Language /
study, studies and studying - 'nauka' and 'studia' [4]
In the Collins Polish-English/English-Polish dictionary, ISBN 83-7066-661-2, is the following entry:
studi/a (
-ów)
pl (nauka na uczelni) studies
pl; (praca badawcza) research
When I used to communicate with young Polish people about to take their
matura I used the word
nauka when talking about their studies or their studying. A former
liceum pupil, a very good friend now, is presently attending
Politechnika Krakowska, studying Biomedical Engineering. When I write in Polish and ask her
'Jak ze studiów?' she tells me off and says I ought to write
'Jak z nauki?' She says I ought to use the word
nauka when asking about her studies.
I am confused! In England, once pupils have reached the age of 15, we tend to call them students. But such pupils/students in Poland are referred to as
uczniowie. In Poland, during language summer camps, I was told not to refer to them as
studenci, this term being reserved for someone who is studying at university. This distinction I understand. But ...
Could someone please tell me when to use
nauka, and when to use
studia? At university in Poland, and among Polish university students are the words
nauka and
studia interchangeable or not?
Thanking in advance any person/all persons who reply to this request :-)
