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Wishing someone to "have fun" in Poland


rachelle123  
21 Mar 2016 /  #1
I am going to write a card someone who I used to work with...
How would I say something like "Congratulations and have fun!"

Would "Gratulacje i Życzę dobrej zabawy!" sound right?
mafketis  38 | 10992  
21 Mar 2016 /  #2
Would "Gratulacje i Życzę dobrej zabawy!" sound right?

I'm not a native speaker but that sounds very weird to me, without knowing more context. Please supply more context....
Polonius3  980 | 12275  
21 Mar 2016 /  #3
Życzę dobrej zabawy!

Życzę dobrej zabawy! - is OK but rather formal. Colloquially people would tend to say: Baw się dobrze!
mafketis  38 | 10992  
21 Mar 2016 /  #4
Colloquially people would tend to say: Baw się dobrze!

At the same time they're offering congratulations? I dunno....

"Have fun" is much more general and less specific than baw się dobrze which ime is said to people going to a party or going out on the town, usually it's limited to a specific situation and not a kind of general good wish (which it can be in English).
el_easy  2 | 54  
21 Mar 2016 /  #5
Would "Gratulacje i Życzę dobrej zabawy!" sound right?

Why not use the same words that everybody use for Birthday, New year,Valentine Anniversary etc. "wszystkiego najlepszego" ??
Lyzko  41 | 9606  
21 Mar 2016 /  #6
"Dobrej zabawy!" is by far the phrase I heard most:-) "Bawisz się u........?" = Did you have a good time with...? was also a construction I remember, though I was told it's highly colloquial and only used amongst close friends/family.
OP rachelle123  
22 Mar 2016 /  #7
Thanks for the replies everyone.
I suppose it should be separate as I wish to Congratulate them on their achievement so far but also for them to enjoy themselves at their new job.

I hope that makes sense. I'm not sure if it will translate well into Polish.
Lyzko  41 | 9606  
22 Mar 2016 /  #8
Try anyhow! They'll both respect you for your effort:-)))
mafketis  38 | 10992  
22 Mar 2016 /  #9
wish to Congratulate them on their achievement so far but also for them to enjoy themselves at their new job.

Yeah, I thought it might be something like that. I don't think Polish people make an automatic connection between 'job' and 'enjoy' or 'fun'. It makes more sense to wish your friend success (powodzenia) or just 'all the best'

Gratulacje i wszystkiego najlepszego w nowej pracy! (congratulations and all the best in [your] new job!)

The native speakers will probably come up with something better.
Lyzko  41 | 9606  
22 Mar 2016 /  #10
I agree, Maf! Good point. Shows ya can't simply say the same stuff in another language; you have to say DIFFERENT stuff:-)
OP rachelle123  
22 Mar 2016 /  #11
Okay thanks a lot everyone! You're right I know they'll appreciate the effort regardless :-P

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