How to Say Hi in Polish is one of the first things you should learn when starting conversations in the language. The most common informal greeting is “Cześć”, which works well with friends, family, or people your age.
For a more casual “hi,” you can also use “Hej”, while in formal situations, it’s better to choose polite greetings like “Dzień dobry.” Knowing these variations helps you sound friendly and approachable in Polish conversations.
Say Hi in Polish
15 Phrases to Say Hi in Polish
| # | Polish Phrase | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cześć | Hi / Hello (informal) |
| 2 | Hej | Hi (casual) |
| 3 | Witaj | Welcome / Hi (slightly formal) |
| 4 | Dzień dobry | Good morning / Good day (formal) |
| 5 | Dobry wieczór | Good evening (formal) |
| 6 | Siema | Hi / What’s up? (very casual, slang) |
| 7 | Elo | Yo / Hi (youth slang) |
| 8 | Halo | Hello (used when answering the phone) |
| 9 | No cześć | Well hi (friendly, casual) |
| 10 | Hejka | Hey there (cute, informal) |
| 11 | Czołem | Hi / Greeting (traditional, less common) |
| 12 | Jak się masz? | How are you? (used as a greeting) |
| 13 | Witam | Greetings / Hi (formal, polite) |
| 14 | Dzień dobry wszystkim | Good day everyone |
| 15 | Cześć wszystkim | Hi everyone (informal) |
Let’s explore 15 different ways to say hi in Polish—with real-life conversations and cultural insights!
1. Cześć (cheshch)
Origin:
The most common and versatile Polish greeting. It means “hi” and also “bye” depending on context. Used among friends and peers.
Example:
👤 User A: Cześć, Ania! Jak się masz?
👤 User B: Cześć! Wszystko dobrze, a ty?
Use: Informal; perfect for friends, family, or classmates.
2. Dzień dobry (jen DOH-brih)
Origin:
Literally means “good day.” A formal greeting used during the day.
Example:
👤 User A: Dzień dobry, panie Kowalski.
👤 User B: Dzień dobry! Jak mogę pomóc?
Use: Formal and respectful; suitable for strangers, older people, or in business.
3. Hej (hey)
Origin:
Borrowed from Scandinavian languages and popular among young people.
Example:
👤 User A: Hej, co tam?
👤 User B: Hej! Wszystko okej.
Use: Informal and modern; used in texts, messages, and youth slang.
4. Witam (VEE-tahm)
Origin:
From the verb witać meaning “to welcome.” Common in formal or semi-formal contexts.
Example:
👤 User A: Witam Państwa serdecznie.
👤 User B: Dziękujemy, miło nam tu być.
Use: Polite and professional; common in emails or public speaking.
5. Siema (SHYEH-mah)
Origin:
Shortened form of siemasz, which itself is slang from “Jak się masz?” (How are you?). Urban and youth culture.
Example:
👤 User A: Siema, stary! Co nowego?
👤 User B: Siema! Same dobre rzeczy.
Use: Very informal; used among close friends or teens.
6. Siemanko
Origin:
A cute, more playful version of siema. Often heard in online gaming or among teenagers.
Example:
👤 User A: Siemanko! Gotowy do gry?
👤 User B: Siemanko! Jasne, zaczynajmy!
Use: Very informal, friendly, often among gamers or youth.
7. Halo (HAH-lo)
Origin:
Borrowed from English; used primarily to answer the phone.
Example:
📞 User A: Halo?
📞 User B: Cześć! Tu Tomek. Pamiętasz mnie?
Use: Only for phone calls; never used face-to-face.
8. Dobry wieczór (DOH-brih VYEH-choor)
Origin:
Means “Good evening.” A formal greeting used after 6 PM or when it gets dark.
Example:
👤 User A: Dobry wieczór, pani Anno.
👤 User B: Dobry wieczór. Jak się pan miewa?
Use: Formal; used in evening meetings or polite settings.
9. Elo
Origin:
Urban slang that evolved from “hello.” Popular in hip-hop and online communities.
Example:
👤 User A: Elo, ziomek!
👤 User B: Elo! Dawno się nie widzieliśmy!
Use: Slang; mostly used by teens and young adults.
10. Yo
Origin:
Directly borrowed from English hip-hop culture; used for fun or effect.
Example:
👤 User A: Yo, co tam?
👤 User B: Yo! Wszystko gra.
Use: Slang and humorous; not traditional Polish but used in pop culture.
11. Czołem (CHO-wem)
Origin:
Military in origin; literally “forehead” but used as a respectful salute.
Example:
👤 User A: Czołem, panie majorze!
👤 User B: Czołem, żołnierzu!
Use: Formal or humorous; sometimes used playfully among men.
12. Serdecznie witam (ser-DETCH-nye VEE-tahm)
Origin:
Means “warmly welcome.” Very polite and slightly old-fashioned.
Example:
👤 User A: Serdecznie witam wszystkich gości.
👤 User B: Dziękujemy za miłe powitanie.
Use: Formal events, speeches, or professional communication.
13. Hejka (HEY-kah)
Origin:
Diminutive of “hej.” Very sweet and informal, often used by girls.
Example:
👤 User A: Hejka! Jak było w szkole?
👤 User B: Hejka! Super, dostałam piątkę!
Use: Informal and cute; used in text messages or casual chats.
14. Yoł (like “Yo”)
Origin: Spelling variation of “yo” with a Polish twist; used humorously or in memes.
Example:
👤 User A: Yoł, co robisz?
👤 User B: Yoł! Netflix i chill.
Use: Internet slang, meme culture; not serious.
15. Jak się masz? (YAHK shay mash)
Origin:
Literally means “How are you?”, but often used as a greeting equivalent to “hi.”
Example:
👤 User A: Jak się masz, Piotr?
👤 User B: Dobrze, dzięki! A ty?
Use: Slightly formal or casual, depending on tone; follow-up to a greeting.
Conclusion:
How to Say Hi in Polish is most commonly done with “Cześć”, a friendly and informal greeting you can use every day. If you want something casual, “Hej” works perfectly, while “Dzień dobry” is best for formal situations. By learning these variations, you can greet anyone in Polish with confidence and respect.
