About the phrases "A co, szukasz partnera?" and "Jestem wolna"

Hello Forum,

my name is Olaf, I live in Germany and I am learning polish since 4 years.
I have a problem to understand why in the Lections the coursebook is using phrases like
"A co, szukasz partnera?" and "Jestem wolna".

First phrase:
"A co, szukasz partnera?"

Literally (english): And what, are looking for a partner?
Analogously, (english): Why, are looking for a partner?

Question: Why "A co" is used and not "Dlaczego" or "czemu"?

Second phrase:
"Jestem wolna."

Literally (english): I am free.
Analogously, (english): I have time.

Question: Why "Jestem wolna" and not "Mam czas", what I woud say with my beginner skills?

Sincerly, Olaf Neumann

Hm, it could be tricky for a Polish learner ;).

'A co' is the colloquial form used in informal conversations, for example when two teens talking to each other.

Dlaczego / czemu could also be used, BUT to make it sound correct you'd have to add the word 'pytasz' (asking) after these. So:

Dlaczego pytasz, szukasz partnera?
Czemu pytasz, szukasz partnera?

So the bottom line is, 'A co' is informal of 'dlaczego / czemu pytasz' and it should not be used in a formal setting.

"Jestem wolna" in Polish means (literally): I'm available. 'Wolna' = 'available' in this context.

You're right that 'wolna' also means 'free' but in this case the conversation is about dating, not freedom; hence, the translation is 'wolna = available (for dating/meeting, etc.).

it begs for some more context

is this a dance floor situation?

Hello Forum, hello gumishu,

here you are, this is the dialog from the Assimill polish course:

Lekcja dziewiąta - Okazja na rewanż

1- Często grasz w tenisa?
2- A co, szukasz partnera?
3- Tak. To fantastycznie, ja też.
4- To kiedy gramy?
5- Co robisz teraz, na przykład?
6- Jestem wolna. To chodżmy.
7- No i jak? Jesteś zmęczona?
8- Trochę. Może wystarczy na dzisiaj?
9- Dobrze. Jutro masz okazję rewanż.

I think that Nathans got it. It is realy not easy for a beginner with my skills, because
sometimes it is not the same how polish people speak und what is written in courses.

Sincerly, Olaf Neumann

well the dialogue looks very natural to me i.e. this is the way Polish people would speak normally

"jestem wolna" can have a couple of meanings and in this context it can well mean "I have time"