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Anyone who has had to memorize the seven grammatical cases of Polish and trashed the word szczęście (which, ironically, means happiness) can tell you that Polish is a difficult language to learn. To get close to fluency, you need a lot of motivation, patience, and of course, books to learn how to polish.
You are reading: Books in polish language
Confusing digraphs and declensions aside, Polish is a fun and useful language to learn. Besides, what is life without its challenges? So for you brave soul who has decided to take on this monumental challenge, here is a collection of Polish books to help you on your journey.
This list includes Polish textbooks covering all skill levels, grammar and vocabulary books, audiobooks and storybooks from Amazon. Plus, we’ve got tips on how to get the most out of these books. zaczynajmy!
best polish books for beginners
1. learn polish: a complete guide to learning polish for beginners
We start this list with one of the most comprehensive resources for learning Polish. True to its name, this simple language learning book is packed with all the basics of Polish for beginners and intermediate learners, plus exercises that won’t bore you to tears.
This textbook is actually a set of three books. In the first section, you will learn basic vocabulary such as numbers, greetings, common words used at work and school, and more. Part Two covers 11 short, engaging stories (listed separately in the storybook section of this article). The third part contains more than 1000 essential phrases that will come in handy when you visit Poland.
This book is packed with examples and cultural notes that make it not only informative but also fun to read. Please note that there are no pronunciation guides in this book, but you can get the audiobooks separately.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- build a solid foundation in Polish
- comprehensive Polish lessons
- beginners studying on their own
2. polish for dummies
the “for dummies” series of books is a hit or miss. some are unbelievably good, others not so much. Fortunately, Polish for Dummies is highly recommended by students of Polish.
This book covers the Polish alphabet, grammar and pronunciation, as well as important phrases and sentences in Polish. is a solid book for beginners and one of the best books to learn Polish for foreigners who know absolutely nothing about the language.
polish for dummies also comes with an audio cd, which is great for alleviating confusion over Polish pronunciation.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- simple but not simplified introduction to Polish
- absolute beginners
- learn practical Polish vocabulary in a variety of everyday scenarios and selected work environments
3. Complete Polish course for beginners and intermediates
Written by two longtime Polish teachers, Complete Polish aims to help readers gain a solid understanding of Polish and be able to communicate with confidence.
If you are a beginner when you start reading, you are expected to progress to an intermediate level when you finish.
The aim is to help you improve four key skills: writing, listening, speaking and reading. The book does this through lessons on grammar, pronunciation (with audio guides available online), over 2,000 Polish words and dialogues, and plenty of cultural notes.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- Complete lessons with lots of exercises to keep the language going.
- Improve your Polish skills with real-life vocabulary.
- Refresher course for those who You already know Polish.
4. Polish first year (2nd edition)
No list of Polish books is complete without Oscar Swan’s best-selling textbook, First Year Polish.
Often recommended for beginners, it covers all aspects of learning Polish: speaking, reading, writing and listening. covers grammar comprehensively, with specific chapters focusing on it also spread throughout the book.
there are 30 lessons that vary between reading and conversation. this 2nd edition has been rewritten with added material more graphics and even songs. it’s a bit dated (published in 1983), but the language and lessons are still relevant and useful.
Without a doubt one of the best books to learn Polish.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- anyone just starting out with Polish
- in-depth grammar lessons
- full reading and speaking exercises (if you can find the audio files)
best Polish grammar books
5. Polish: A Complete Grammar
Grammar is a difficult subject for learners of Polish, thanks to its many declension patterns, loose word order, and confusing modifiers. therefore, a Polish grammar book is one of the best weapons if you are learning Polish.
Polish: A Complete Guide does a great job of covering all the important aspects of Polish grammar through comprehensive and clear explanations. This book contains real patterns of use of contemporary enamel.
Although not ideal for absolute beginners, those who have already learned a bit of polishing will find this invaluable. the only drawback is that there are no exercises, so we suggest using it in conjunction with other references.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- advanced beginners with an understanding of basic Polish
- accessible and systematic study of Polish grammar
- complementary resource for students who are learning from other books or courses
6. Polish noun declension
Polish has seven grammatical cases, and more if you include plural classes and gender modifiers. is one of the biggest struggles for students of Polish. this makes jarosław hajduk’s book an indispensable resource.
The declension of nouns in the Polish language guides readers through the creation of the 42 forms of nouns (7 cases x 3 genders x 2 numbers). this makes it as relatively easy as possible through step-by-step instructions. it helps that it is written in a clear, non-boring and encouraging way.
tip: supplement the book with the author’s website and youtube channel, which contain more learning materials.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- clear and non-intimidating explanation of Polish noun declensions
- engaging and easy-to-follow grammatical patterns
- beginners who are committed to long-term study of the Polish
7. 301 Polish verbs
As the title suggests, this book contains 301 common Polish verbs, listed alphabetically, with full conjugation tables for each verb. each page contains a verb so you can fully immerse yourself in all its conjugations.
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In addition to tables, the book also features puzzles, self-tests, and other challenges designed to instill a deeper understanding of Polish verbs. there are also many examples, plus indexes listing nearly 2,300 verbs.
301 Polish Verbs is, without a doubt, one of the best books to learn Polish, if you are fully committed to learning one of the most crucial parts of its grammar.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- examine an important aspect of Polish grammar
- all ability levels. however, beginners are encouraged to use other resources as well.
- reinforce grammar recall and develop Polish vocabulary
best polish vocabulary books
8. BBC Polish Phrasebook & dictionary
If you’re thinking of traveling to Poland and don’t think you’ll be able to get a full textbook or online course before you go, this phrasebook might be a great quick fix.
lightweight and easy to use, the bbc & dictionary is exactly what it sounds like.
Entries are arranged by topic, with words and phrases for every imaginable scenario. Even if you didn’t speak a word of Polish before, you can easily build your own sentences. At a minimum, you can form imperfect but correctable sentences.
Words are written phonetically to help with pronunciation. The book also includes language and travel tips, making it one of the most useful books for learning Polish.
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This book is best for:
- travelers visiting poland
- vocabulary building, especially related to travel
- quick reference for learners of all levels
9. Polish Tutor: Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook
studying Polish is one thing. putting it to the test is another. but with this workbook, you can do both.
Polish Tutor is a workbook containing 200 activities on a variety of grammar and vocabulary points. With clear objectives, concise explanations, and real-world context, it’s an easy-to-follow book for beginners and intermediate learners. It also has answer keys, so it’s perfect for self-study.
The book contains 20 short learning units that begin by setting your communication goals. then move on to new explanations of vocabulary and grammar with extensive exercises. there are also many reading and writing sections to consolidate your learning.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- beginner to intermediate
- self-taught
- building a solid foundation in the rules of the Polish language while learning about the culture
10. Polish phrasebook from lonely planet & dictionary
another phrasebook for travellers, but also excellent for any learner of polish, is the lonely planet phrasebook. With over 3,500 words, this phrasebook and dictionary hybrid has all the basic words, phrases, and sentences one could possibly need when traveling in Poland.
This book covers practical words used in real-life conversations, mainly related to social settings, food, transportation, and shopping. although not complete, the vocabulary is relevant. You can even impress the locals if you can come up with colloquial phrases, of which this book has plenty.
The goal is for you to learn to speak Polish confidently even without any prior study. And you can do that by studying the phonetic spelling and writing guides. Plus, the essential tips on cultures and manners are super helpful.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- quick and compact reference while traveling in poland
- absolute beginners
- intermediate learners looking to expand their vocabulary and learn about the culture of poland
best Polish audiobooks and storybooks
11. first Polish reader for beginners (bilingual for English speakers)
If you already master Polish grammar, or at least have a good grasp of the rules, but need a vocabulary booster, this is for you.
First Polish Reader is a storybook featuring stories in both Polish and English, arranged side by side for easy reference. each lesson contains a list of around 30 to 40 words. there are no grammar notes, so this is just to build your vocabulary arsenal.
The book uses the alarm system (approved learning machine recall method). You will study words that were previously introduced and explained, increasing recall in the process. the book also starts with low level stories and then gradually increases in difficulty.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- students with a firm understanding of Polish grammar but limited vocabulary
- learning Polish through stories
- improving Polish reading ability
12. Learn Polish – Level 1: Introduction to Polish: Volume 1: Lessons 1-25
From the creators of the innovative language 101 app, one of our recommended apps for learning Polish, comes this audiobook for beginners. the goal? so you can speak Polish in an instant.
That may sound like a tall order, but Innovative Language has well-established methods for teaching languages. This audiobook features a native Polish presenter who breaks down sentences, grammar and vocabulary in a simple and easy to understand way. it’s interactive (as interactive as you can get when studying on your own) and fun.
The audiobook comes with 25 audio lesson tracks (or over three hours of Polish lessons), five review tracks, and five dialogue tracks that you can read as you listen.
Click to: Buy on Amazon
This book is best for:
- learn Polish on the go or while doing other tasks
- auditory learners
- quick way to learn to speak Polish
13. collins easy learn polish audio course
Aimed at students going to Poland for vacations or business trips, the easy-to-learn Polish audio course introduces key vocabulary useful in important situations. narrators guide listeners through 12 chapters of helpful phrases and common day-to-day scenarios.
As a beginner, the essentials are clearly explained. if you want to build on existing knowledge, you can listen to the more advanced units.
Although it lacks grammar notes, this course helps you learn practical words and phrases. more points to encourage the storytellers. Even if you don’t intend to fly to Poland anytime soon, this will help you start speaking Polish.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- students planning to travel to Poland
- develop confidence in speaking Polish
- acquire useful Polish vocabulary and listening skills
14. I am small? czy jestem bad? (Illustrated children’s book)
Am I small? by Philipp Winterberg is a children’s book originally written in German and translated into more than 175 languages and dialects, including Polish.
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titled czy jestem mała? In Polish, this picture book tells the story of a girl who worries about her size. she meets different animals as she ponders this question.
don’t expect an amazing story. this is a children’s book, after all. but this one has colorful illustrations and is one of the most immersive books to learn Polish, especially if you are a beginner or raising a bilingual child.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- absolute beginners and children
- learning Polish through stories
- visual learners
15. Polish short stories: 11 easy stories for beginners who want to learn Polish in less time while having fun
The title is a mouthful, but the stories in this collection are much simpler. True to its name, the stories are simple, suitable for beginners, and take place in familiar settings such as offices, homes, and beauty salons.
Short stories in Polish introduce a rich and new vocabulary, but not too complex. the good thing is that the translations are at the end of each chapter so it won’t disturb your reading rhythm while trying to look up words in a dictionary.
After each chapter, there are questions to test your understanding of the story. The book also comes with answer keys, so you can check your answers. this is one of the best books to learn Polish in a non-boring format.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- beginner upper to intermediate level students
- supplementation of existing lessons or learning materials
- expansion of Polish vocabulary
best Polish textbooks for intermediate to advanced learners
16. Hurrah!!! po polsku: student’s textbook volume 1
Don’t buy this book if you don’t know a word of Polish. this is written entirely in Polish.
but if you can read Polish, or have a more patient native speaker teaching you, this is one of the best textbooks out there. does a great job of explaining Polish grammar in an easy to follow way. facilitates you in each concept, being careful not to overwhelm you.
This is a book that breaks down sentences in great detail. the exercises will also keep you busy. it also comes with an audio cd.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- use in the classroom or if you have a Polish tutor
- improve reading and writing skills in Polish
- comprehensive grammar lessons
17. polski, krok po kroku: level 1 (a1/a2): textbook for learning polish as a foreign language
polski, krok po kroku, which translates to “polish, step by step”, is one of the most recommended books for learning Polish for intermediate learners. despite the a1 and a2 tags, the book is not suitable for beginners because it is all in polish.
The book takes the format of a storybook, following the story of five people of different nationalities. despite their differences, they are united by a common goal: to speak Polish fluently. This textbook is divided into units, each with its own reading and listening material, complemented by exercises.
Grammar problems are introduced in context, so some concentration and patience are needed to fully understand the rules. the dialogues also introduce a lot of vocabulary.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- above beginner to advanced learners
- self-study along with other resources
- vocabulary expansion and listening practice (with the audiobook)
18. intermediate polishing
A fitting end to this list is the sequel to Oscar Swan’s first year of polishing. Intermediate polishing is designed for use in the second through third year of polishing studies.
This book covers standard colloquial polish, slang, idioms and reading exercises related to Polish journalism and academic text. there are also many notes on contemporary Polish culture and customs, as well as words in common use.
Just like the first-year Polish, this book is rich in grammar explanations and even includes an extensive grammar appendix. it also comes with many cartoons, images, dialogues and vocabulary lists.
Click to: Buy on Amazon / Buy on Book Depository
This book is best for:
- intermediate to advanced learners
- highly motivated self-taught
- greater understanding of grammar and larger vocabulary
how to learn Polish quickly and efficiently with books
after reading this list of books to learn how to polish, you’re probably looking forward to ordering on amazon or visiting a bookstore. But before you do, here are some tips to make sure you’re not wasting money and that you can get the most out of the books you’re buying.
choose buffing books that match your current skill level, not your aspiring level
It’s okay to dream big, but learning a language also requires being honest with yourself. Polish is known to be one of the most formidable languages to learn.
no more stress using resources you can’t fully understand.
don’t rule out children’s books
especially if you are a beginner. reading short and simple texts helps you develop basic knowledge of Polish or any language.
Think of it this way: no matter how old you are, you are basically like a child if you are learning Polish for the first time.
look up words you don’t understand
This may sound like common sense, but some students feel like they’re cheating when they turn to a dictionary.
news flash: Looking up words or asking your teacher is better than assuming or pretending you understood the text. reading bilingual readers or parallel texts is also useful for this purpose.
if you are advanced in your studies, choose Polish books that interest you
Because Polish has complex grammar and pronunciation rules, beginners can’t help but stick to academic resources.
but if you’re an intermediate or advanced student, you have more room to explore. You can read Polish novels, cookbooks, comics or any other reading material that can improve your knowledge of Polish.
supplement your learning with other resources
enroll in online courses. listen to podcast download apps to learn polish.
Expose yourself to as much polished content as possible to improve your reading and writing skills, train your ears, and gain confidence in speaking.
set a reading schedule
Books or other language learning materials are only useful when you are using them. there’s no reason why you can’t treat reading like a formal language course too. To make sure you finish a book you start, set a reading schedule and stick to it.
and ready! We hope that this collection of books to learn Polish, and the tips and tricks above, will be useful in your journey of learning the Polish language. Let us know if you’ve read any of these books by leaving a comment below!
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