The quick answer: thank you in Polish is dziękuję (jen-KOO-yeh). With friends, shorten it to dzięki (JEN-kee). The classic reply is proszę or nie ma za co — hear them all below. 👇
Dziękuję!
jen-KOO-yeh · thank you — tap to hear it spoken
🐌 Play slow version
Every way to say thank you (and reply)
| Polish | Say it like | Use it when… | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dziękuję | jen-KOO-yeh | the standard thank you — works everywhere | |
| Dziękuję bardzo | jen-KOO-yeh BAR-dzoh | thank you very much — extra warmth | |
| Dzięki | JEN-kee | thanks — casual, friends only | |
| Wielkie dzięki | VYEL-kyeh JEN-kee | thanks a lot! — big casual gratitude | |
| Proszę | PROH-sheh | the reply: “you’re welcome” | |
| Nie ma za co | nyeh mah zah tsoh | “don’t mention it” | |
| Drobiazg | DROH-byahsk | “it was nothing” — modest & friendly |
💡 Pronunciation tip: that little tail on ę is a nasal sound, but here’s the secret Poles won’t tell you: at the end of a word they soften it to a plain “eh”. Say “jen-KOO-yeh” and you’ll sound more native than if you nasalize it.
The word that does everything: proszę
Proszę might be the hardest-working word in Polish. It means “please” when you ask, “here you go” when you hand something over, “you’re welcome” after thanks, and even “come in!” when someone knocks. Learn this one word and you’ve learned four.
🇵🇱 A small culture note: Poles tend to thank specifically — not just “dziękuję” but “dziękuję za obiad” (thanks for the dinner), “dziękuję za pomoc” (thanks for the help). Naming the thing you’re grateful for reads as sincere; a bare thanks can feel like a formality.
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Practice: quick check
1. Your friend’s mom hands you a plate of pierogi…
Dziękuję bardzo! — she’s your friend’s mom, so the warm-but-polite full form fits. Bonus points for “dziękuję za pierogi!”
2. Your friend passes you the salt. Quick thanks?
Dzięki! — small favor, casual company, short word. That’s the rhythm of everyday Polish.
3. Someone thanks YOU. What do you say back?
Proszę or nie ma za co — both natural, both friendly. Pick whichever you can pronounce faster. 😉
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce dziękuję?
Jen-KOO-yeh, three syllables with the stress in the middle. The first sound, dzi, is like a very soft “j” — gentler than in “jeans”, said with a smile, and the final ę fades into a gentle “eh” — Poles say it as a plain “eh”, without the nasal.
What’s the difference between dziękuję and dzięki?
Dziękuję is the full, polite thank you — safe everywhere. Dzięki is its casual little sibling, like “thanks!” — perfect with friends, too breezy for your doctor.
How do I reply to dziękuję?
The two classics are proszę (“you’re welcome”) and nie ma za co (“don’t mention it”). Among friends, drobiazg — “it was nothing” — sounds warm and natural.