Musztarda po obiedzie!

English Phonemes: “moo[sz]-TAHR-dah poh oh-BYEH-jeh”

Literal Translation: Mustard after lunch. 

English Equivalent: Too little, too late.

This phrase paints a pretty vivid picture of a person sitting at a table waiting for mustard to come with their food, and it doesn’t come, so they eat their lunch and THEN the waiter shows up with the mustard. Some days are just like that. That’s why this phrase exists!

Musztarda = mustard [singular, subject form]
Po = after
Obiedzie = lunch [singular, object form - (because it’s after a preposition)]

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Rany Boskie!

English Phonemes: “RAH-nih BOH-skyeh”

Literal Translation: Wounds Godly.

Elegant Translation: God’s Wounds.

English Equivalent: Holy crap. Holy moly. Good God.

When someone is fed up or frustrated or surprised by something, you might hear them say “O rany boskie!” Now you know what it means!

Rany = wounds [plural, subject form]
Boskie = Godly, of God [plural, possessive form of the word "Bóg" (God)]

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Jak pies je, to nie szczeka, bo mu miska ucieka!

English Phonemes: “yahk pyes yeh toh nyeh [SZ][CZ]EH-kah boh moo MEE-skah oo-CHYEH-kah”

Literal Translation: If dog eats then not barks because from him bowl escapes.

Elegant Translation: When a dog is eating, he doesn’t bark, because his bowl is running away.

English Equivalent: One thing at a time.

Caveat: This saying has also been known to start with the word “gdy” instead of “jak”. Gdy is an old, seldom-used word that also means ‘if’. Both jak and gdy are equally valid ways to start this phrase.

The first half is the most common. Jak pies je, to nie szczeka. People usually don’t finish the entire phrase, but they all know it. 

The meaning is that you should do one thing at a time and focus on what’s important, or you’ll let all the opportunities slip out from under your nose.

Jak = if/when
Pies = dog [singular, subject form]
Je = he/she/it eats or is eating
To = then [or this, depending on sentence context]
Nie = not/no
Szczeka = he/she/it barks or is barking
Bo = because
Mu = shortened from “jemu” meaning ‘from him’ or ‘for him’
Miska = bowl [singular, subject form]
Ucieka = he/she/it escapes or is getting away

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Śmiało, śmiało!

English Phonemes: “SHMYAH-woh SHMYAH-woh”

Literal Translation: Boldly, boldly!

English Equivalents: Go on, then! Off you pop! Let’s go! Have at it! Go on! 

This is a way to encourage someone to do something. It’s a positive supportive thing to say to someone. 

The idiom itself is super Polish. Thinking about the grammar, usually in English you don’t see an adverb standing alone like this. But in Polish it’s completely okay. The form that śmiało is in is also interesting because in a sentence the word will probably have different endings (śmiale [adv.], śmiałe [adj.], śmiała [adj.], śmiały [adj.]) and rarely will it look like it does here when it’s in a sentence surrounded by other words. 

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Żyć nie umierać!

English Phonemes: “[ż]ihch nyeh ooh-MYEH-rahch”

Literal Translation: To live not to die!

English Equivalent: That was worth living for!

This phrase is an exclamation of excitement when something is so great, you’re happy to be alive to enjoy it. It’s like saying, ‘oh man, living is the best right now so I can immerse myself in this thing!’ It’s funny because it almost implies a choice to not die before you get to savor whatever it is you’re excited about. 

You can say this about anything you’re happy about, from a decadent bar of chocolate, to a beautiful vacation you’re on - and anything in between. It carries with it the connotation of enjoying blissful perfection in something. Something worth living for.

Żyć = to live [infinitive]
Nie = no, not
Umierać = to die [infinitive]

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***New YouTube video!***
"The Duck Face" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhDzV56mkYQ

Sto lat! Jeszcze stówę!

English Phonemes: “stoh laht YEH[SZ]-[cz]eh STOO-veh”

Literal Translation: 100 years! Another 100!

English Equivalent: Bless you!

This is the way we say “gezundheit” or “bless you” after anyone sneezes. The meaning behind it is that you’re wishing the person healthy life for 100 years, and with each subsequent sneeze, you’re adding another 100 to that tally. 

This is more informal than formal, but even with long-time formal acquaintances, you could get away with using this. (We might talk about the more formal way in another show.) 

sto = 100 [subject form] 
lat = years
jeszcze = another, more
stówę = 100 [object form]

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***New YouTube video!***
"The Duck Face" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhDzV56mkYQ)

Co za dużo to nie zdrowo!

English Phonemes: “tsoh zah DOO-[ż]oh toh nyeh ZDROH-voh”

Literal Translation: What over much this not healthy. 
Elegant Translation: What is too much isn’t healthy. 
English Equivalent: There can be too much of a good thing. 

A phrase that I heard many times during my childhood! Sage wisdom indeed. Moderation is key. There really is such a thing as "too much" of anything. So if you see your Polish-speaking friend/family member maybe taking on too much of something, remind them to slow down with this phrase!

co = what
za = over, beyond [remember this is the ninja preposition, with tons of meanings depending on context]
dużo = a lot, much, many
to = this, then [rarely]
nie = not, no
zdrowo = healthy

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Guzik prawda! 

English Phonemes: “GOO-[ź]eek PRAH-vdah”

Literal Translation: Button truth.

English Equivalents: B.S.! Yeah, right! A likely story! 

We Poles are experts at euphemisms! Curse word replacement therapy! Finding ways of swearing without actually swearing is a Slavic specialty. 

This phrase is a softened and polite way of saying “G**** Prawda” (Google Translate the 4 letter English swear that starts with an ‘S’), much in the way we trim “Bull S***” to B.S. in English. And "Guzik Prawda" is used the same way. 

Much like we in English say "aw, sugar" instead of "aw, s***", the choice of the word "guzik" is very deliberate here simply because it starts with the same "goo" sound as the swear word in Polish.

Guzik = a button
Prawda = truth

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Za dziękuje nic się nie kupuje!

English Phonemes: “zah j[ę]-KOO-yeh neets shyeh nyeh koo-POO-yeh”

Literal Translation: For thank you nothing oneself one does not buy.

Elegant Translation: One can’t buy oneself anything with ‘Thank You’.

English Equivalent: Talk is cheap.

za = for [the ninja preposition again]
dziękuje = Thank You [3rd person singular of verb form, AND the noun form]
nic = nothing
się = oneself [reflective word, as discussed]
nie = not, no
kupuje = he/she/it buys (or is buying)

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Gdzie kucharek sześć, tam nie ma co jeść. 

English Phonemes: “gjeh koo-HAH-rehk [sz]eh[ś][ć] tahm nyeh mah tsoh yeh[ś][ć]”

Literal Translation: Where cooks six, there not is what to eat.

Elegant Translation: Where there are six cooks, there is nothing to eat.

English Equivalent: Too many cooks spoil the broth.

gdzie = where
kucharek = cook, cooks [this diminutive form can be applied to both singular and plural]
sześć = six
tam = there
nie = no, not
ma = he/she/it has. Can mean “is” where combined with direction words like “here/there”
co = what
jeść = to eat 

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Co za mydłek!

English Phonemes: “tsoh zah MIHD-wehk”

Literal Translation: What a soapy person!

This is a super colloquial phrase, and a very not-nice thing to say about someone. The real meaning is related to soap in that it’s a way to describe a person who is slithery, weak, wishy-washy, and has no spine. The vibe is hard to find in words, and an exact comparison in English is hard to pin down... think of it as a combination of "liar", “jerk”, “snake”, “weakling”, "spineless", “sneak”, and “creep”, as well as adding the feeling of something that is disgusting to be around. You don’t want to be near a mydłek for longer than you have to. It feels frustrating and gross to deal with such a person.

So, yeah, be careful how you use this phrase. If you call someone a mydłek, them is fightin’ words.

co = what
za = a, an, for, too, instead of, past, behind, under, beyond, on, at, after, to, in, as, by... [depending on context. One of the most versatile prepositions in Polish.]
mydłek = soapy person [as discussed above]

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Nie wywołuj wilka z lasu!

English Phonemes: “nyeh vih-VOH-wooy VEEL-kah z LAH-soo” 

Literal Translation: Don’t you call forth wolf from woods!
Elegant Translation: Don’t draw the wolf out of the woods!

The closest English saying is “let sleeping dogs lie”. Or, for you Harry Potter fans, remember the Hogwarts motto draco dormiens numquam titillandus, Latin for “never tickle a sleeping dragon”.

This saying advises prudence. You’re saying “don’t (deliberately) invite danger”. The best way to deploy this gem is in a case where your Polish-Speaking buddy is about to do something that you know can only backfire at them. Whether they know it or not is irrelevant. This phrase is meant to make them think twice in either case.

nie = not, no
wywołuj = (you) call forth, (you) bring forth [singular instructive form - a command]
wilka = wolf [singular object form]
z = from, with [depending on context]
lasu = forest, woods [object form]

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Pierwsze śliwki robaczywki. 

English Phonemes: "PYER-f[sz]eh SHLEE-fkee roh-bah-[CZ]IH-fkee"

Literal Translation: First plums wormy.
Elegant Translation: The first plums are filled with bugs.

This saying serves as a warning. The closest thing we have in English is “Haste Makes Waste” or maybe even “Buyer Beware” (though today’s phrase has nothing to do with commerce). It’s an agricultural reference that warns us that the first plums of the season are always filled with bugs — that we should be careful before we jump at the first fruit we see.

So if you see your Polish speaking friend/family member rushing to grab that first deal they see, or ready to buy that first whatever-they-are-in-the-market-for, and you think they can do better, feel free to drop this pearl of wisdom on them! They will be impressed, AND they will thank you!

Pro Tip: Can be combined with “Uwaga” or “Uważaj” from Episode 7!

pierwsze = first [plural, subject form]
śliwki = plums [plural, subject form]
robaczywki = bug-filled, wormy [plural, subject form] [a playful form, instead of “robaczywe”]

Note that the word “are” is omitted here because it’s understood.

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Tonący brzytwy się chwyta. 

English Phonemes: “toh-N[Ą]-tsih B[RZ]IH-tfih sh[ę] HVIH-tah”

Literal Translation: The one who is drowning a straight razor himself/herself grabs.

Elegant Translation: A drowning person will grab at a straight razor.

English Equivalent Saying: “Grasping at straws.” 

This saying uses vivid imagery to basically say that utter desperation will drive a person to do anything, even if it brings further harm to themselves. It’s a good saying to know, popular enough that any of your Polish speaking friends will know this one.

Tonący = one who is drowning [subject form]
Brzytwy = a razor, specifically, an old-timey straight razor [object form]
Się = oneself - this is a reflective word, like “me” in “I’ma grab me a sandwich” 
Chwyta = he/she/it is grabbing, gripping, or grasping at.

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Chodzę na rzęsach! 

English Phonemes: “HOH-dzeh nah [RZ][Ę]-sah” 

Literal Translation: “I am walking on [my] eyelashes” 

This fun phrase is a popular and evocative way to say you are dead tired. Imagine actually trying to walk on your eyelashes! Hunched over, head down, eyes drooping… much like a poor fellow face-plant-ready falling asleep.

* Extra Credit Section! *
I put this phrase into the first person singular so that YOU can say that you are dead tired. The bonus is that if you want to say he/she/it is tired, you would say “chodzi” instead of “chodzę”, and if you want to say you are tired, you would say “chodzisz” instead of “chodzę” [that’s you singular, informal form. Only to be used with friends/family. Never to someone you have a formal or no relationship with.] The rest of the phrase stays the same.
So now you have three phrases for the price of one!

Chodzę = I am walking [1st person singular]
Na = on/onto
Rzęsach = eyelashes [object form]

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Nowiny!

English Phonemes: “noh-VEE-nih”

Meaning: News!

Non-lesson show to share the results of last month’s poll and catch you up on the latest and greatest that “How You Say” is planning. 

Poll results:

What’s Inspiring You To Learn Polish?
A. I’m lucky in love with a Polish speaker — 38%
B. I have Polish speaking friends I want to surprise (and impress!) — 38%
C. I have Polish roots, but the language got lost over time — 13%
D. A mix of the above — 13% 

Patreon page is coming in the next couple months: www.patreon.com/howyousayfm

YouTube Channel for extra videos is also coming in the next couple months!

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Thanks to Listener Travis for the following link! 

14 Polish phrases that British people find hilarious
https://azimo.com/en/blog/14-polish-phrases-british-people-find-hilarious-say-instead

Today’s phrase:

Nie dziel skóry na niedźwiedziu!

English Phonemes: “nyeh jyehl SKOO-rih nah nyeh-JVYEH-joo”

Literal Translation: Not you share/divide [the] skin on [the] bear.
Meaning: Don’t divide the skin while it’s still on the bear.
English Saying Analog: Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched.

Clearly a hunters’ expression. Poles do have an agricultural heritage, but we are so close to woods and bodies of water, that fishing and hunting are part of the cultural ethos also. 

Here’s the breakdown of the words:
Nie = Not/No [Actively negates the verb coming after.]
Dziel = You (singular) share/divide
Skóry = Skin/Pelt/Hide [object form]
Na = On/Onto
Niedźwiedziu = Bear [object form (specifying ‘on’ what, on the bear)]

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Gratulacje! Jest chłopczyk/dziewczynka!

English Phonemes: “grah-too-LAH-tsyeh yehst HWOHP-[cz]ihk jyehf-[CZ]IN-kah”

Request episode from Listener Wendy! Since I just had a baby, Wendy asks how to say “Congratulations! It’s a boy/girl!” in Polish.

Gratulacje! = General way to say Congratulations!
Jest = he/she/it is [3rd person singular of 'to be']
Chłopczyk = little boy [more affectionate and diminutive form of 'chłopiec', 'boy']
Dziewczynka = little girl [more affectionate form of 'dziewczyna', 'girl']

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Jak Kocha, To Poczeka.

English Phonemes: “yahk KOH-hah toh poh-[CZ]EH-kah”

Literal Translation: If he/she/it loves, then he/she/it will wait.

Similar to the English saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”, this saying conveys the meaning that love will overcome obstacles of time and space apart.

Jak = if, how [depends on context]
Kocha = he/she/it loves [3rd person singular conjugation of “Kochać”]
To = this, then [depends on context and placement in sentence]
Poczeka = he/she/it will wait [3rd person singular of “Poczekać”, to wait (with intent of waiting further)]

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Lastly, sorry for any baby sounds in the background of this recording! The little Pole heard me recording and wanted to participate. ;-)

Kocham Cię! Ja Cię Kocham!

English Phonemes: “KOH-hahm chyeh” and “yah chyeh KOH-hahm”

Here are two different ways to say ‘I love you!’ Both are equally common and entirely correct. Got a special someone who speaks Polish in your life? Let them know how you feel!

‘Kocham Cię’ literally translates to “I love you” where ‘Cię’ is ‘you’ singular in the object form and ‘Kocham’ is the conjugated verb first person singular of the verb ‘to love’, so here, it means ‘I love’.
And ‘Ja Cię Kocham’ literally translates to “I you I love” where ‘Ja’ is ‘I’ in the subject form, ‘Cię’ is ‘you’ singular in the object form, and the conjugated verb ‘Kocham’ still means ‘I love’. The word order for this simple sentence is very flexible, as you can see.

Practice these for tomorrow! 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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