hello
"Cześć" is the most common way to say hello in Polish. It is an informal greeting used among friends, family, and peers. The word is incredibly versatile, as it functions equally well as a "hello" when arriving and a "goodbye" when departing. Because it is informal, you should avoid using it in strictly professional settings or when addressing strangers who are significantly older or in a position of authority. For those situations, "Dzień dobry" (Good day) is the appropriate choice.
In conversation
Meeting a friend at a cafe
Cześć! Jak się masz?
Hi! How are you?
Cześć, wszystko w porządku.
Hi, everything is fine.
Cześć is the standard, relaxed greeting between friends.
Leaving a party
Muszę już lecieć. Cześć!
I have to run now. Bye!
Cześć, do zobaczenia!
Bye, see you later!
It is perfectly natural to use cześć to say goodbye as well as hello.
Examples
Cześć, masz może chwilę?
Hi, do you have a moment?
Cześć wszystkim, miło was widzieć.
Hello everyone, nice to see you all.
Usłyszałem tylko krótkie cześć zanim wyszła.
I only heard a short hello before she left.
