goodbye
The Polish word for "goodbye" is "cześć". It is a friendly, versatile greeting that functions as both "hello" and "goodbye" in informal settings. Imagine it as the Polish equivalent of "hi" or "ciao"—it carries a relaxed, approachable energy perfect for friends, family, and peers. Because it is informal, you should avoid using it with superiors, strangers in formal settings, or in professional correspondence. When leaving, people often pair it with "pa" (a very common, shorter goodbye) or repeat it as "cześć, cześć!" to soften the departure.
In conversation
Leaving a friend's house
Dzięki za fajny wieczór!
Thanks for a fun evening!
Nie ma za co, cześć!
You're welcome, bye!
Cześć is used here to signal the end of the social encounter.
Ending a phone call
To widzimy się jutro.
So we'll see each other tomorrow.
Jasne, do zobaczenia, cześć!
Sure, see you, bye!
It is common to stack multiple goodbye phrases like 'do zobaczenia' and 'cześć'.
Examples
Cześć, co słychać?
Hi, what's up?
Muszę już lecieć, cześć!
I have to run now, bye!
Cześć, bawcie się dobrze na imprezie.
Bye, have fun at the party.
