Polish/Introductions

^ Polish ^

When introducing themselves, most Poles simply shake hands and pronounce their names. However, there are two types of questions that you, as a foreigner, need to know in order to respond properly if a curious Pole wants to know your name.


 * imię /eemye/ – first name
 * nazwisko /nazveesko/ – last name

1. Jak się nazywasz? /yak she nazivash/ – "what's your name"; usually implies both first and last name, although it is used colloquially to ask about the last name


 * nazywać się (infinitive) – to be called

Conjugation:

For example: " - Jak się nazywasz?" " - Nazywam się ..." " - Miło mi /meewo mi/" (nice to meet you)

In a formal setting, the question will be:

" - Jak się Pan/Pani nazywa?" - What is your name, Sir/Madam?

2. a. Jak masz na imię? /yak mash na eemye?/ – literally "what have you got as a name?"- asks specifically about the first name

b. Jak Ci na imię? /yak chy na eemye/ – literally "what your name?"-paradoxally, sounds even more eloquent than the other two types above, even though there is no verb...


 * mieć (infinitive) /myech'/ – to have

Conjugation:

For example: " - Jak Ci na imię?" " - Mam na imię Kasia." " - A jak on ma na imię?" (And what is his name?) " - Aleksander."

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