Which one should you use?
The expression dziękuję is a verb-based way to say "thank you", whereas dzięki is a more colloquial and noun-based way to say "thanks".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dziękuję is a common and straightforward term for expressing gratitude in a formal manner. In contrast, dzięki is a casual and informal way to say "thanks", used among friends or peers. If you want to be informal but enthusiastic, you can use dzięki wielkie for "thanks a lot".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb dziękować is an imperfective verb, describing the ongoing process or a habitual action of thanking. The most common way to say "thank you" in a sentence is the first-person singular present tense form, dziękuję. When using the verb, you must use the dative case for the person being thanked (dziękować komuś) and the preposition za followed by the accusative case to express what you are thanking them for (dziękować za coś).
Did you know?
- While dziękować is a core part of the Polish language, it was actually borrowed from a Germanic source, making it a linguistic cousin to the English word 'thank'.
- Using the informal dzięki with a stranger or a superior can be perceived as surprisingly blunt or overly familiar in Polish culture.
- The casual word dzięki is not a shortened verb, but is actually the plural form of a noun meaning 'thanks'.
Examples in context
- Należy dziękować za każdą przysługę.One should thank someone for every favor.
Example conversation
Agnieszka is thanking Paweł for bringing her coffee.
- AgnieszkaPaweł, chcę ci dziękować za kawę.Paweł, I want to thank you for the coffee.
- PawełNie ma za co, Agnieszko.You're welcome, Agnieszka.
- AgnieszkaTo było bardzo miłe z twojej strony.That was very kind of you.
- PawełCała przyjemność po mojej stronie.The pleasure is all mine.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dziękować, CC BY-SA 4.0.
