Learning how to say hello in Polish is a wonderful way to start conversations and connect with native speakers.
The most common greeting is cześć, which works well with friends and in casual settings, while dzień dobry is used for formal situations or when greeting strangers.
By understanding these variations, you can greet people naturally and confidently in any Polish-speaking context.
Hello in Polish
👋 15 Ways: How to Say Hello in Polish
| # | 🟦 Polish Phrase | 🟩 Romanization | 🟨 English Meaning | 🟧 Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cześć | Cheshch | Hi / Hello | Informal, friends |
| 2 | Dzień dobry | Jen dob-rih | Good morning / Good day | Formal, polite |
| 3 | Dobry wieczór | Dob-ri vyeh-choor | Good evening | Formal greeting |
| 4 | Hej | Hey | Hey / Hi | Casual |
| 5 | Siema | Shyeh-ma | What’s up | Very informal, youth slang |
| 6 | Halo | Ha-lo | Hello (on phone) | Phone conversations |
| 7 | Witaj | Vee-tai | Welcome / Hello | Semi-formal |
| 8 | Witam | Vee-tam | I welcome you / Hello | Formal, polite |
| 9 | Czołem | Cho-wem | Hello / Salute | Friendly, sometimes military |
| 10 | Serwus | Ser-voos | Hi | Old-fashioned, friendly |
| 11 | No siema | No shyeh-ma | Yo, hi there | Casual slang |
| 12 | Siemanko | Shyeh-man-ko | Hiya | Informal, playful |
| 13 | Dzień dobry Państwu | Jen dob-ri panst-voo | Good day to you (plural/formal) | Very polite |
| 14 | Cześć wszystkim | Cheshch fshist-kim | Hello everyone | Group greeting |
| 15 | Witajcie | Vee-tai-chye | Hello (to a group) | Polite, warm |
Let’s dive into 15 ways to say hello in Polish, complete with dialogues and fascinating origins.
1. Cześć (cheshch) – Hi / Hello
Origin:
This is the most common informal greeting in Polish, used among friends and peers. It literally means “honor” and was once more formal before becoming casual.
Example:
👤 User A: Cześć, Ania! Jak się masz?
👤 User B: Cześć! Dobrze, a ty?
Use: Informal; ideal for friends, classmates, or family.
2. Dzień dobry (jen DOH-brih) – Good day / Hello
Origin:
A formal greeting meaning “Good day.” It’s used in professional, polite, or daytime settings.
Example:
👤 User A: Dzień dobry, panie Kowalski.
👤 User B: Dzień dobry! Miło pana widzieć.
Use: Formal and respectful; perfect for work or public interactions.
3. Dobry wieczór (DOH-brih VYEH-choor) – Good evening
Origin:
A standard greeting used after around 6 p.m. in formal and polite situations.
Example:
👤 User A: Dobry wieczór, pani Nowak.
👤 User B: Dobry wieczór, witam serdecznie.
Use: Formal, used in the evening.
4. Hej (hey) – Hey
Origin:
Borrowed from Scandinavian and English, “hej” has become a casual and friendly way to greet younger people in Poland.
Example:
👤 User A: Hej, co słychać?
👤 User B: Hej! Wszystko okej.
Use: Informal, often used by young people and online.
5. Siema (SHYEH-mah) – What’s up / Yo
Origin:
Short for “Jak się masz?” (“How are you?”). It’s popular among teens and young adults.
Example:
👤 User A: Siema, stary!
👤 User B: Siema! Dawno się nie widzieliśmy.
Use: Very informal, used between friends.
6. Witam (VEE-tahm) – Welcome / Hello
Origin:
From the verb witać (to welcome), it’s commonly used by hosts, teachers, or service workers.
Example:
👤 User A: Witam Państwa na konferencji.
👤 User B: Dziękujemy, miło tu być.
Use: Semi-formal to formal; for welcoming groups or guests.
7. Halo (HAH-loh) – Hello? (on the phone)
Origin:
Used specifically when answering the phone, similar to “hello?” in English.
Example:
📞 User A: Halo?
📞 User B: Cześć! Tu Marta.
Use: Phone calls only.
8. Elo (EH-loh) – Yo / Hi
Origin:
Modern street slang; a Polish adaptation of “hello” or “yo.” Popular among teens and online gamers.
Example:
👤 User A: Elo, ziomek!
👤 User B: Elo! Gotowy na turniej?
Use: Very casual, slang.
9. No siema – Well hey there
Origin:
A casual mix of “no” (a filler word like “well”) and “siema.” Often used with slight surprise or excitement.
Example:
👤 User A: No siema! Co ty tu robisz?
👤 User B: Przypadkiem wpadłem!
Use: Informal, excited tone.
10. Hejka (HEY-kah) – Heyy
Origin:
A cute, informal variation of “hej.” Often used by girls or children.
Example:
👤 User A: Hejka, Aniu!
👤 User B: Hejka! Tęskniłam za tobą.
Use: Very casual and affectionate.
11. Czołem! (CHOH-wehm) – Salute / Greetings
Origin:
Historically a military greeting, literally meaning “with the forehead” (as in a salute). Now used humorously or patriotically.
Example:
👤 User A: Czołem, drużyno!
👤 User B: Czołem, kapitanie!
Use: Playful or old-fashioned; sometimes nostalgic or nationalistic.
12. Yoł (yo) – Yo (Polish version)
Origin:
Borrowed straight from English hip-hop culture; found in Polish rap and urban slang.
Example:
👤 User A: Yoł, ziom!
👤 User B: Yoł! Co tam?
Use: Very informal, used among hip-hop fans or in jest.
13. Serdecznie witam – A warm welcome
Origin:
A more formal and heartfelt version of “witam,” often used in speeches, emails, or to greet audiences.
Example:
👤 User A: Serdecznie witam wszystkich zebranych.
👤 User B: Dziękujemy za zaproszenie!
Use: Formal, especially in public or professional settings.
14. Witaj (VEE-tie) – Hello (to one person)
Origin:
A poetic or warm version of “hello,” from witać (to welcome). Less common in daily speech, but used in writing or older speech.
Example:
👤 User A: Witaj, mój przyjacielu.
👤 User B: Witaj! Miło cię widzieć po latach.
Use: Polite, literary, or personal.
15. Witajcie (vee-TIE-chye) – Hello (to many people)
Origin:
The plural form of “witaj,” used when greeting groups of people in a warm or welcoming tone.
Example:
👤 User A: Witajcie, kochani!
👤 User B: Cześć! Tęskniliśmy za tobą.
Use: Friendly and plural; for groups of friends or loved ones.
Conclusion:
Mastering how to say hello in Polish helps you make a great first impression, whether you’re speaking casually with friends or greeting someone formally. From cześć to dzień dobry, these greetings allow you to connect naturally and respectfully with Polish speakers in any situation.
