny) is the shortest part of the exam, at only 15 minutes long. As previously mentioned, it’s usually taken on a different day than the written exam. 

What to Expect

The test consists of three different tasks. The first two are monologues and the third one is a discussion with a member of the jury. There are different sets available, but you choose them at random without looking at them. Once you have your set, you’ll have approximately 5 minutes to prepare.

Before you start the actual exam, you’ll have a short, general conversation with a jury. After that, you can present what you’ve prepared in any order you choose. The jury is allowed to ask you questions. 

Useful Tips:

• If you’re stressed, speak slower. You’ll make fewer mistakes. 
• Don’t panic if you forget a word. Simply describe what you mean. 
• Try to use synonyms and different grammatical structures.

Before you register for the Polish as a second language exam, remember to learn the one hack for speaking real-life Polish. 

3. Preparation for the Polish Exam

You already know where to find specific information about the test, such as Polish B1 exam dates and locations. You’ve also read about the exam structure and know more about what to expect. Last but not least, we’re going to give you some recommendations on how to prepare for this exam.

Do Mock Tests

The best way to prepare for an exam is by taking mock tests. Doing so will give you practical knowledge about the test. 

When you know what to expect, and are thus unlikely to be surprised, it’s much easier to manage stress. You can find some sample tests on the official website of the certificate. 

Listen to More-Experienced Students

Try to get advice on the test from people who’ve already passed it. If you don’t have access to anyone like this, simply look for testimonials and articles online. 

Work on Your Vocabulary

The more words you know, the less probable it is that you’ll get stuck. You’ll find useful vocabulary in Polish series, movies, and books, as well as in our vocabulary lists. 

Speak, Listen, and Read

There are countless possibilities to speak, listen, and read Polish. Find a language partner online or in real life, listen to Polish podcasts, or read newspapers. 

Get a Tutor

You can improve your fluency with a language partner, but speaking and writing are difficult skills to master without proper help from a professional. 

Kill two birds with one stone by getting an account with PolishPod101.com. With our Premium PLUS option, you’ll not only get access to countless learning materials, but also to our MyTeacher program with one-on-one tutoring.

4. Final Thoughts

There’s no Polish test for beginners, but with a bit of work you can definitely manage to get a higher certificate in the Polish language. Remember to start preparing way in advance and don’t forget to register. If you’re prepared, you’re unlikely to fail. However, in the unlikely event that you do, you may find some consolation in this article.

The Polish A1 exam may not be available yet, but who knows what the future holds? If you don’t want to wait, get your free lifetime account with PolishPod101.com today. This way, you can work on your Polish vocabulary and other Polish skills to ace a higher level of the official Polish proficiency test. 

Is there anything you still want to know about Polish language proficiency tests? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll do our best to help you out!

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing’s for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, “We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us.” The older I get, the more I agree with him!

Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person’s journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you’re planning to stay in Poland for more than a quick visit, you’re sure to need at least a few ‘life events’ phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it’s generally expected that we will show up with good manners and warm wishes.

Table of Contents

1. Life Events
2. Marriage Proposal Lines
3. Talking About Age
4. Conclusion

1. Life Events

Do you know how to say “Happy New Year” in Polish? Well, the New Year is a pretty big deal that the whole world is in on! We celebrate until midnight, make mindful resolutions, and fill the night sky with the same happy words in hundreds of languages. No doubt, then, that you’ll want to know how to say it like a local!

Big life events are not all about fun times, though. Real life happens even when you’re traveling, and certain terminology will be very helpful to know. From talking about your new job to wishing your neighbors “Merry Christmas” in Polish, here at PolishPod101, we’ve put together just the right vocabulary and phrases for you.

1- Birthday – urodziny

If you’re like me, any excuse to bring out a pen and scribble a note is a good one. When there’s a birthday, even better: hello, handwriting!

Your Polish friend will love hearing you wish them a “Happy birthday” in Polish, but how much more will they appreciate a thoughtful written message? Whether you write it on their Facebook wall or buy a cute card, your effort in Polish is sure to get them smiling! Write it like this:

Wszystkiego najlepszego

Now that you know the words, I challenge you to put them to music and sing your own “Happy birthday” song in Polish! It’s not impossible to figure out even more lyrics, once you start discovering the language from scratch.

2- Buy – kupować

If there’s a special occasion, you might want to buy somebody a gift. As long as you’ve checked out Polish etiquette on gift-giving (do a Google search for this!), it will be a lovely gesture. If you’re not sure what to buy, how about the awesome and universally-appealing gift of language? That’s a gift that won’t stop giving!

3- Retire – przechodzić na emeryturę

If you’re planning to expand your mind and retire in Poland, you can use this word to tell people why you seem to be on a perpetual vacation!

Retirement is also a great time to learn a new language, don’t you think? And you don’t have to do it alone! These days it’s possible to connect to a vibrant learning community at the click of a button. The added benefit of a Daily Dose of Language is that it keeps your brain cells alive and curious about the world. After all, it’s never too late to realize those long-ignored dreams of traveling the globe…

4- Graduation – ukończenie szkoły

When attending a graduation ceremony in Poland, be prepared for a lot of formal language! It will be a great opportunity to listen carefully and see if you can pick up differences from the everyday Polish you hear.

5- Promotion – awans

Next to vacation time, receiving a promotion is the one career highlight almost everyone looks forward to. And why wouldn’t you? Sure, it means more responsibility, but it also means more money and benefits and – the part I love most – a change of scenery! Even something as simple as looking out a new office window would boost my mood.

6- Anniversary – rocznica

Some anniversaries we anticipate with excitement, others with apprehension. They are days marking significant events in our lives that can be shared with just one person, or with a whole nation. Whether it’s a special day for you and a loved one, or for someone else you know, this word is crucial to know if you want to wish them a happy anniversary in Polish.

7- Funeral – pogrzeb

We tend to be uncomfortable talking about funerals in the west, but it’s an important conversation for families to have. Around the world, there are many different customs and rituals for saying goodbye to deceased loved ones – some vastly different to our own. When traveling in Poland, if you happen to find yourself the unwitting observer of a funeral, take a quiet moment to appreciate the cultural ethos; even this can be an enriching experience for you.

8- Travel – podróżować

Travel – my favorite thing to do! Everything about the experience is thrilling and the best cure for boredom, depression, and uncertainty about your future. You will surely be forever changed, fellow traveler! But you already know this, don’t you? Well, now that you’re on the road to total Polish immersion, I hope you’ve downloaded our IOS apps and have your Nook Book handy to keep yourself entertained on those long bus rides.

9- Graduate – skończyć szkołę

If you have yet to graduate from university, will you be job-hunting in Poland afterward? Forward-looking companies sometimes recruit talented students who are still in their final year. Of course, you could also do your final year abroad as an international student – an amazing experience if you’d love to be intellectually challenged and make a rainbow of foreign friends!

10- Wedding – ślub

One of the most-loved traditions that humans have thought up, which you’ll encounter anywhere in the world, is a wedding. With all that romance in the air and months spent on preparations, a wedding is typically a feel-good affair. Two people pledge their eternal love to each other, ladies cry, single men look around for potential partners, and everybody has a happy day of merrymaking.

Ah, but how diverse we are in our expression of love! You will find more wedding traditions around the world than you can possibly imagine. From reciting love quotes to marrying a tree, the options leave no excuse to be boring!

11- Move – przeprowadzać się

I love Poland, but I’m a nomad and tend to move around a lot, even within one country. What are the biggest emotions you typically feel when moving house? The experts say moving is a highly stressful event, but I think that depends on the circumstances. Transitional periods in our lives are physically and mentally demanding, but changing your environment is also an exciting adventure that promises new tomorrows!

12- Be born – urodzić się

I was not born in 1993, nor was I born in Asia. I was born in the same year as Aishwarya Rai, Akon, and Monica Lewinsky, and on the same continent as Freddy Mercury. When and where were you born? More importantly – can you say it in Polish?

13- Get a job – dostać pracę

The thought of looking for a job in a new country can be daunting, but English speakers are in great demand in Poland – you just have to do some research, make a few friends and get out there! Also, arming yourself with a few Polish introductions that you can both say and write will give you a confidence boost. For example, can you write your name in Polish?

14- Die – umrzeć

Death is a universal experience and the final curtain on all other life events. How important is it, then, to fully live before we die? If all you have is a passport, a bucket list, and a willingness to learn some lingo, you can manifest those dreams!

15- Home – dom

If home is where the heart is, then my home is on a jungle island completely surrounded by the turquoise ocean. Right now, though, home is an isolation room with a view of half a dry palm tree and a tangle of telephone wires.

If you’re traveling to Poland for an extended stay, you’ll soon be moving into a new home quite unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

16- Job – praca

What job do you do? Does it allow you much time for travel, or for working on this fascinating language that has (so rightfully) grabbed your attention? Whatever your job, you are no doubt contributing to society in a unique way. If you’re doing what you love, you’re already on the road to your dream. If not, just remember that every single task is one more skill to add to your arsenal. With that attitude, your dream job is coming!

17- Birth – narodziny

Random question: do you know the birth rate of Poland?

If you’re lucky enough to be invited to see a friend’s baby just after they are born, you’ll have all my respect and all my envy. There is nothing cuter! Depending on which part of the country you’re in, you may find yourself bearing witness to some pretty unexpected birth customs. Enjoy this privilege!

18- Engaged – zaręczać się

EE Cummings said, “Lovers alone wear sunlight,” and I think that’s most true at the moment she says “yes.” Getting engaged is something young girls dream of with stars in their eyes, and it truly is a magical experience – from the proposal, to wearing an engagement ring, to the big reveal!

In the world of Instagram, there’s no end to the antics as imaginative couples try more and more outrageous ways to share their engagement with the world. I love an airport flashmob, myself, but I’d rather be proposed to on a secluded beach – salt, sand, and all!

Engagement customs around the world vary greatly, and Poland is no exception when it comes to interesting traditions. Learning their unique romantic ways will inspire you for when your turn comes.

Speaking of romance, do you know how to say “Happy Valentine’s Day” in Polish?

19- Marry – pobierać się

The one you marry will be the gem on a shore full of pebbles. They will be the one who truly mirrors your affection, shares your visions for the future, and wants all of you – the good, the bad and the inexplicable.

From thinking up a one-of-a-kind wedding, to having children, to growing old together, finding a twin flame to share life with is quite an accomplishment! Speaking of which…

2. Marriage Proposal Lines

Ah, that heart-stopping moment when your true love gets down on one knee to ask for your hand in marriage, breathlessly hoping that you’ll say “Yes!” If you haven’t experienced that – well, it feels pretty darn good, is all I can say! If you’re the one doing the asking, though, you’ve probably had weeks of insomnia agonizing over the perfect time, location and words to use.

How much more care should be taken if your love is from a different culture to yours? Well, by now you know her so well, that most of it should be easy to figure out. As long as you’ve considered her personal commitment to tradition, all you really need is a few words from the heart. Are you brave enough to say them in Polish?

3. Talking About Age

Part of the wonder of learning a new language is having the ability to strike up simple conversations with strangers. Asking about age in this context feels natural, as your intention is to practice friendly phrases – just be mindful of their point of view!

When I was 22, I loved being asked my age. Nowadays, if someone asks, I say, “Well, I’ve just started my fifth cat life.” Let them ponder that for a while.

In Poland, it’s generally not desirable to ask an older woman her age for no good reason, but chatting about age with your peers is perfectly normal. Besides, you have to mention your birthday if you want to be thrown a birthday party!

4. Conclusion

Well, there you have it! With so many great new Polish phrases to wish people with, can you think of someone who has a big event coming up? If you want to get even more creative, PolishPod101 has much to inspire you with – come and check it out! Here’s just some of what we have on offer at PolishPod101:

• Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Polish with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Polish dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about PolishPod101…!
• Innovative Learning Tools and Apps: We make it our priority to offer you the best learning tools! These include apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac OSX; eBooks for Kindle, Nook, and iPad; audiobooks; Roku TV and so many more. This means that we took diverse lifestyles into account when we developed our courses, so you can learn anywhere, anytime on a device of your choice. How innovative!
• Live Hosts and One-on-One Learning: Knowledgeable, energetic hosts present recorded video lessons, and are available for live teaching experiences if you upgrade. This means that in the videos, you get to watch them pronounce those tongue-twisters, as if you’re learning live! Add octane to your learning by upgrading to Premium Plus, and learn two times faster. You can have your very own Polish teacher always with you, ensuring that you learn what you need, when you need to – what a wonderful opportunity to master a new language in record time!
• Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Polish word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Polish level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!

Learning a new language can only enrich your life, and could even open doors towards great opportunities! So don’t wonder if you’ll regret enrolling in PolishPod101. It’s the most fun, easy way to learn Polish.