Desires and wishes

Understanding Desires and Wishes in Polish (B1 Level)

This lesson introduces key vocabulary and expressions to talk about desires and wishes in Polish. You will learn how to express what you want, hope for, or dream about using common verbs, phrases, and sentence structures appropriate for intermediate learners.

Core Vocabulary and Expressions

At the heart of this topic are verbs such as chcieć (to want), pragnąć (to desire), and marzyć o (to dream about). You will explore how to use these verbs in different tenses and moods, especially with the conditional and subjunctive forms to express polite wishes or hypothetical desires.

• Chcieć – "Chcę kawę." (I want coffee.)
• Pragnąć – "Pragnę spokoju." (I desire peace.)
• Marzyć o – "Marzę o podróży do Polski." (I dream of a trip to Poland.)

Expressing Wishes Politely

Polish often uses the conditional mood with by to soften requests or wishes, which is different from English modal verbs like "would" or "could." For example:

• "Chciałbym kupić bilet." (I would like to buy a ticket.)
• "Pragnąłbym odwiedzić Kraków." (I would desire to visit Kraków.)

Important Grammar Points

You will review the use of the conditional mood (tryb przypuszczający) and infinitive verb forms after modal verbs to correctly structure sentences expressing desires. The use of negation with desires is also covered, such as "Nie chcę iść" (I do not want to go).

Differences Between English and Polish When Expressing Desires

One notable difference is that Polish utilizes the conditional mood with by to express polite wishes or hypothetical desires, whereas English often uses modal verbs plus infinitive (e.g., "would like to," "wish to"). Additionally, Polish requires verb conjugation to match the subject and context more closely, especially when expressing nuanced wishes.

Example phrases to note:

• Chciałbym zjeść obiad. – "I would like to eat lunch." (Polish uses the conditional verb form, English uses modal + infinitive)
• Marzę o lepszej pracy. – "I dream of a better job." (Direct translation of the verb + preposition)
• Pragnę spokoju i ciszy. – "I desire peace and quiet."

Summary

This lesson prepares you to confidently express what you want and wish for in Polish using appropriate vocabulary and grammar at the intermediate (B1) level. Key verbs like chcieć, pragnąć, and marzyć combined with the Polish conditional offer nuanced ways to communicate desires accurately and politely.