Introduction Date and Time in Polish

Mastering the basics of expressing date and time is vital when learning a new language. Whether you’re an expat in Poland, planning a trip, or just learning Polish online, this guide has got you covered. You’ll find everything you need to know about time notation and writing dates in Polish, along with practical examples.

Time Notation in Polish

24-Hour Format

In formal settings, the 24-hour format is widely used. For example, a train departure time might be listed as 16:45, pronounced as “szesnasta czterdzieści pięć.”

Example:

• Formal Invitation: Zapraszamy na konferencję o godzinie 14:00. (We invite you to the conference at 14:00.)

Verbal Expression

Polish people use both the 24-hour and 12-hour clocks when speaking. Examples:

• Jest dziewiąta rano. (It’s 9 in the morning.)
• Jest dwudziesta druga. (It’s 22:00, or 10 PM.)

To ask for the time, you can say “Która jest godzina?” Response Examples:

• Jest godzina piąta. (It’s 5 o’clock.)
• Jest wpół do szóstej. (It’s half past five.)

Time Zones

Poland follows Central European Time (CET, UTC +1), and moves to Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC +2) for Daylight Saving Time.

Writing the Date in Polish

Numeric Format

Dates are usually written in a day-month-year format, with periods as separators. Example:

• Today’s Date: Dzisiaj jest 26.08.2023. (Today is 26.08.2023.)

Verbal Format

Examples:

• Mój urodziny są piątego maja. (My birthday is on the fifth of May.)
• Wielkanoc jest szóstego kwietnia. (Easter is on the sixth of April.)

Holidays and Special Dates

Examples:

• Nowy Rok: 1.01 (New Year: January 1)
• Dzień Kobiet: 8.03 (Women’s Day: March 8)

Practical Applications

Business

Correct time and date are crucial in formal settings like business. Example:

• Business Meeting: Spotkajmy się w piątek, 1 września o godzinie 10:00. (Let’s meet on Friday, September 1, at 10:00 AM.)

Social Settings

Informal settings allow for more relaxed rules. Example:

• Friend Gathering: Spotkajmy się jutro po południu. (Let’s meet tomorrow afternoon.)

Learning the Language

Examples:

• Lesson 1: Jakie jest dzisiejsze daty? (What’s today’s date?)
• Lesson 2: Jak powiedzieć czas w języku polskim? (How to tell the time in Polish?)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you write the date in Polish?

In Polish, the date is usually written in a day-month-year format, using periods as separators. For example, 26th August 2023 would be written as 26.08.2023. In verbal or formal writing, you would say “dwudziesty szósty sierpnia dwa tysiące dwudziesty trzeci rok” (the twenty-sixth of August, two thousand twenty-three).

Example:

• Dzisiaj jest 26.08.2023. (Today is 26.08.2023.)

How do you tell time in Polish?

Time in Polish can be told using both the 24-hour and 12-hour formats. For example, 15:30 in a 24-hour format can be said as “pietnasta trzydzieści.” In a 12-hour format, it would be “trzydzieści po trzeciej” (thirty past three).

Example:

• Jest dziewiąta rano. (It’s 9 in the morning.)
• Jest dwudziesta druga. (It’s 22:00 or 10 PM.)

What date format is used in Poland?

Poland typically uses the day-month-year date format, separated by periods. So, for example, August 26, 2023, would be written as 26.08.2023.

What is 19:00 in Polish?

In the 24-hour format, 19:00 is simply “dziewietnasta” (nineteen). In a 12-hour format, it would be “siódma wieczorem” (seven in the evening).

Conclusion

Whether you are staying in Poland or learning the language online, these examples should serve as a solid foundation. Time and date are crucial aspects of daily life and becoming proficient in these can greatly improve your understanding of Polish. Learn Polish today and enhance your language skills one step at a time.

Happy learning!