What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "how is the day passing?", where mija comes from the verb mijać, meaning to pass or elapse.
Which one should you use?
The phrases Jak ci minął dzień? (How was your day?) and Jak się masz dzisiaj? (How are you today?) are related but have different focuses.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can make the phrase more personal and direct by adding the pronoun ci (to you), resulting in jak mija ci dzień? To maintain politeness and formality, replace the implied "your" with the appropriate pronoun: use panu (to you, sir) for a man in jak mija panu dzień? or pani (to you, madam) for a woman in jak mija pani dzień?
When do people say it?
A common and natural way to respond to this question is Dobrze, dziękuję (Good, thank you) followed by A u ciebie? (And yours/And with you?).
Did you know?
- The word jak has a homonym in Polish that refers to the 'yak' animal, borrowed via English.
- The verb mijać used in this phrase can also mean 'to pass someone on the street' or 'to miss a deadline'.
- When responding A u ciebie?, the word u literally means 'at' or 'by', implying 'how is it at your place/side?'
Examples in context
- Jak mija dzień?How is your day going?
- Cześć, jak mija dzień?Hi, how is your day going?
- Mamo, jak mija dzień?Mom, how is your day going?
Example conversation
Anna and Paweł meet at a cafe in the afternoon.
- AnnaCześć Paweł, jak mija dzień?Hi Paweł, how is your day going?
- PawełBardzo dobrze, dziękuję. A u ciebie?Very well, thank you. And you?
- AnnaTeż całkiem nieźle.Also quite well.
- PawełCieszę się, że u ciebie też dobrze.I am glad that it is also good with you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dzień, jak, CC BY-SA 4.0.
