How to Complain in Polish – A Guide to Narzekanie and Reklamacje

Why Learn How to Complain in Polish?

Complaining is an essential skill in any language! Whether you're frustrated with bad service, faulty products, or uncomfortable hotel rooms, knowing how to express dissatisfaction in Polish will make you sound more natural and confident.
In Poland, people frequently complain about the weather, public transport, and high prices, but making a formal complaint (reklamacja) is also important when something is wrong.

In this lesson, we will learn  essential phrases for complaining and making complaints in Polish—both informally (narzekanie, marudzenie) and formally (składanie reklamacji).
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Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything right away. The most important thing is to focus on key phrases and try to remember them.

​Some of my students listen to the recording two or three times—each time, they understand more and more!

​Key phrases you might find useful:

• „Przepraszam, ale pokój jest za mały.”
  "Excuse me, but the room is too small."

• „Przepraszam, ale w pokoju jest za zimno.”
  "Excuse me, but the room is too cold."

• „Przepraszam, ale nie ma ciepłej wody w łazience.”
  "Excuse me, but there is no hot water in the bathroom."

• „Przepraszam, ale kawa jest zimna.”
  "Excuse me, but the coffee is cold."

• „Przepraszam, ale czekam już 30 minut na zamówienie.”
  "Excuse me, but I’ve been waiting for 30 minutes for my order."

• „Te buty są za małe, czy mogę je wymienić?”
  "These shoes are too small, can I exchange them?"

• „Mój telefon nie działa.”
  "My phone is not working."

• „Przepraszam, ale pokój jest brudny.”
  "Excuse me, but the room is dirty."

• „Mój lot został odwołany, chciałbym zwrot pieniędzy.”
  "My flight was canceled, I would like a refund."

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• „Przepraszam, ale ten chleb jest nieświeży.”
  "Excuse me, but this bread is not fresh."

Practice Makes Perfect!💡

Repeat these phrases, practice them out loud, and don’t be afraid to use them in real-life situations!

🔄 Every time you repeat, you remember more!

🎧 Try listening to the recording multiple times—it really helps!

➡️ Want to practice speaking Polish?

Join us for our live lesson every Monday at 7:00 PM, and stay for our speaking practice on Zoom!
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See you at the next lesson! 🚀
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