Shopping & Clothing
Learn clothing vocabulary, colors and patterns, and how to navigate shops in Polish.
Clothing (Ubrania)
| Polish | English |
|---|---|
koszulka /koh-SHOOL-kah/ | T-shirt |
koszula /koh-SHOO-lah/ | shirt (button-up) |
spodnie /SPOHD-nyeh/ | trousers / pants |
dżinsy /JEEN-sih/ | jeans |
sukienka /soo-KYEHN-kah/ | dress |
spódnica /spood-NEE-tsah/ | skirt |
sweter /SFEH-tehr/ | sweater |
kurtka /KOORT-kah/ | jacket |
płaszcz /pwahshch/ | coat |
buty /BOO-tih/ | shoes |
czapka /CHAHP-kah/ | hat / cap |
szalik /SHAH-leek/ | scarf |
rękawiczki /rehn-kah-VEECH-kee/ | gloves |
skarpetki /skahr-PET-kee/ | socks |
Sizes, Patterns & Shopping Words
| Polish | English |
|---|---|
rozmiar /ROHZ-myahr/ | size |
mały / średni / duży /MAH-wih / SHRED-nee / DOO-zhih/ | small / medium / large |
za duży / za mały /zah DOO-zhih / zah MAH-wih/ | too big / too small |
w paski /f PAHS-kee/ | striped |
w kropki /f KROHP-kee/ | polka-dotted |
jednokolorowy /yed-noh-koh-loh-ROH-vih/ | solid color / plain |
sklep /sklep/ | shop / store |
przymierzalnia /pshih-myeh-ZHAHL-nyah/ | fitting room |
kasa /KAH-sah/ | cash register / checkout |
wyprzedaż /vih-PSHEH-dahsh/ | sale |
promocja /proh-MOHTS-yah/ | promotion / special offer |
paragon /PAH-rah-gohn/ | receipt |
Co masz na sobie? — Describing What You're Wearing
Mieć na sobie (to be wearing / to have on)
To describe what someone is wearing, use "mieć na sobie" (literally: to have on oneself). The clothing item takes the accusative case.
Notice the adjective-noun agreement in accusative: feminine "biała koszulka" → "białą koszulkę" (both adjective and noun change). Masculine inanimate: "niebieski sweter" stays the same.
Shopping Phrases with Cases
In shops, you'll use several cases: accusative (Chcę kupić...), genitive (Szukam...), and instrumental (z kieszeniami = with pockets).
"Tę" is the accusative of "ta" (this, feminine). You'll hear it often in shops: "tę koszulkę" (this T-shirt), "tę sukienkę" (this dress).
In a Clothing Store (W sklepie z ubraniami)
Dzień dobry. Szukam kurtki zimowej.
Good day. I'm looking for a winter jacket.
Dzień dobry. Jaki rozmiar?
Good day. What size?
Rozmiar M albo L. Czy jest w czarnym kolorze?
Size M or L. Is it in black?
Tak, mamy czarną i granatową. Proszę, przymierzalnia jest tam.
Yes, we have black and navy. Please, the fitting room is there.
Ta czarna jest za mała. Czy mogę przymierzyć większy rozmiar?
This black one is too small. Can I try a bigger size?
Oczywiście. Proszę, rozmiar L.
Of course. Here you are, size L.
Ta jest idealna! Ile kosztuje?
This one is perfect! How much does it cost?
Dwieście pięćdziesiąt złotych. Teraz jest promocja — dwieście złotych.
250 zloty. Now there's a promotion — 200 zloty.
Biorę ją! Mogę płacić kartą?
I'll take it! Can I pay by card?
Tak, oczywiście. Proszę paragon.
Yes, of course. Here is your receipt.
Shopping Essentials
Shopping Culture in Poland
Poland has large shopping centers (galerie handlowe) in every major city, as well as local boutiques. "Biedronka" and "Lidl" are the most popular grocery chains. Cash and card payments are both widely accepted — Poland is actually one of Europe's leaders in contactless payments (płatności zbliżeniowe). Remember the Sunday trading ban: most stores are closed on Sundays (except the last Sunday of each month and certain holidays). Market halls (hale targowe) in cities like Wrocław and Kraków are great for local food and crafts.