Speak Like a Local
Essential Polish for international students
Let’s be completely honest: Polish is not the easiest language in the world. With all those sz, cz, and rz sounds, looking at a Polish street sign for the first time can feel like trying to crack a secret code. But don't panic!
The good news is that you can easily live, study, and hang out in Łódź speaking only English. Most young people, university staff, and locals in the city center will understand you perfectly.
So, why bother learning Polish? Because even a tiny effort goes a long way! Saying a simple "Dzień dobry" in a bakery or "Dziękuję" to a bus driver will instantly make locals smile and treat you like one of their own. Plus, there are certain "university slang" words you simply need to know to survive your classes and exams without stress.
To help you get started, we’ve put together this UniLodz Survival Dictionary. We skipped the complicated grammar and boring textbook phrases. Instead, we packed it with the words you will actually hear on campus, in the dorms, and on the streets of Łódź.
Take a deep breath, don't worry about a perfect accent, and let's learn some Polish!
- Cześć – Hello / Goodbye (informal, use it with friends).
- Dzień dobry – Good morning / Good afternoon (formal, use it in shops or with professors).
- Dziękuję – Thank you.
- Proszę – Please / Here you go / You're welcome (a very multifunctional word!).
- Przepraszam – Excuse me / I am sorry.
- Na zdrowie! – Cheers! (when drinking) or Bless you! (when someone sneezes).
- Dziekanat – Dean’s Office. The administrative center of your faculty where you handle your student paperwork.
- Legitymacja – Your Student ID card. It is your magical pass for 50% discounts on transport and trains!
- Akademik – Student dormitory (like those in the Lumumbowo campus).
- Sesja – Exam period at the end of the semester. A time of high stress and high coffee consumption.
- Kolokwium – A mid-term test or quiz.
- Wykład – A lecture.
- Ćwiczenia – Practical classes, seminars, or workshops.
- USOS – The online university system where you check your schedule, grades, and register for courses.
- Migawka – A personalized, monthly (or quarterly) public transport pass in Łódź.
- Krańcówka – Łódź slang for the final stop of a bus or tram. (In other Polish cities, they call it pętla, but in Łódź, it's always krańcówka!).
- Przystanek – Bus or tram stop.
- Bilet – Ticket. Always remember to validate it as soon as you enter the bus or tram!
- Dworzec – Train or bus station (e.g., Dworzec Fabryczny).
- Lotnisko – Airport.
- Żabka – Literally translates to "Little Frog". A chain of small, green convenience stores found on almost every corner in Poland.
- Biedronka – Literally "Ladybug". The most popular discount supermarket chain for budget-friendly grocery shopping.
- Sklep – Shop / Store.
- Kasa – Cash register or checkout line in a store.
- Bar Mleczny – "Milk Bar". A traditional, cafeteria-style restaurant where you can eat delicious, cheap, home-cooked Polish food.
- Pierogi – Traditional Polish dumplings. You will eat a lot of these!
- Piwo – Beer.
- Na wynos – To go / Takeaway.
- Karta – Bank card. You will often hear the cashier ask: "Gotówka czy karta?" (Cash or card?).
- BLIK – A super popular Polish mobile payment system using a 6-digit code from your banking app.
- PESEL – The Polish national identification number. As a foreigner, getting one will make dealing with healthcare, banking, and official paperwork much easier.
