Koala
12 Jan 2012
Food / Stuffed cabbage - gołąbki - recipe [59]
Yes, in fact it's very close to the actual pronunciation of the word "gołąbki'.
Yes, in fact it's very close to the actual pronunciation of the word "gołąbki'.
Koala
15 Nov 2011
Language / być pod ręką [7]
It can be used for people, your example would mean something like "my friends are always there for me". However, it sometimes might sound weird, eg. "szef ma podwładnych pod ręką" seems OK, but "podwładni mają szefa pod ręką" is rather strange and it'd be better to say something like "szef jest zawsze dostępny dla swoich pracowników" or similar.
It can be used for people, your example would mean something like "my friends are always there for me". However, it sometimes might sound weird, eg. "szef ma podwładnych pod ręką" seems OK, but "podwładni mają szefa pod ręką" is rather strange and it'd be better to say something like "szef jest zawsze dostępny dla swoich pracowników" or similar.
Koala
10 Nov 2011
Language / How hard is it to learn Polish? [178]
Czuję do Ciebie pociąg - I feel a train to you. (I find you attractive)
Zapłata z góry - Payment from the mountain. (Payment in advance)
I agree with your wife, literal translations would not be too useful most likely. Start learning from the basics (like any other language).
Czuję do Ciebie pociąg - I feel a train to you. (I find you attractive)
Zapłata z góry - Payment from the mountain. (Payment in advance)
I agree with your wife, literal translations would not be too useful most likely. Start learning from the basics (like any other language).
Koala
31 Aug 2011
Language / Too many English words in the Polish language! [709]
"łoki toki"
Well, we approximate English (foreign) words with the sounds we have in our language, injecting foreign sounds into daily conversations makes them a bit awkward. English native speakers do the same all the time.
"łoki toki"
blutuf is funny, blutut would be even funnier.
Well, we approximate English (foreign) words with the sounds we have in our language, injecting foreign sounds into daily conversations makes them a bit awkward. English native speakers do the same all the time.
Koala
30 Aug 2011
Language / Too many English words in the Polish language! [709]
albo blutuf. "Mam blutufa", "ten laptop nie ma bultufa" itp.
albo blutuf. "Mam blutufa", "ten laptop nie ma bultufa" itp.
Koala
19 Aug 2011
Language / Is this true about Polish pronunciation of English (that some words sound identical?) [34]
Learning vowels is almost always the most difficult of learning pronunciation of any foreign language, Polish has 8 vowels whereas French has 16 or 17 and I can't even hear the difference between many of them, let alone pronounce them correctly. English isn't as tricky, but still difficult.
Learning vowels is almost always the most difficult of learning pronunciation of any foreign language, Polish has 8 vowels whereas French has 16 or 17 and I can't even hear the difference between many of them, let alone pronounce them correctly. English isn't as tricky, but still difficult.
Koala
18 Jun 2011
Language / Does anyone feel that they are not normal for learning Polish? No Polish girlfriend etc. [12]
Why would you feel ashamed? You might feel ashamed for getting obese or drinking too much or being rude or wearing dirty cloths etc. but learning a foreign language? Hell no.
Why would you feel ashamed? You might feel ashamed for getting obese or drinking too much or being rude or wearing dirty cloths etc. but learning a foreign language? Hell no.
Koala
17 Jun 2011
Language / Polish and other West Slavonic languages and "pozor vlak" :) [48]
'Panna' in Czech and Slovak has a different meaning than in Polish :)
'Panna' in Czech and Slovak has a different meaning than in Polish :)
Koala
10 Jun 2011
Language / Use of A/An/The ...... Articles [186]
It's artificial since in Polish we don't use it at all and never miss its absence. So, yeah. Especially since in English you often skip the indefinite article in situations that you still use it in Spanish, which shows you that not using them may not use to ambiguities.
I know I'm ranting, it's an inherent part of Germanic/Romance languages and I need to accept it, but I get frustrated when I try to apply the same rules in German or Spanish as I do in English and often turn out wrong.
It's artificial since in Polish we don't use it at all and never miss its absence. So, yeah. Especially since in English you often skip the indefinite article in situations that you still use it in Spanish, which shows you that not using them may not use to ambiguities.
I know I'm ranting, it's an inherent part of Germanic/Romance languages and I need to accept it, but I get frustrated when I try to apply the same rules in German or Spanish as I do in English and often turn out wrong.
Koala
10 Jun 2011
Language / Use of A/An/The ...... Articles [186]
Shit gets confusing when you begin to learn foreign languages other than English, eg. Spanish or German. The rules are similar but not quite the same and in specific situations you are likely to forget in which language you should apply (or not) the necessary article.
Examples:
English - I am a student.
German - Ich bin Student.
English - Alexander the Great
Spanish - Alejandro Magno
etc.
It's a nightmare, especially since for me, a proud Slav, the concept of definite/indefinite articles is artificial, unnecessary and garbage.
/whining
Shit gets confusing when you begin to learn foreign languages other than English, eg. Spanish or German. The rules are similar but not quite the same and in specific situations you are likely to forget in which language you should apply (or not) the necessary article.
Examples:
English - I am a student.
German - Ich bin Student.
English - Alexander the Great
Spanish - Alejandro Magno
etc.
It's a nightmare, especially since for me, a proud Slav, the concept of definite/indefinite articles is artificial, unnecessary and garbage.
/whining
Koala
5 Jun 2011
Language / Polish sayings [236]
My mother always says that someone hungry will come. :) "przyjdzie ktoś głodny"
My mother always says that someone hungry will come. :) "przyjdzie ktoś głodny"
Koala
5 Jun 2011
Language / Polish verbs are confusing/I get many results when I look them up in an online dictionary [54]
I think "suchy" isn't used in that context anymore. At least I haven't heard it in 7 or 8 years LOL
A youth would even say "suchy" ;-)
I think "suchy" isn't used in that context anymore. At least I haven't heard it in 7 or 8 years LOL
Koala
4 Jun 2011
Language / Polish verbs are confusing/I get many results when I look them up in an online dictionary [54]
"-uje się nie kreskuje"
A rhyme used to teach children proper spelling. You don't put 'ó' in the ending -uje of conjugated verbs and similar -uj,-ujesz, -uję. So the correct form is spróbuj even if the infinitive form is "spróbować". Hope you don't mind :)
Co znaczy to zdanie?? Nie rozumiem. Tylko sprobój przepisać Twój paragraf po polsku-:)
"-uje się nie kreskuje"
A rhyme used to teach children proper spelling. You don't put 'ó' in the ending -uje of conjugated verbs and similar -uj,-ujesz, -uję. So the correct form is spróbuj even if the infinitive form is "spróbować". Hope you don't mind :)
Koala
4 Jun 2011
Language / Polish verbs are confusing/I get many results when I look them up in an online dictionary [54]
German is actually very productive with prefixes. Though often prefixes change the meaning of the word entirely (eg. nehmen - to take, abnehmen - to subtract, to lose weight), which doesn't happen too often in Polish. Back to the 'skok' example, the prefixes are a nice way to discern different ways of executing the same activity (skok, przeskok, wyskok, odskok, doskok) that are always clear.
German is actually very productive with prefixes. Though often prefixes change the meaning of the word entirely (eg. nehmen - to take, abnehmen - to subtract, to lose weight), which doesn't happen too often in Polish. Back to the 'skok' example, the prefixes are a nice way to discern different ways of executing the same activity (skok, przeskok, wyskok, odskok, doskok) that are always clear.
Koala
3 Jun 2011
Language / Polish verbs are confusing/I get many results when I look them up in an online dictionary [54]
Well the reverse is also the case:
(to) match - łączyć
match - zapałka
match - mecz
to know - wiedzieć
to know - znać
etc.
OTOH:
zamek - zip
zamek - castle
Context is the king in such cases. Ambiguity comes either from not knowing the context or insufficient knowledge of the language.
I learnt from Polish speakers and discovered that the vocabulary is quite limited that one word in Polish might have many different meanings in english
Well the reverse is also the case:
(to) match - łączyć
match - zapałka
match - mecz
to know - wiedzieć
to know - znać
etc.
OTOH:
zamek - zip
zamek - castle
Context is the king in such cases. Ambiguity comes either from not knowing the context or insufficient knowledge of the language.
Koala
3 Jun 2011
Language / Polish verbs are confusing/I get many results when I look them up in an online dictionary [54]
It's difficult both ways, though I think learning English from Polish is easier simply because of abundance of textbooks and established teaching practices. The reverse is rather scarce from what I can gather and English speaking people attempting to learn Polish don't know where to start.
Though the best way to learn any language is just to read and listen to it a lot and absorb all the patterns (and then to practice it, eg. writing stuff on pointless message boards:)).
It's difficult both ways, though I think learning English from Polish is easier simply because of abundance of textbooks and established teaching practices. The reverse is rather scarce from what I can gather and English speaking people attempting to learn Polish don't know where to start.
Though the best way to learn any language is just to read and listen to it a lot and absorb all the patterns (and then to practice it, eg. writing stuff on pointless message boards:)).
Koala
2 Jun 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]
Germany was demilitarized. Also, communists had bigger support in Germany than in Poland. Yes, they would overrun Germany in no time.
Erm,is this the same mighty soviet army that would have overrun europe if not for the battle of Warsaw? ? make up your minds folks....
Germany was demilitarized. Also, communists had bigger support in Germany than in Poland. Yes, they would overrun Germany in no time.
Koala
1 Jun 2011
UK, Ireland / Why are Polish people, especially women, so disrespectful toward the English? [437]
UK, without a doubt
Poland needs tourists more than the UK needs labour. If the Brits stoppep holidaying in Poland and repatriated all Poles working in the UK, whom would it hurt more?
UK, without a doubt
Koala
1 Jun 2011
Language / The differences between these words: Oni plywaja / plyna / biegaja /biegna /chodza /ida [18]
Yeah, the difference between biegnąć and biegać is blurry and I often use them exchangeably.
I think the differences aren't as big as you make them out to be. Ultimately the same information is conveyed, the difference is that in Polish more information is conveyed in the infinitive form of the verb and the grammar tenses are streamlined.
Yeah, the difference between biegnąć and biegać is blurry and I often use them exchangeably.
Koala, thanks for your always valuable input here as a native Polish speaker! I take your point about my oversimplifying. I was merely attempting to locate the concept of aspect in a context which non-Slavic learners of Polish might understand. This approach, both pedagogically as well as linguistically, can however be problematic:)
I think the differences aren't as big as you make them out to be. Ultimately the same information is conveyed, the difference is that in Polish more information is conveyed in the infinitive form of the verb and the grammar tenses are streamlined.
Koala
31 May 2011
Koala
31 May 2011
News / Warsaw is the natural capital of Europe, not Brussels [67]
Warsaw and Berlin, the two ugliest capitals in Europe. Not to mention, there's no highways that connect W-wa with Berlin, Prague, Bratislava etc. So no, W-wa should not be the capital of EU.
Warsaw and Berlin, the two ugliest capitals in Europe. Not to mention, there's no highways that connect W-wa with Berlin, Prague, Bratislava etc. So no, W-wa should not be the capital of EU.
Koala
30 May 2011
Language / Dzwoniono / Czytano [22]
Not really. It's a vastly different language at the end of the day.
Yes, I think so.
Not really. It's a vastly different language at the end of the day.
just a question, wouldn't 'na szkle' be correct as well?
Yes, I think so.
Koala
30 May 2011
Language / Dzwoniono / Czytano [22]
"Melodia była dzwoniona palcami o szkło."
To me this sounds a bit weird, but not incorrect. Hard to tell.
"Melodia była dzwoniona palcami o szkło."
To me this sounds a bit weird, but not incorrect. Hard to tell.
Koala
30 May 2011
Language / Dzwoniono / Czytano [22]
What about the sentence "Dzwonił palcami o szkło"? Wouldn't "palcami" be a direct object?
transitive verb is one that can have a 'direct object' ;) dzwonić can't have one ;)
What about the sentence "Dzwonił palcami o szkło"? Wouldn't "palcami" be a direct object?
Koala
29 May 2011
Life / Is Lady Gaga popular in Poland? [47]
That's her way of doing money, don't get angry at her.
She is such an attention *****. I remember when she showed up inside an egg for some music awards event.
That's her way of doing money, don't get angry at her.
Koala
29 May 2011
Love / I met a Polish guy but wonder what his intention is.. [35]
You're an idiot for marrying a guy you didn't even learn enough about. Don't blame all Poles for that.
Looks like things are well with you.
You're an idiot for marrying a guy you didn't even learn enough about. Don't blame all Poles for that.
Koala
28 May 2011
Language / What's a Polish equivalent of hardware store? [9]
or Praktiker. I can't think of any other hardware store brand .
try Obi or Castorama
or Praktiker. I can't think of any other hardware store brand .
Koala
28 May 2011
Language / What's a Polish equivalent of hardware store? [9]
I'd be hard pressed to tell when exactly I heard the phrase "sklep żelazny" the last that. Must have been 15 years ago or so.
I'd be hard pressed to tell when exactly I heard the phrase "sklep żelazny" the last that. Must have been 15 years ago or so.
Koala
28 May 2011
Language / How to understand and remember the Polish nominative plural form? [9]
1. Look at the noun in its singular form.
2. Try to pronounce it in a way that's easier to do so.
3. Check the correct version.
Eventually you should get a grasp. It's a bit of a dick advice, but I don't think there's much point in learning the endings of every word. The plural form isn't as irregular as it is in German, anyway.
Anyway
ta macierz - te macierze
ta klacz - te klacze
So I think the endings are -e in both cases. Hard to explain why though.
macierz - matrix; klacz - mare
edit: just re-read your post and realized you gave the example, and not were asking to explain it; silly me.
Just did some research into -cz feminine nouns, I don't think only the last sound matters.
ta klacz - te klacze
ta rzecz - te rzeczy
ta rozpacz - no plural
ta ciecz - te ciecze (I had to check it to be sure, it doesn't appear in plural too often)
1. Look at the noun in its singular form.
2. Try to pronounce it in a way that's easier to do so.
3. Check the correct version.
Eventually you should get a grasp. It's a bit of a dick advice, but I don't think there's much point in learning the endings of every word. The plural form isn't as irregular as it is in German, anyway.
Anyway
ta macierz - te macierze
ta klacz - te klacze
So I think the endings are -e in both cases. Hard to explain why though.
macierz - matrix; klacz - mare
edit: just re-read your post and realized you gave the example, and not were asking to explain it; silly me.
Just did some research into -cz feminine nouns, I don't think only the last sound matters.
ta klacz - te klacze
ta rzecz - te rzeczy
ta rozpacz - no plural
ta ciecz - te ciecze (I had to check it to be sure, it doesn't appear in plural too often)
Koala
28 May 2011
Language / Need advice on how to improve Polish language skills [134]
Quite the reverse, you nail the pronunciation first, then you worry about the rest. If someone thinks sz=ś, cz=ć etc. then he needs to review the basics as it'll continue to cause frustration.
Quite the reverse, you nail the pronunciation first, then you worry about the rest. If someone thinks sz=ś, cz=ć etc. then he needs to review the basics as it'll continue to cause frustration.