Formal Greetings:
* Dzień dobry (Dzhen dobry): This is the most common and formal greeting, used for both men and women, and translates to "Good day." It's appropriate for all situations where formality is required, like meeting someone for the first time or in a professional setting.
* Dobry wieczór (Dobry veechor): This means "Good evening" and is used after noon. It's also a formal greeting but less formal than "Dzień dobry."
Informal Greetings:
* Cześć (Chesh): This is the most common informal greeting, meaning "Hi" or "Hello." It's used among friends, family, and people of the same age.
* Witaj (Vee-taj): This means "Welcome" and is used in a more formal setting than "Cześć" but still informal. It's often used to welcome someone into a room or a place.
* Siema (See-ma): This is a very casual greeting, similar to "Yo" or "Hey" in English. It's mostly used among young people and close friends.
Other Greetings:
* Dzień dobry, panie (Dzhen dobry, pah-nee): This means "Good day, sir" and is used to address a man formally.
* Dzień dobry, pani (Dzhen dobry, pah-nee): This means "Good day, madam" and is used to address a woman formally.
* Dzień dobry, panowie (Dzhen dobry, pah-no-vee): This means "Good day, gentlemen" and is used to address a group of men formally.
* Dzień dobry, panie (Dzhen dobry, pah-nee): This means "Good day, ladies" and is used to address a group of women formally.
Adding "Proszę" (Pro-she):
You can add "Proszę" (Please) after any of these greetings for a more polite and formal tone, especially in formal settings. For example:
* Dzień dobry, proszę (Dzhen dobry, pro-she): Good day, please.
Handshakes and Other Gestures:
Handshakes are common, especially in formal settings. Hugging and kissing on the cheek are also common among friends and family.
Remember that the level of formality in greetings can vary depending on the region and individual preferences. It's always a good idea to observe how people greet each other and follow their lead.