Polish Style Guide

Contents
What's New? ............................................................................................................................... 4
New Topics .............................................................................................................................. 4
Updated Topics........................................................................................................................ 4
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5
About This Style Guide............................................................................................................. 5
Scope of This Document .......................................................................................................... 5
Style Guide Conventions .......................................................................................................... 5
Sample Text............................................................................................................................. 5
Recommended Reference Material .......................................................................................... 7
Normative References .......................................................................................................... 7
Informative References ......................................................................................................... 7
Language Specific Conventions .................................................................................................. 8
Country/Region Standards ....................................................................................................... 8
Characters ............................................................................................................................ 8
Date ................................................................................................................................... 10
Time ................................................................................................................................... 12
Numbers............................................................................................................................. 13
Sorting ................................................................................................................................ 17
Geopolitical Concerns ............................................................................................................ 19
Grammar, Syntax & Orthographic Conventions ...................................................................... 20
Adjectives ........................................................................................................................... 20
Articles ............................................................................................................................... 20
Capitalization ...................................................................................................................... 20
Compounds ........................................................................................................................ 21
Gender ............................................................................................................................... 21
Genitive .............................................................................................................................. 21
Modifiers............................................................................................................................. 22
Nouns ................................................................................................................................. 22
Prepositions........................................................................................................................ 23
Pronouns ............................................................................................................................ 23
Punctuation ........................................................................................................................ 23
Singular & Plural ................................................................................................................. 25
Split Infinitive ...................................................................................................................... 26
Subjunctive ......................................................................................................................... 26
Non-Breaking Spaces ......................................................................................................... 26
Syntax ................................................................................................................................ 26
Verbs .................................................................................................................................. 26
Word Order......................................................................................................................... 27
Style and Tone Considerations............................................................................................... 28
Audience ............................................................................................................................ 28

Style ................................................................................................................................... 28
Tone ................................................................................................................................... 29
Voice .................................................................................................................................. 29
Localization Guidelines.............................................................................................................. 30
General Considerations.......................................................................................................... 30
Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................... 30
Accessibility ........................................................................................................................ 31
Acronyms ........................................................................................................................... 31
Applications, Products, and Features .................................................................................. 31
Frequent Errors .................................................................................................................. 32
Fictitious Information ........................................................................................................... 33
Recurring Patterns .............................................................................................................. 33
Standardized Translations .................................................................................................. 33
Unlocalized Items ............................................................................................................... 37
Using the Word Microsoft .................................................................................................... 38
Software Considerations ........................................................................................................ 38
User Interface ..................................................................................................................... 38
Messages ........................................................................................................................... 40
Keys ................................................................................................................................... 44
Document Translation Considerations .................................................................................... 49
Titles .................................................................................................................................. 49
Copyright ............................................................................................................................ 52

What's New?
Last Updated: June 2011

New Topics
The following topics were added:

Updated Topics
The following topics were updated:

The overall Style Guide content was fully updated in February 2011 as part of a major Style Guide update
project performed for all languages.

Introduction
This Style Guide went through major revision in February 2011 in order to remove outdated and unnecessary
content.

About This Style Guide

The purpose of this Style Guide is to provide everybody involved in the localization of Polish Microsoft products
with Microsoft-specific linguistic guidelines and standard conventions that differ from or are more prescriptive than
those found in language reference materials. These conventions have been adopted after considering context
based on various needs, but above all, they are easy to follow and applicable for all types of software to be
localized.
The Style Guide covers the areas of formatting and grammatical conventions. It also presents the reader with a
general idea of the reasoning behind the conventions. The present Style Guide is a revision of our previous Style
Guide version with the intention of making it more standardized, more structured, and easier to use as a
reference.
The guidelines and conventions presented in this Style Guide are intended to help you localize Microsoft products
and materials. We welcome your feedback, questions and concerns regarding the Style Guide. You can send
your feedback via the Microsoft Language Portal feedback page.

Scope of This Document

This Style Guide is intended for the localization professional working on Microsoft products. It is not intended to
be a comprehensive coverage of all localization practices, but to highlight areas where Microsoft has preference
or deviates from standard practices for Polish localization.

Style Guide Conventions

In this document, a plus sign (+) before a translation example means that this is the recommended correct
translation. A minus sign (-) is used for incorrect translation examples.
In Microsoft localization context, the word term is used in a slightly untraditional sense, meaning the same as e.g.
a segment in Trados. The distinguishing feature of a term here is that it is translated as one unit; it may be a
traditional term (as used in terminology), a phrase, a sentence, or a paragraph.
References to interface elements really only refer to translatable texts associated with those interface elements.
Example translations in this document are only intended to illustrate the point in question. They are not a source
of approved terminology. Always check for approved translation in the Microsoft terminology database.

Sample Text
Budowanie spoeczestwa opartego na wiedzy. Zwalczanie bezrobocia i wykluczenia informacyjnego w regionie
Podlasia.
5

Celem projektu jest zapewnienie dostpu do wiedzy i umiejtnoci informatycznych mieszkacom Podlasia,
jednego z uboszych regionw UE, po to by wyrwna ich szanse na rynku pracy. Gwnymi adresatami projektu
s bezrobotni i zagroeni bezrobociem mieszkacy regionu.
W ramach projektu powstao 7 Spoecznych Pracowni Edukacyjno-Komputerowych na terenie wojewdztwa.
Kada z nich zostaa wyposaona w 10 do 15 komputerw dostarczonych przez Instytut Odpowiedzialnego
Biznesu. Wszystkie komputery maj zainstalowane bogate oprogramowanie firmy Microsoft oraz pakiet
dydaktyczny z zakresu podstawowych umiejtnoci informatycznych Digital Literacy w wersji polskojzycznej.
Pakiet ten moe by uywany zarwno jako narzdzie dydaktyczne przez trenera prowadzcego zajcia
grupowe, jak i w wersji e-learningu do samodzielnej nauki.
W pierwszej fazie projektu przeszkoleni zostali opiekunowie Spoecznych Pracowni Edukacyjno-Komputerowych,
ktrzy w dalszej kolejnoci szkol uczestnikw kursw. Dodatkowo przeszkoleni zostan rwnie opiekunowie
118 Punktw Bezpatnego Dostpu do Internetu Ikonk@, ktre dziki grantowi Unlimited Potential firmy Microsoft
powstay na Podlasiu.
We wszystkich Pracowniach s realizowane szkolenia z zakresu podstawowej obsugi komputera, w ktrych
mog bra udzia bezrobotni oraz zagroeni bezrobociem mieszkacy regionu, modzie, kobiety, osoby
niepenosprawne oraz wszyscy inni, ktrzy chc nauczy si obsugi komputera, oprogramowania i Internetu.
Wierzymy, e zdobyte w ten sposb podstawowe umiejtnoci informatyczne, obok innych kwalifikacji, przyczyni
si do umocnienia ich pozycji na rynku pracy.
Projekt szkoleniowy bdzie trwa do koca 2011 roku. W tym czasie przeszkolonych zostanie okoo 1500 osb.
Warto te nadmieni, e Spoeczne Pracownie Edukacyjno-Komputerowe nie tylko prowadz zaplanowane
szkolenia, ale s rwnie dostpne dla mieszkacw poza terminami wyznaczonych kursw. Oznacza to, e
peni rol Spoecznych Pracowni, w ktrych mona poza godzinami odbywajcych si tam szkole, korzysta ze
sprztu komputerowego i oprogramowania oraz Internetu, bawi i uczy si oraz rozwija swoje umiejtnoci i
zainteresowania.
Inicjatywa realizowana jest przez organizacj pozarzdow non-profit Instytut Odpowiedzialnego Biznesu.
Organizacja ta otrzymaa dwa granty Microsoft Unlimited Potential. Pierwszy w wysokoci 230 tys. USD (wsparcie
finansowe oraz oprogramowanie) umoliwi powstanie Pracowni i realizacj szkole. Drugi, w wysokoci 122 tys.
USD, przeznaczony by na przygotowanie nowoczesnego multimedialnego pakietu dydaktycznego z zakresu
podstawowej obsugi komputera i Internetu w polskiej wersji jzykowej. Prace nad przygotowaniem pakietu
nauczania Digital Literacy zostay ukoczone w listopadzie 2006 roku i obecnie jest on wykorzystywany w
procesie nauczania w ramach caego projektu. Dodatkowo program nauczania Digital Literacy jest bezpatnie
udostpniany innym organizacjom non-profit o charakterze edukacyjnym.
Fundatorem projektu jest firma Microsoft, jednak jest on realizowany przy wydatnej wsppracy z lokalnymi
wadzami. Jest rwnie przykadem wzorowej wsppracy rnych organizacji II oraz III sektora.
6

Polski Oddzia Firmy Microsoft

Microsoft Sp. z o.o.
Al. Jerozolimskie 195a
02-222 Warszawa
tel.: 0-22 594 10 00
Utworzono: 2011-01-28 13:10:13

Recommended Reference Material

Use the Polish language and terminology as described and used in the following publications.

Normative References
These normative sources must be adhered to. Any deviation from them automatically fails a string in most cases.
When more than one solution is allowed in these sources, look for the recommended one in other parts of the
Style Guide.
1. Sownik poprawnej polszczyzny, PWN, the latest edition
2. Sownik jzyka polskiego, PWN, the latest edition
3. Nowy sownik ortograficzny jzyka polskiego, PWN, the latest edition

Informative References
These sources are meant to provide supplementary information, background, comparison, etc.
1. Sownik wyrazw bliskoznacznych, PWN, the latest edition
2. Sownik frazeologiczny, PWN, the latest edition
3. Sownik wyrazw obcych, PWN, the latest edition

Language Specific Conventions

This part of the style guide contains information about standards specific to Polish.

Country/Region Standards
Characters
Country/region

Polish

Lower-case characters

a, , b, c, , d, e, , f, g, h, i, j, k, l, , m, n, , o, , p, r, s, , t, u, w, y, z, ,

Upper-case characters

A, , B, C, , D, E, , F, G, H, I, J, K, L, , M, N, , O, , P, R, S, , T, U, W, Y,
Z, ,

Characters in caseless
scripts

n/a

Extended Latin characters

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Note on alphabetical order

Alphabetical order is not necessarily indicative of sorting order.

Total number of characters

32

Unicode codes

Letter

Unicode
code

a
A

b
B
c
C

d
D
e
E

0061
0041
0105
0104
0062
0042
0063
0043
0107
0106
0064
0044
0065
0045
0119
0118
0066

Decimal
code
97
65

98
66
99
67

100
68
101
69

102
8

Country/region

Polish
F
g
G
h
H
i
I
j
J
k
K
l
L

m
M
n
N

o
O

p
P
q
Q
r
R
s
S

t
T
u
U

0046
0067
0047
0068
0048
0069
0049
006A
004A
006B
004B
006C
004C
0142
0141
006D
004D
006E
004E
0143
0144
006F
004F
00F3
00D3
0070
0050
0071
0051
0072
0052
0073
0053
015B
015A
0074
0054
0075
0055

70
103
71
104
72
105
73
106
74
107
75
108
76

109
77
110
78

111
79

112
80
113
81
114
82
115
83

116
84
117
85

Country/region

Polish
v
V
w
W
x
X
y
Y
z
Z

Notes

0076
0056
0077
0057
0078
0058
0079
0059
007A
005A
017A
0179
017C
017B

118
86
119
87
120
88
121
89
122
90

If the alphabet is used for sorting, additionally letters q, v, x are used: a, , b, c,

, d, e, , f, g, h, i, j, k, l, , m, n, , o, , p, q, r, s, , t, u, v, w, x, y, z, ,

Date
Country/region

Polish

Calendar/Era

Gregorian

First Day of the Week

Monday

First Week of the Year

First week that includes four days or more of the new year.

Separator

hyphen (-)

Default Short Date

Format

yy-MM-dd

Example

11-03-17

Default Long Date Format d MMMM yyyy

Example

17 marca 2011

Additional Short Date

Format 1

dd MMM yyyy

Example

17 mar 2011

Additional Short Date

Format 2

N/A
10

Country/region

Polish

Example

N/A

Additional Long Date

Format 1

dddd, dd MMMM yyyy

Example

roda, 17 marca 2011

Additional Long Date

Format 2

N/A

Example

N/A

Leading Zero in Day Field

for Short Date Format

yes

Leading Zero in Month

Field for Short Date
Format

yes

No. of digits for year for

Short Day Format

Leading Zero in Day Field

for Long Date Format

no

Leading Zero in Month

Field for Long Date
Format

n/a

Number of digits for

century for Long Day
Format

Date Format for

Correspondence

dd MMMM yyyy

Example

17 marca 2011

Notes

N/A

name of months written

d is for day, number of d's indicates the format (d = digits without leading zero, dd =
digits with leading zero, ddd = the abbreviated day name, dddd = full day name)
Abbreviations in Format
Codes

M is for month, number of M's gives number of digits. (M = digits without leading
zero, MM = digits with leading zero, MMM = the abbreviated name, MMMM = full
name)
y is for year, number of y's gives number of digits (yy = two digits, yyyy = four digits)

11

Time
Country/region

Poland

24 hour format

yes

Standard time format

HH:mm:ss

Standard time format

example

23:43:12

Time separator

colon (:)

Time separator examples

03:24:12

Hours leading zero

yes

Hours leading zero example

03:24:12

String for AM designator

N/A

String for PM designator

N/A

Notes

The time separator for fractions of seconds is a comma (,)

Days
Country/region: Poland
Day

Normal Form

Abbreviation

Monday

poniedziaek

Pn

Tuesday

wtorek

Wt

Wednesday

roda

Thursday

czwartek

Cz

Friday

pitek

Pt

Saturday

sobota

So

Sunday

niedziela

First Day of Week: Monday

Is first letter capitalized?: No
Notes: There is no period with day names abbreviations.

12

Months
Country/region: Poland
Month

Full Form

Abbreviated Form

Long Date Form

January

stycze

sty

stycznia

February

luty

lut

lutego

March

marzec

mar

marca

April

kwiecie

kwi

kwietnia

May

maj

maj

maja

June

czerwiec

cze

czerwca

July

lipiec

lip

lipca

August

sierpie

sie

sierpnia

September

wrzesie

wrz

wrzenia

October

padziernik

pa

padziernika

November

listopad

lis

listopada

December

grudzie

gru

grudnia

Is first letter capitalized?: No

Notes: N/A

Numbers
Phone Numbers
Country/
region

International
Dialing
Code

Area Codes
Used?

Number of
Digits Area
Codes

Separator

Number of
Digits
Domestic

Digit
Groupings
Domestic

Poland

48

no (the former
area codes
have been
incorporated
into the
subscriber
numbers)

N/A

space;
hyphen

9 (the number
consists of twodigit former area
code and sevendigit subscriber's
number)

0-## ### ## ##;

0-## ## ## ###

13

Country/
region

Number of
Digits
Local

Digit
Groupings
Local

Number of
Digits
Mobile

Digit
Groupings
Mobile

Number of
Digits
International

Digit
Groupings
International

Poland

9 (the
number
consists of
two-digit
former area
code and
seven-digit
subscriber's
number)

0-## ### ##
##; 0-## ## ##
###

### ###
###; ###
## ## ##

11

+48 ## ### ##
##; +48 ## ##
## ###

Notes: There is no standarized digit grouping scheme for Polish telephone numbers, but grouping into two or
three digits groups (usually separated by a hyphen or spaces) is most popular with users. There are no spaces
before or after the hyphen.
There is no longer any distinction between local and long-distance numbers; the former area codes are
incorporated into the subscriber numbers. The use of the trunk code (0) before the area code is required for local
and domestic calls: 22 637 22 35 or 22 63 72 235
The number when making international calls from Poland consists of three groups: two zeros, a group of one, two,
three or four digits that identifies the country and the number in the specific country.
International calls from Poland:
00-1-412-555-4821
International calls to Poland:
Please check with your operator.
The exception to this rule are emergency telephone numbers (three digits numbers), special services numbers
(e.g. taxi corporation and service providers numbers, that are four, five or eight digits numbers), numbers that cost
either more or less than normal to call to (e.g. pagers, cellular phones and green numbers, which are all written in
groups of two or three digits): 0-90 xx xx xx; 0-601 xx xx xx; 0-800 xxx xxx

Addresses
Country/region: Poland
Disclaimer: Please note that the information in this entry should under no circumstances be used in examples as
fictitious information.
Address Format:
[Title/Honorific] FirstName [SecondName] LastName
[CompanyName]
Address1
[Address2]
14

PostalCode City
[Country] if applicable
Example Address: Ewa Lesiak
ul. Tkacka 25 m. 5
40-117 Katowice
Local Postal Code Format: xx-xxx
Notes: Items in brackets are optional or seldom used. Address is always left aligned. First and second lines
Title etc. line and CompanyName linecan appear in reverse order too, i.e. Company name on the first line and
Title etc. on the second.

Currency
Country/region

Poland

Currency Name

zoty

Currency Symbol

Currency Symbol Position

Numeral followed by a space and z

Positive Currency Format

123,45 z

Negative Sign Symbol

Negative Currency Format

-123,45 z

Decimal Symbol

, (comma)

Number of Digits after Decimal

Digit Grouping Symbol

space

Number of Digits in Digit

Grouping

Positive Currency Example

1 234 567 890,00 z

Negative Currency Example

-1 234 567 890,00 z

ISO Currency Code

PLN

Currency Subunit Name

grosz

Currency Subunit Symbol

gr

Currency Subunit Example

12 gr

15

Digit Groups
Country/region: Poland
Decimal Separator: ,
Decimal Separator Description: comma
Decimal Separator Example: 22,1
Thousand Separator: space
Thousand Separator Description: non-breaking space
Thousand Separator Example: 20 000
Notes: Thousand separator is to be used for numbers longer than four digits. A normal thousand separator is not
used in numbers like year numbers, telephone numbers, etc.

Measurement Units
Metric System Commonly Used?: Yes
Temperature: Celsius
Category

English

Translation

Abbreviation

Linear Measure

Kilometer

kilometr

km

Meter

metr

Decimeter

decymetr

dm

Centimeter

centymetr

cm

Millimeter

milimetr

mm

Hectoliter

hektolitr

hl

Liter

litr

Deciliter

decylitr

dl

Centiliter

centylitr

cl

Milliliter

mililitr

ml

Ton

tona

Kilogram

kilogram

kg

Pound

funt

No abbr.

Gram

gram

Decigram

decygram

dg

Capacity

Mass

16

Category

English Units of
Measurement

English

Translation

Abbreviation

Centigram

centygram

cg

Milligram

miligram

mg

Inch

cal

No abbr.

Feet

stopa

No abbr.

Mile

mila

No abbr.

Gallon

galon

No abbr.

Notes: If the unit of measure is preceded by a number, there should be a space between the number and the unit
of measure

Percentages
There is no space between the number and the percent symbol.

Sorting
1. Sorting order should be consistent with the order of the letters in the Polish alphabet
supplemented by letters q, v and x.

Sorting rules

Character
sorting order

2. Capital letters and lowercase letters are not equal. Lowercase precedes capital letter.
3. Diacritical marks coming from languages different from Polish do not affect the sorting order
(i.e. Haek < Hass).
4. Non-alphabetical characters (i.e. symbols like @ ! #) sort before the letters of the alphabet.
5. Digits sort before the non-alphabetical characters and before the letters of the alphabet.
6. Double letters (ll, nn) sorts as two letters.
a; 97, A; 65, b; 98, B; 66, c; 99, C; 67, d; 100, D; 68, e; 101, E; 69, f; 102, F; 70, g; 103, G; 71,
h; 104, H; 72, i; 105, I; 73, j; 106, J; 74, k; 107, K; 75, l; 108, L; 76, m; 109, M; 77, n; 110, N; 78,
o; 111, O; 79, p; 112, P; 80, q; 113, Q; 81, r; 114, R; 82, s; 115, S; 83, t; 116, T; 84, u; 117, U;
85, v; 118, V; 86, w; 119, W; 87, x; 120, X; 88, y; 121, Y; 89, z; 122, Z; 90
1
@
Aaron

Examples of
sorted words

andere
ndere
chaque
chemin
cote
17

cot
cte
ct
ut
Czech
hia
irdisch
lvi
lie
lire
llama
lug
Lwen
lza
Lbeck
lu
luck
lye
Mnner
mta
mr
mchten
myndig
pint
pia
pylon
smtlich
ran
savoir
erbra
Sietla
lub
subtle
symbol
vga

18

verkehrt
vox
yuan
waffle
wood
yen
yucca
al
ena
enva
zoo
Zrich
Zviedrija
zysk
zzlj
zzlz]
zznj
zznz

Geopolitical Concerns
Part of the cultural adaptation of the US-product to a specific market is the resolving of geopolitical issues. While
the US-product should have been designed and developed with neutrality and a global audience in mind, the
localized product should respond to the particular situation that applies within the target country/region.
Sensitive issues or issues that might potentially be offensive to the users in the target country/region may occur in
any of the following:

Maps
Flags
Country/region, city and language names
Art and graphics
Cultural content, such as encyclopedia content and other text where historical or political references may
occur

Some of these issues are relatively easy to verify and resolve: the objective should be for the localizer to always
have the most current information available. Maps and other graphic representations of countries/regions and
regions should be checked for accuracy and existing political restrictions. Country/region, city and language
names change on a regular basis and need to be checked, even if previously approved.
A thorough understanding of the culture of the target market is required for checking the appropriateness of
cultural content, clip art and other visual representations of religious symbols, body and hand gestures.
19

Grammar, Syntax & Orthographic Conventions

This section includes information on how to apply the general rules of the Polish language to Microsoft products
and documentation.

Adjectives
In Polish, adjectives should be handled in the following manner.
In Polish, adjectives usually proceed the noun, however technical terms (also IT terminology) should be written as
noun+adjective: eg. dysk twardy, komputer osobisty, pami nieulotna.
Possessive adjectives
The frequent use of possessives is a feature of English language. However in Polish, possessive
adjectives are handled in the following manner: The common use of possessive adjectives in
English should be avoided in Polish.
Source

Correct

Incorrect

Launch your application.

Uruchom program.

Uruchom twj program.

Insert your floppy disk to...

W dyskietk do...

W Twoj dyskietk do...

This program cannot be run on your

computer.

Programu nie mona uruchomi na

tym komputerze.

Tego programu nie mona

uruchomi na Twoim komputerze.

Allows you to specify the

configuration that best matches
your preferences.

Pozwala na okrelenie konfiguracji,

tak aby optymalnie pasowaa do
preferencji uytkownika.

Pozwala na okrelenie konfiguracji,

tak aby jak najlepiej bya ona do
pasowana do Twoich preferencji.

Articles
This section does not apply to Polish.

Capitalization
Do not copy English capitalization. In English, it is a general practice to capitalize all first characters of the words
in titles, names, etc, and sometimes middle characters in words too. Bear in mind that this is an error for the
Polish texts.
In English the days of the week, months, seasons and language names are also capitalized. In Polish they are not
capitalized.
In titles and program, dialog, checkbox, etc. names only the first word is capitalized, unlike in English. Many
translators keep the English use of capital letters that is not correct for Polish. In Polish we capitalize only the first
letter in the sentence. In the following example the term "Width" was capitalized in Polish as well.

20

Examples:
Source

Correct

Incorrect

Fit to Width

Dopasuj do szerokoci

Dopasuj do Szerokoci

The word Web, which is a synonym of World Wide Web, sometimes is capitalized in the sources in the meaning
of Internet and sometimes it is not capitalized in the meaning of a part of the Internet. In Polish, the term Web/web
is treated in the same way as in the source: if the source term is capitalized, Polish term also begins with a capital
letter.

Titles and Headings

The first words in titles of guidebooks, sections, chapters, headings, paragraphs, captions or tables always start
with capital letters. Whether other words are capitalized or not, depends on their meaning.
Examples:
Correct

Incorrect

Podrcznik uytkownika

Podrcznik Uytkownika

Uruchamianie aplikacji z Menedera

programw

Uruchamianie Aplikacji Z Menedera

Programw

Formatowanie dyskietki

Formatowanie Dyskietki

Uruchamianie aplikacji z Menedera

plikw

Uruchamianie Aplikacji Z Menedera

Plikw

Stosowanie czcionek TrueType

Stosowanie Czcionek TrueType

Compounds
This section does not apply to Polish, as there is no special convention related to nouns. Generic information on
compounds can be found in any Polish grammar book.

Gender
This section does not apply to Polish, as there is no special convention related to nouns. Generic information on
gender can be found in any Polish grammar book.

Genitive
This section does not apply to Polish.

21

Modifiers
In Polish localized text you often need to precede the terms, especially if they are left in English, by the respective
modifier.
Example: interfejs Aero, widok Backstage

Nouns
General considerations
This section does not apply to Polish, as there is no special convention related to nouns. Generic information on
nouns can be found in any Polish grammar book.
Inflection
Nonstandard declination patterns
Gen. -u
bufor

m IV

plural nom. -y
Loc. orze
Gen. -u

folder

m IV

plural nom. -y
Loc. erze
Gen. -u

toner

m IV

plural nom. -y
Loc. erze
Gen. -a

skaner

m IV

plural nom. -y
Loc. erze
Gen. -u

filtr

m IV

plural nom. -y
Loc. trze
Gen. -u

profil

Loc. filu
Gen. -a
kreator

plural nom. -e

mI

m IV

plural gen. -w
plural nom. - orzy

Loc. orze
Gen. -a
punktor

terminal

klaster

m IV

plural nom. -y
Loc. orze
Gen. -u

plural nom. -e

Loc. nalu
Gen. -stra

plural gen. -i
plural nom. -stry

Loc. strze

plural gen. -strw

m IV

m IV

22

token

Gen. -u

plural nom. -ny

Loc. nie

plural gen. -nw

m IV

.
Plural Formation
Nouns like: meneder, projektant, konstruktor, instalator, kreator should be inflected like other personal nouns. As
a result, following forms are obligatory: kreatorzy, projektanci etc.
The exception from this rule is the noun edytor used in the meaning of computer application. This noun should be
inflected as follows: Nom. edytor, Gen. edytora, Acc. edytor, Nom. pl. edytory.
NOTE! If one of the nouns mentioned above refers to an application, for example to a wizard that allows you
creating tables, it should start with a capital letter.

Prepositions
Pay attention to the correct use of the preposition in translations. Influenced by the English language, many
translators omit them or change the word order. Be careful with the preposition dla as it is often misused. Do not
translate the English for as dla automatically.
When talking about actions and objects the preposition do should be used.
US Expression

Polish Expression

Comment

A cleaning cartridge for ink-jet

printers.

Kaseta czyszczca do drukarek

atramentowych.

Do not use "dla drukarek. But:

Nowa witryna sieci web dla
deweloperw.

Pronouns
Pronouns are used in Polish less frequently than in English. If using of the pronoun in the localized text is not
necessary due to meaning of the sentence, it is better to skip the pronoun.
Example: Allows you to specify your preferences - pozwala na okrelenie preferencji

Punctuation
Comma
Polish rules on inserting commas are different from the English ones. For example, in English sentences commas
are inserted before such words as or, and. But in Polish, in case of these conjunctions commas are redundant,
unless they separate parenthesis clauses.
Colon
Use colons to introduce lists and procedures. Use lower case after the colon.
23

Example: W programie mona zmieni nastpujce elementy: motyw, czcionk, rozmiar czcionki, to i
obramowanie okna.
Do not use colons to introduce tables, sections or illustrations.
Example: Szegowe informacj przedstawia Tabela 1.
Dashes and Hyphens
Three different dash characters are used in Polish:
Hyphen
The hyphen is used to divide words between syllables, to link parts of a compound word, and to connect the parts
of an inverted or imperative verb form. A hyphen (cznik) (no space before and after the hyphen) is used to:
a) join two words;
b) add the ending to the acronym;
c) join a number with a word;
d) replace the ending of multiple compound adjectives that have different first elements.>
Example: Bielsko-Biaa, w DOS-ie, 30-procentowy, 16- i 32-bitowe
En Dash
The en dash is used as a minus sign, usually with spaces before and after.
Example: ZAROBKI WYDATKI = 2 000 000
The en dash is also used in number ranges, such as those specifying page numbers. No spaces are used around
the en dash in this case.
Example: Opis ten podano na ss. 236238 OR w latach 19891991
Em Dash
The em dash should only be used to emphasize an isolated element or introduce an element that is not essential
to the meaning conveyed by the sentence.
Example: Microsoft Excel Pomoc
Ellipses (Suspension Points)
Ellipsis is a mark that usually indicates an intentional omission of a word in the original text. An ellipsis can also
be used to indicate a pause in speech, an unfinished thought. In Polish, an ellipsis is always composed of three
dots without any spaces between. There is no space between the ellipsis and the preceding word, but there is
always a space after the ellipsis, unless the following character is a closing bracket or quote mark, in which case
the space is inserted after that character instead.
Example: Mona si zastanawia, czy takie dziaanie ma sens...
Keep in mind the following when using ellipses/suspension points:
When the ellipsis is used for omitting a fragment of quotation, it is always surrounded with either square brackets
or, more commonly, parentheses, with no space inside. An ellipsis without parentheses usually means a pause in
speech. It can also mean a word said partially and interrupted and in that case can be directly followed by another
punctuation mark without space: Ellipsis can be used at the end of a sentence, but it is always composed of three
dots, never four, and the only difference is the capitalization of the next word.
Example: Nie rb tego... To moe by niebezpieczne.
24

Example: Badanie wykazao, e wiele rnych aplikacji (...) wykorzystywano nieprawidowo.

Period
The period serves to mark the pause at the end of sentence, is used in the dates given in Arabic numerals, and
after abbreviated words except when the final letter of the abbreviation is the same as the final letter of the
unabbreviated word. No periods are used after the main title on the title page or after the title/heading that is all in
upper or lower case (can be used where only the first letter is upper case).
Example: 25.05.2011; prof.
Quotation Marks
Quotation marks are used when referring to quoted text. The correct Polish quotation marks are lower-upper.
In English, when the text between quotation marks appears at the end of the sentence, the period may appear
inside the quotation marks. In Polish, the period should go outside the quotation marks. Even if the whole
sentence is between quotation marks, the period goes outside.
In US source strings, you may find software references surrounded by English quotation marks. In Polish, it is
required due to technical or compilation reasons, straight double quotation marks "" are used.
Example: Wpisz "CHOICE /?", aby wywietli sposb uycia.
Parentheses
In English, there is no space between the parentheses and the text inside them. The same is in Polish.
Example: Nacinij przycisk Save (Zapisz).

Singular & Plural

While translating, you should pay special attention to the English nouns that are used:
Example:
Source

Target

only in the singular form

information

informacja, informacje

only in the plural form

series

seria, serie

both in plural and singular forms

menu, menus

menu

We should remember that in English compound nouns such as "style sheet" both nouns are usually singular,
even if the meaning is "the sheet of styles". The following example shows this common translation error.
Source

Correct

Incorrect

User style sheet

Arkusz stylw uytkownika

Arkusz stylu uytkownika

The exception from the above rules is the singular-only English nouns that are plural in Polish. The example
below shows the "direct" singular English - singular Polish translation of the noun "informacje".

25

Source

Correct

Incorrect

Set Account Information

Ustaw informacje o koncie

Ustaw informacj o koncie

Split Infinitive
This section does not apply to Polish.

Subjunctive
This section does not apply to Polish.

Non-Breaking Spaces
Example:
Non-breaking space (CTRL + SHIFT + SPACE) is used in Polish as a thousand separator and to avoid leaving
the one-letter words as w, z, i at the end of the line.
Example: 20 000; w witrynie

Syntax
Syntax differs between Polish and English in the following ways:
1. The use of the passive voice in English is a lot more common than in Polish. In Polish the passive voice is
avoided and Polish text with many passive sentences does not sound natural. Instead of it we can use
impersonal forms or build phrases in the active voice. For example, the English sentence in the passive
can be translated into Polish as follows:

Source

Correct

Incorrect

A conference ID was given to every

member.

Kady uczestnik otrzyma

identyfikator konferencji.

Identyfikator konferencji zosta dany

kademu uczestnikowi.

Verbs
When translating the text in English you have to remember that the end users are people of all ages, females and
males. You have to choose appropriate vocabulary and you must remember to select verbs which do NOT
discriminate any of the sexes.
Example:
Correct

Incorrect

Jeli bdziesz wykonywa

Jeli bdziesz wykonywa

Jeli bdziesz wykonywaa
26

Correct

Incorrect

Aby zmieni

Kiedy bdziesz chcia zmieni

Kiedy bdziesz chciaa zmieni

In English software, you often find that verbs are used as names for buttons, check boxes, commands, menus
and options. Those verbs are translated into Polish also as verbs, but always in the imperative mood and where
possible in the perfect form (forma dokonana, tryb rozkazujcy).
Example: Zapisz, Wytnij, Wklej
However, the above rule does not cover all Polish verbs. There are several exceptions:
1. There are verbs that do not have the perfect form in Polish: Cancel Anuluj, Continue Kontynuuj
2. Some verbs are traditionally translated in the imperfect form in the localized Microsoft software: Allow
Zezwalaj; Browse Przegldaj
3. Verbs with one-letter prefix in the perfect form are not used in Microsoft localized software, the imperfect
form is used: Minimalizuj (NOT: Zminimalizuj); Porzdkuj (NOT: Uporzdkuj)
4. Normally most of verbs with prefixes of two or more letters stay in the perfect form (recommended):
Zainstaluj. However, there are exceptions (legacy of previous Microsoft localizations), e.g. Drukuj (not
Wydrukuj).
5. The imperfect form is used in all negations and with prepositions of frequency (like always, often): Do not
save Nie zapisuj; Always paste Zawsze wklejaj. Remember also that the perfect form is used with the
prepositions of method: Zapisz automatycznie (NOT: Zapisuj automatycznie); Usu kaskadowo (NOT:
Usuwaj kaskadowo).
Continuous operations are usually expressed in English with a gerund, which should be translated into Polish as a
present time.
Example:
Source

Target

I am waiting for registration.

Czekam na rejestracj.

Word Order
There are no strict rules concerning the word order in Polish. Remember that non-standard word order is difficult
to interpret.
Example: Sama lektura przynosi pocieszenie can be interpreted in several ways.

27

Style and Tone Considerations

This section focuses on higher-level considerations for audience, style, tone, and voice.

Audience
Software products have a broad audience, so the text should be inclusive and nondiscriminatory. Terminology
should not make users feel that the product is not for them.
Example:
Do: Znajd wymarzon osob.
Dont: Znajd mczyzn swoich marze. (Limits the audience to those who date men)
Do: Nie wprowadzono hasa.
Dont: Nie wprowadzie hasa. (Limits the audience to those who are men)

Style
Use simple, direct words. Editorial style must be clear, simple, and correct. Use the simplest and most specific
word possible. For example, use ponadto instead of a na dodatek.
Use precise words. When it works with the tone and voice, use one-word nouns and verbs. Nouns and verbs
containing multiple words, such as odnosi si z wyrozumiaoci, doprowadzi do kresu, and osoby stojce na
czele, can be mistakenly interpreted as individual terms instead of the noun or verb phrase. One-word terms,
such as tolerowa, zakoczy, and liderzy, are easier to interpret.
Avoid idiomatic and colloquial expressions. Idioms can confuse non-native speakers, and they take extra time to
translate. For example, the Polish equivalent of Kill two birds with one stone is Upiec dwie pieczenie przy jednym
ogniu.
Avoid surprising or humorous word choices, slang, and sarcasm. Puns and coined phrases can be difficult to
interpret, and non-native speakers might not recognize humor or sarcasm.
Avoid acronyms and abbreviations (except if the meaning is obvious, as in St. Petersburg), or use them sparingly
and define them in context. For example, WA is the abbreviation for Washington, a state in the United States, and
for Western Australia.
Use one term for one concept, and use terms consistently. Although the use of synonyms might be more
interesting to read, worldwide users might assume that your choice of a different term indicates a subtle
distinction in meaning. For example, choose between wcz, uruchom, or otwrz aplikacj, and be consistent.

28

If a term describing a concept already exists, use it. Use terms that already exist, and avoid using slang terms and
loan translations. Most of the users are most familiar with the standard meaning. For example, use zakoczy
sesj instead of skili sesj or ubi sesj. Are you unsure if a specific term already exists?
Define emerging terminology in the text. Emerging terminology might not be defined in most dictionaries. Use
common terminology when possible.
Before adopting a new term, make sure an equivalent term doesnt already exist. Verify spelling and hyphenation
of new terms. Check Polish language dictionaries, other Microsoft product glossaries and documentation, and
Websites, and standards organizations such as the Polish committee for standardization (PKN).
Send new high-level terms/phrases for approval, along with associated screen shots
Avoid using jargon and creating words. skalowalno, spam, pecet are all good examples. If you must use these
terms, define them near the beginning of every section or article. Jargon is also frequently based on metaphor or
U.S. business practices, which might not make sense to worldwide users.

Tone
Tone refers to a writer's attitude toward the reader and the subject matter. Tone creates a personality and affects
the audience's reaction to what is being said. For example, you would use a different tone to write an executive
summary (formal) than you would to write a letter to your cousin (very casual). When writing UI text for Microsoft
products, imagine that you are helping a friend use the product for the first time. This person is not your best
friend or significant other, but instead, a neighbor or family friend. Users should feel comfortable and at home
when using Microsoft products, but the language should not feel presumptuous or too familiar.

Voice
When translating software you have to remember that the end users are people of all ages, females and males.
You have to choose appropriate vocabulary and you must remember to select verbs which do NOT discriminate
any of the sexes.
Example:
English

Translation

You are now connected to the Internet.

Poczono si z Internetem.

29

Localization Guidelines
This section contains guidelines for localization into Polish.

General Considerations
In the area of software localization (which in this context also includes printed and online documentation, web
sites, manuals, help files, license agreements and packaging), the quality of the language is an essential
precondition for the usability of the product. The users can only apply the localized product efficiently if they fully
understand it. Additionally the quality of the language has a direct impact on the product image. A product that
reflects in-depth knowledge of the target market and has the "Look and Feel" of a product originally written in the
language of that market will always have an advantage over products that sound "translated."
This section contains set of guidelines, which should be applied when localizing English software and help into
Polish. There is also a section of the style guide where you find other general guidelines that are used mainly for
localization of documentation. In order to ensure that you are using current terminology and phrases, please,
always look for the translations in the most recent version of the Microsoft terminology databases and other
approved glossaries or reference EDB files. Consistent use of Microsoft approved terminology in all localized
products is one of the major factors in achieving required quality of the localized products.

Abbreviations
Common Abbreviations
You might need to abbreviate some words in the UI (mainly buttons or options names) due to lack of space. This
can be done in the following ways:
1. An abbreviation of a single word should be ended with a consonant.
2. If the abbreviation ends with a soft consonant that is marked by a letter i in the full form of the word, e.g.
godzina, osiedle, then in the abbreviation the hard consonant only should be used. Example: godz., os.
not god., o.
3. A period is placed after abbreviated words except when the final letter of the abbreviation is the same as
the final letter of the unabbreviated word.
List of common abbreviations:
Expression

Acceptable Abbreviation

zobacz

zob.

wedug

wg

midzy innymi

m.in.

do spraw

ds.

30

Accessibility
Please check with each product team the accessibility requirement for each product.

Acronyms
Acronyms are words made up of the initial letters of major parts of a compound term. Some well-known examples
are WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), OLE (Object Linking and Embedding), or RAM (Random
Access Memory). Abbreviations that end with vowels in the pronunciation should not be inflected, for example:
GUI (Graphical User Interface), SAA (Systems Application Architecture). In case of abbreviations that consist of
capital letters only and end with consonants, choose one of the following methods:
do not inflect, for example: Po znaku zgoszenia systemu MS-DOS,
inflect with an appropriate declination pattern, and separate the inflectional ending (always in small letters) from
the stem with a dash, for example: zakupiony w IBM-ie.

Localized Acronyms
Example:
Source Abbreviation

Localized Abbreviation

CC

DW

BCC

UDW

CPI

WWK

federal tax ID

NIP

Unlocalized Acronyms
If the English acronym is kept in the Polish text, it should be followed by the full English and (if possible) also
contain a translation into the target language.
Example: FDA (Food and Drug Administration, Agencja ds. ywnoci i Lekw) amerykaska agencja rzdowa
zostaa utworzona w 1906 roku.

Applications, Products, and Features

Application/product names are often trademarked or may be trademarked in the future and are therefore rarely
translated. Occasionally, feature names are trademarked, too (e.g. IntelliSense). Before translating any
application, product, or feature name, please verify that it is in fact translatable and not protected in any way.
Product names are often trademarked or may be trademarked in the future and product names are therefore
rarely translated. The rule is that product names are not translated if they include the word Microsoft and/or they
are registered as trademarks (e.g. Microsoft Draw or Microsoft Graph). The preposition "for" is usually translated
(e.g. "Word for Windows" is "Word dla Windows" but "Visual Basic for Applications" is "Visual Basic for
Applications").
31

Feature names are usually localized but, occasionally, feature names are trademarked, too (e.g. IntelliSense). It
is very important to set the correct translation at the very beginning of the localization process. In documentation
as well as in the software different names can be used for the same products: with the word "Microsoft" or
without. In this case only one rule must be applied.
ENGLISH

POLISH

Microsoft Mouse

Microsoft Mouse

Microsoft Office Word for Windows

Microsoft Office Word dla Windows

Windows for Workgroups

Windows for Workgroups

Microsoft Chat

Microsoft Chat

Frequent Errors
Grammar
Errors occur when parts of the sentence are changed or updated but the whole sentence is not modified to be
grammatically correct. In the following example we can see that the translation of the first part of the sentence had
been apparently changed whereas the second part was not inflected to reflect this change.
Example: Wymaga to wpisania informacji w formularzu zamwienia, w tym numer karty kredytowej.
Another typical error is made when declining words that expanded their meaning or are new in the field of
computers. The following examples show the words "folder" and "toner" were inflected with the inaccurate
declination pattern.
Example: Wybierz lokalizacj foldera
Many translators keep the English use of capital letters that is not correct for Polish. In Polish we capitalize only
the first letter in the sentence. In the following example the term "Width" was capitalized in Polish as well.
Example: Dopasuj do Szerokoci
Language Standards Used In Microsoft
Adding descriptions: One of the most common errors is omitting a description before names of products,
objects, etc. or trying to inflect the English name with the Polish ending.
Example: Wszystkie polecenia Worda, Inna prezentacja PowerPoint, Zamknij Windows
In Polish localized text you always need to add the description before the names of the objects, menus,
commands, dialog box elements, icons, etc.

32

Avoiding forms "Twj, Twojego, ten, tego" etc.: Opposite to English, Polish phrases are usually translated in
the impersonal form. Therefore, we usually omit words like "your" and "this" or translate "your computer" as "this
computer". As it is not always possible to replace "your" with this" or omit it altogether, in the example below
"user's preferences" were used instead of "your preferences".
Example: Pozwala na okrelenie konfiguracji gonikw, tak aby jak najlepiej bya ona dopasowana do Twoich
preferencji.

Fictitious Information
Fictitious content is legally sensitive material and as such cannot be handled as a pure terminology or localization
issue. Below is some basic information and contact points when dealing with fictitious content:
Vendors and Localizers are not allowed to create their own fictitious names. You must either use the source
names or use the list of legally approved names.

Recurring Patterns
When translating titles there are certain recurrent patterns that you should pay attention to, as indicated below:

ENGLISH

POLISH

What's New in <productname>

Co nowego w programie <nazwa_programu>

Getting Started with <productname>

Wprowadzenie do programu <nazwa_programu>

Installing and Configuring <productname>

Instalowanie i konfigurowanie programu

<nazwa_programu>

Standardized Translations
Neologisms
Prepositions and other parts of speech used with neologisms depend on their semantic collocations
Example:
SOURCE

TARGET

Convert directory to file.

Konwertuj katalog na plik.

The verb konwertowa is used together with the preposition na, not with the prepositions do or w, because
semantically it is similar to the verb przetwarza. The preposition w is used together with the verb przeksztaca.

33

Deceiving Sentences
The following sentences probably cannot be translated properly and accurately into Polish. The best solution is to
translate them in the following way:
Examples:
SOURCE

TARGET

One or more parameters were invalid.

Co najmniej jeden parametr jest nieprawidowy.

Deleted one or more files.

Usunito jeden lub wicej plikw.

One or more files were corrupted.

Nastpio uszkodzenie jednego lub wikszej liczby plikw.

Avoid Copying Grammar Structures

It is recommended to avoid copying English grammar structures, which are especially inappropriate in sentences
like: "Moesz ..." (You can...);
Example:
SOURCE

TARGET

Initially, Works displays the Toolbar and ruler when

you create a new document, but you can turn off the
display if you would like more workspace.

Przy tworzeniu nowego dokumentu w programie Works s

wywietlane pasek narzdzi i linijka. Jeeli jest potrzebny
wikszy obszar roboczy, pasek narzdzi i linijk mona
wyczy.

Simplicity
Terminology and phrases used in the translation should be as understandable and simple as possible.
Examples:
CORRECT

INCORRECT

Czy masz system Windows?

Czy posiadasz system Windows?

Usuwa

dokonywa usunicia

konwertowa

dokonywa konwersji

liczba komputerw

ilo komputerw (BUT: ilo wody)

inicjowanie

inicjacja
34

CORRECT

INCORRECT

przez, za pomoc, dziki

poprzez

oprcz

poza

przez duszy czas

przez duszy okres czasu

za pomoc polecenia

przy pomocy polecenia (BUT: przy pomocy kolegi)

unikatowy

unikalny

wywoywa funkcj

woa funkcj

korzysta, uywa, stosowa

wykorzystywa

Accuracy
One of the most often an error is using incorrect Polish counterparts, which at first glance seem to be obvious
translations of a given word.
Examples:
Source

Correct

Incorrect

start

uruchomienie

start

restart

ponowne uruchomienie

restart

compatible

zgodny

kompatybilny

result

wynik

rezultat

line

wiersz lub linia

linia

selection

wybr lub zaznaczenie

selekcja

details

szczegy

detale

error message

komunikat o bdzie

komunikat bdu

actual

biecy

aktualny

start

uruchomienie

start

35

While translating, you should pay special attention to the English nouns that are used:
SOURCE

TARGET

only in the singular form

information

informacja, informacje

only in the plural form

series

seria, serie

both in plural and singular forms

menu, menus

menu

SOURCE

CORRECT

INCORRECT

Windows Series

Seria Windows

Serie Windows

For more information...

Wicej informacji...

Dalsz informacj...

Examples:

Polish terminology should also be translated accurately.

Examples:
SOURCE

CORRECT

INCORRECT

group icon

ikona grupy

grupa ikony

Group icons

grupuj ikony; ikony grup

ikony grupy, grupa ikon

BUT: shortcut keys

klawisze skrtu

klawisze skrtw

Word Order
Word order is extremely important. In Polish, adjectives are usually placed before nouns that they refer to.
Adjectives placed after nouns describe permanent features or are parts of proper names:
Examples:
CORRECT

INCORRECT

instalacja pena

pena instalacja

dysk twardy

twardy dysk

Personifications
Common errors are personifications of things and ideas. To avoid it, use the following structures:

36

Examples:
CORRECT

INCORRECT

W rozdziale przedstawiono...

Rozdzia przedstawia...

Na ekranie pojawi si pytanie...

Komputer zapyta...

W programie zaoono, e...

Pokazany program zakada,...

W podrczniku opisano

Podrcznik opisuje

Nonstandard Declination Patterns

Nouns like: meneder, projektant, konstruktor, instalator, kreator should be inflected like other personal nouns. As
a result, following forms are obligatory: kreatorzy, projektanci etc.
The exception from this rule is the noun edytor used in the meaning of computer application. This noun should be
inflected as follows: Nom. edytor, Gen. edytora, Acc. edytor, Nom. pl. edytory.
NOTE! If one of the nouns mentioned above refers to an application, for example to a wizard that allows you
creating tables, it should start with a capital letter.
Examples:
W programie X s dostpni nastpujcy projektanci:
Tabela zostanie utworzona za pomoc Kreatora tabel.

Non-translatable Proper Names

Properties and device, application, folder, file, command or feature names that are not translated are also not
inflected. Instead of that, it is recommended to insert before such a word the name of the object class that it
belongs to.
Examples:
SOURCE

TARGET

Moveable is read/write at run time.

Waciwo Moveable jest do odczytu/zapisu w czasie

wykonywania aplikacji.

Unlocalized Items
Trademarked names and the name Microsoft Corporation shouldnt be localized. A list of Microsoft trademarks is
available for your reference at the following location: http://www.microsoft.com/trademarks/t-mark/names.htm.
The only items that should remain unlocalized in Polish are the product/feature/company names.
37

WORD

COMMENT

OK

It is the only UI item that may remain unlocalized.

Using the Word Microsoft

In English, it is prohibited to use MS as an abbreviation for Microsoft.
In Polish localized text you always need to add the description before the Microsoft. The name Microsoft cannot
be inflected.
Example: Nawi wspprac z firm Microsoft.

Software Considerations
This section refers to all menus, menu items, commands, buttons, check boxes, etc., which should be consistently
translated in the localized product.
Refer to http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/aa511258.aspx for a detailed explanation of the Windows user interface
guidelines (English).

User Interface
UI COMPONENT

SOURCE

TARGET

COMMENT

Menu

Edit

Edycja (NOT: Edytuj)

You should always try to choose a

noun in the nominative case as a
translation for the menu

Commands

Comment
Paste

Komentarz
Wklej

Command names which are nouns

should be translated as nouns in the
nominative case (rzeczowniki zawsze
w mianowniku). Command names
which are verbs are normally
translated as verbs, but always
remember to apply the rules for verbs
described in the section Verbs.

Dialog box titles

Edit
Save
Add File Type
New
Include in index?

Edycja
Zapisywanie
Dodawanie typu pliku
Nowy
Czy uwzgldni w
indeksie?

The main titles of the dialog boxes in

the Polish localized products should
always have a noun form except for
adjectives and questions that are
translated as adjectives and questions.
If for some reason the command name
in the US software is not the same as
38

the dialog title, e.g.: command is

Information (Informacje) and the dialog
box main title is Information Window,
we also translate Okno informacji.
Group Box Titles
(Option Group Titles
or subtitles)

Show

Pokazywanie

The group box titles should mostly

take a form of nouns, always the
nominative case. Adjectives and
questions are translated as adjectives
and questions.
If the group box titles are verbs, such
as Allow or Specify remote control
settings, the group box titles should be
translated as nouns like Zezwalanie,
Okrelanie ustawie zdalnego
sterowania. It is important to use the
form derived from the verb and not the
noun counterpart of the word, e.g. title
Choose is translated as Wybieranie
(not Wybr). The imperfect form
should be used, e.g. Przygotowywanie
(not Przygotowanie).

Checkboxes and
radio buttons

Comments
Page number

Komentarze
Numer strony

Check boxes names and radio

options, which are nouns, should be
translated as nouns, always the
nominative case (zawsze w
mianowniku). Options are not
grammatically connected to the
options group titles to which they
belong and they do not take any
inflection to reflect connection with the
group option title.

Tabs

Print

Drukowanie

Button names, which are nouns,

should be translated as nouns, always
the nominative case.

Dropdown
lists/tables

Keep personal
addresses in:
Contacts
Tasks

Zachowaj adresy
prywatne w:
Kontakty (not:
Kontaktach)
Zadania (not: Zadaniach)

The list titles and list elements are not

grammatically connected and they do
not take any inflection to reflect
connection between the list title and
the elements of that list.

Ribbon-Tabs

Format

Formatowanie

Tabs are translated using noun (title)

form.

Ribbon-Groups

Adjust

Dopasowywanie

Groups (also known as Chunks) are

translated using noun (title) form.

39

Messages
Status Messages
What is a Status Bar Message?
A status bar message is an informational message about the active document or a selected command as well as
about any active or selected interface item. Messages are shown in the status bar at the bottom of the window
when the user has chosen a menu, a command or any other item, or has started a function. The status bar
messages refer to actions being performed or already complete (for example in Outlook below).

Polish Style in Status bar Messages

In English, the status bar messages have different forms dependent on the information they must convey. In
Polish, menu and commands status bar messages should follow the format below.

Name

Insert

Polish Name
Wstaw

Category

English Status Bar

message

Polish Status Bar message

menu

Insert various types of text

and graphics

Wstaw rnego typy tekstu i

grafiki.

menu

Create, open, save, print

documents or quit Word

Utwrz, otwrz, zapisz lub

wydrukuj dokumenty bd
zakocz prac z programem
Word.

command

Creates a new document

Tworzy nowy dokument

Make object visible?

Czy obiekt ma by widoczny?

Word is converting the

document. Press Esc to
stop.

Program Word konwertuje

dokument. Nacinij przycisk
Esc, aby zatrzyma
konwertowanie.

Datasheet View

Widok arkusza danych

Done

Gotowe

Plik
File

New

Nowy

40

The importance of standardization

In the US product you can often find messages that are phrased differently even though they have the same
meaning. Try to avoid this in the localized Polish version. Use one standard translation as in the examples below:
English term

Correct Polish translation

Press F1 to get Help

Aby uzyska Pomoc, nacinij klawisz F1.

If you want Help press F1

To get Help press F1
Not enough memory

Za mao pamici.

Insufficient memory
There is not enough memory
Save changes to %1?

Zapisa zmiany w %1?

Do you want to save changes to %1?

Error Messages
What Is An Error Message?
Here is an example:

Error messages are messages sent by the system or a program, informing the user that there is an error that
must be corrected in order for the program to keep running. For example, the messages can prompt the user to
take an action or inform the user of an error that requires rebooting the computer.
Polish Style in Error Messages
It is important to use consistent terminology and language style in the localized error messages, and not just
translate as they appear in the US product.
It is important to use the correct Polish style in the localized error messages, and not just translate the American
messages.
The user is sometimes asked whether he or she wants to complete an action that has been interrupted due to an
error. In the US text, often an "abbreviated" sentence structure is used. In Polish, use the same abbreviated style
with a minimum of words used. Complete sentences take up too much space in the message boxes.
41

Example: The selection is too big. Continue without Undo? - Zaznaczenie jest za due. Czy kontynuowa bez
moliwoci cofnicia?
Polish error messages always finish with the period. Sometimes error messages have other than ERR or MSG
category. They have for example TXT or HTML Text category. If there is no information about nature of a string in
the instructions (Instructions column or description of a file/database) and the string looks like an error message
(see examples below) it is better to follow rules described in this chapter. All error messages should end with a
period but if it is difficult to find out whether it is an error message or not it is better to follow original text.
Use exclamation marks in Polish error messages in similar manner as they are used in the US version. You
should remember that not all English sentences, which end with the exclamation mark, should have one in Polish.
Exclamation mark can be omitted when error message is a descriptive text.
Error messages are an exception from the Polish rule about avoiding personifications. Error messages are
messages from the program to the user, and personifications are acceptable to a certain degree.
Example: Word cannot open file - Program Word nie moe otworzy pliku
Standard Phrases in Error Messages
When translating standard phrases, standardize. Note that sometimes the US uses different forms to express the
same thing.
You can often use the Polish construction "Nie mona..." for the following US expressions:
Cannot...
Could not...
Unable to...
Failed to...
Use present tense even if the US error message is in the past tense. In Polish error messages, use the phrase
"Nie mona odnale..." to express the following US phrases:
Cannot find...
Could not find...
Unable to find...
Failed to find...
In Polish, the word "please" is omitted and the sentence is in the imperative mood.
A sentence construction with the phrase "while ~ing" can be translated as follow:
An error occurred while attempting to create the directory. - Wystpi bd podczas prby utworzenia katalogu.
Questions are translated as questions even if the US sentence has the affirmative structure and ends with a
question mark. The questions take the personal form. Please remember to translate the questions accurately, i.e.
if the question reads "Are you sure you want..." the translation should be "Czy na pewno chcesz..." and not "Czy
chcesz...".
Error Messages Containing Instructions: Imperative mood as well as personal form should be used in translating
instructions.

42

Example: To skip creating your startup disk, click Cancel. - Aby pomin tworzenie dysku startowego, kliknij
przycisk Anuluj.
Examples:
English
Cannot
Could not

Failed to
Failure of

Translation

Example

Nie mona

Could not start print job. Nie mona rozpocz

zadania drukowania.

Nie mona

Failed to create empty

document. - Nie mona
utworzy pustego
dokumentu.

Nie mona odnale

Cannot find the file - Nie

mona odnale pliku.

Za mao pamici

There is not enough

memory available - Za
mao pamici.

Jest niedostpny

Device unavailable
Urzdzenie jest
niedostpne

Comment

Cannot find
Could not find
Unable to find
Unable to locate
Not enough memory
Insufficient memory
There is not enough memory
There is not enough memory
available
... is not available
... is unavailable

Error Messages Containing Placeholders

When localizing error messages containing placeholders, try to find out what will replace the placeholder. This is
necessary for the sentence to be grammatically correct when the placeholder is replaced with a word or phrase.
Note that the letters used in placeholders convey a specific meaning, see examples below:
%d, %ld, %u, and %lu means <number>
%c means <letter>
%s means <string>
Examples of error messages containing placeholders:
"Checking Web %1!d! of %2!d!" means "Checking Web <number> of <number>".
"INI file "%1!-.200s!" section" means "INI file "<string>" section".
43

The following table provides examples of error messages with placeholder text, and the final error messages that
users will see:
English text containing
placeholders
Error %d getting session names
The user %s is logged on locally
to this computer.

Final source message

Final target error message

Error <number> getting session

names
The user <name> is logged on locally
to this computer.

Wystpi bd <numer> podczas

uzyskiwania nazw sesji.
Uytkownik <nazwa> jest
zalogowany lokalnie do tego
komputera.

In the English source string, placeholders are found in the position where they would naturally occur in that
language. Since in English numerals typically precede the noun, the numeral placeholders typically precede the
noun in the source strings. This order is also followed in most Polish examples, but check that this is the case in
your specific examples or if you need to change the position of any word in the sentence due to declension.
English Example

Polish Example

Language tip

%u hours ago

Godzin temu: x

If the word order remains unchanged, the final Polish sentence will read: 5
godziny temu, etc.

Keys
The keyboard is the primary input device used for text input in Microsoft Windows. For accessibility and efficiency,
most actions can be performed using the keyboard as well. While working with Microsoft software, you use keys,
key combinations and key sequences.
In English, references to key names, like arrow keys, function keys and numeric keys, appear in normal text (not
in small caps). In Polish we refer to the key names by their name preceded by the word "klawisz (i.e. nacinij
klawisz CTRL). The English names of the keys are not translated into Polish, except for the keys Spacebar
(spacja) and arrow keys.

English

Polish

ALT
BACKSPACE
CAPS LOCK
CTRL
DEL
DOWN ARROW
END
ENTER
ESC
F1-F12
HOME
INS
LEFT ARROW

ALT
BACKSPACE
CAPS LOCK
CTRL
DEL
Strzaka w d
END
ENTER
ESC
F1-F12
HOME
INS
Strzaka w lewo
44

English

Polish

NUM LOCK
PAGE DOWN
PAGE UP
PAUSE
PRINT SCREEN

NUM LOCK
PAGE DOWN
PAGE UP
PAUSE
PRINT SCREEN

SCROLL LOCK

SCROLL LOCK

SHIFT
SPACEBAR
TAB

SHIFT
Spacja
TAB

Access Keys/Hot keys

Sometimes, there are underlined or highlighted letters in menu options, commands or dialog boxes. These letters
refer to access keys (also known as hot keys) that allow you to run commands, perform tasks, etc. more quickly.
The following table lists special options for hot keys in US-English interfaces and describes whether each option
is allowed in Polish
Hot Key Special Options

Usage: Is It Allowed?

Notes

"Slim characters", such as I, l, t, r, f

can be used as hot key

YES

Slim characters are allowed, though

they are not recommended because
they might be hard to see

Characters with downstrokes, such

as g, j, y, p and q can be used as
hotkeys

YES

Extended characters can be used as NO

45

Hot Key Special Options

Usage: Is It Allowed?

Notes

hotkeys
An additional letter, appearing
between brackets after item name,
can be used as hotkeys

NO

A number, appearing between

brackets after item name, can be
used as hotkey

NO

A punctuation sign, appearing

between brackets after item name,
can be used as hotkey

NO

Duplicate hotkeys are allowed when

no other character is available

YES

No hotkey is assigned when no

YES
more characters are available (minor
options only)
Additional notes: N/A

Arrow Keys
The arrow keys move input focus among the controls within a group. Pressing the right arrow key moves input
focus to the next control in tab order, whereas pressing the left arrow moves input focus to the previous control.
Home, End, Up, and Down also have their expected behavior within a group. Users can't navigate out of a control
group using arrow keys.
Arrow key names may not be written capitalized in generic contexts (i.e. Za pomoc klawisza strzaki w gr
przejd do nastpnego okna).

Numeric Keypad
It is recommended that you avoid distinguishing numeric keypad keys from the other keys, unless it is required by
a given application. In case which keys to be pressed is not obvious, provide necessary explanations.

Shortcut Keys
Shortcut keys are keystrokes or combinations of keystrokes used to perform defined functions in a software
application. Shortcut keys replace menu commands and they are sometimes given next to the command they
represent. In opposition to the access keys, which can be used only when available on the screen, shortcut keys
can be used even when they are not accessible on the screen.

46

Standard Shortcut Keys

US
Command

US English Shortcut
Key

Polish
Command

Polish
Shortcut key

General Windows Shortcut keys

Help window

F1

Okno Pomocy

F1

Context-sensitive Help

Shift+F1

Pomoc kontekstowa

Shift+F1

Display pop-up menu

Shift+F10

Wywietlenie menu
kontekstowego

Shift+F10

Cancel

Esc

Anulowanie

Esc

Activate\Deactivate menu bar F10

mode

Aktywacja/dezaktywacja trybu
paska menu

F10

Switch to the next primary

application

Alt+Tab

Przeczenie si do nastpnej
aktywnej aplikacji

Alt+Tab

Display next window

Alt+Esc

Wywietlenie nastpnego okna

Alt+Esc

Display pop-up menu for the

window

Alt+Spacebar

Wywietlenie menu
podrcznego okna

Alt+spacja

Display pop-up menu for the

active child window

Alt+-

Wywietlanie menu
systemowego okna
podrzdnego interfejsu
dokumentu wielokrotnego

Alt+-

Display property sheet for

current selection

Alt+Enter

Wywietlenie waciwoci
zaznaczonego elementu

Alt+Enter

Close active application

window

Alt+F4

Zamykanie biecego okna

Alt+F4

Switch to next window within

(modeless-compliant)
application

Alt+F6

Przeczanie midzy oknami

tego samego programu

Alt+F6

Capture active window image Alt+Prnt Scrn

to the Clipboard

Przechwycenie obrazu
aktywnego okna do Schowka

Alt+Prnt Scrn

Capture desktop image to the Prnt Scrn

Clipboard

Przechwycenie obrazu pulpitu

do Schowka

Prnt Scrn

Access Start button in

taskbar

Otwieranie menu Start

Ctrl+Esc

Ctrl+Esc

47

US
Command

US English Shortcut
Key

Polish
Command

Polish
Shortcut key

Display next child window

Ctrl+F6

Otwieranie nastpnego okna

aktywnego programu

Ctrl+F6

Display next tabbed pane

Ctrl+Tab

Przeczanie do nastpnego
okienka podrzdnego

Ctrl+Tab

Launch Task Manager and

system initialization

Ctrl+Shift+Esc

Otwieranie Menedera zada

systemu Windows

Ctrl+Shift+Esc

File Menu
File New

Ctrl+N

Nowy

Ctrl+N

File Open

Ctrl+O

Otwrz

Ctrl+O

File Close

Ctrl+F4

Zamknij

Ctrl+F4

File Save

Ctrl+S

Zapisz

Ctrl+S

File Save as

F12

Zapisz jako

F12

File Print Preview

Ctrl+F2

Podgld wydruku

Ctrl+F2

File Print

Ctrl+P

Drukuj

Ctrl+P

File Exit

Alt+F4

Zakocz

Alt+F4

Edit Menu
Edit Undo

Ctrl+Z

Cofnij

Ctrl+Z

Edit Repeat

Ctrl+Y

Powtrz

Ctrl+Y

Edit Cut

Ctrl+X

Wytnij

Ctrl+X

Edit Copy

Ctrl+C

Kopiuj

Ctrl+C

Edit Paste

Ctrl+V

Wklej

Ctrl+V

Edit Delete

Ctrl+Backspace

Usu

Ctrl+Backspace

Edit Select All

Ctrl+A

Zaznacz wszystko

Ctrl+A

Edit Find

Ctrl+F

Znajd

Ctrl+F

Edit Replace

Ctrl+H

Zastp

Ctrl+H

Edit Go To

Ctrl+B

Przejd do

Ctrl+B

Help Menu
Help

F1

Pomoc

F1

48

US
Command

US English Shortcut
Key

Polish
Command

Polish
Shortcut key

Font Format
Italic

Ctrl+I

Kursywa

Ctrl+I

Bold

Ctrl+G

Pogrubienie

Ctrl+G

Underlined\Word underline

Ctrl+U

Podkrelenie

Ctrl+U

Large caps

Ctrl+Shift+A

Formatuje tekst jako wersaliki

Ctrl+Shift+A

Small caps

Ctrl+Shift+K

Formatuje tekst jako kapitaliki

Ctrl+Shift+K

Paragraph Format
Centered

Ctrl+E

Wyrodkowany

Ctrl+E

Left aligned

Ctrl+L

Wyrwnany do lewej

Ctrl+L

Right aligned

Ctrl+R

Wyrwnany do prawej

Ctrl+R

Justified

Ctrl+J

Wyjustowany

Ctrl+J

Document Translation Considerations

Document localization may require some specific considerations that are different from software localization. This
section covers a few of these areas.

Titles
In English the titles for chapters usually begin with "How to " or with phrases such as "Working with " or
"Using ". In the Polish version of Microsoft documentation, section and subsection titles should be translated
consistently throughout the documentation and they should indicate issues covered in a given part of a text. It is
important to entitle sections containing similar information in the same language style.
SOURCE

CORRECT

INCORRECT

What is Program Manager?

Co to jest Meneder programw?

Czym jest Meneder programw?

What is File Manager?

Co to jest Meneder plikw?

Czym jest jest Meneder plikw?

What is Print Manager?

Co to jest Meneder wydruku?

Czym jest jest Meneder plikw?

All Help systems have a US name in the form "Microsoft XXX Help". The Polish equivalent is "Microsoft XXX Pomoc".

49

Headings in a verb form are always translated in a noun form (e.g. "Print documents" "Drukowanie
dokumentw", see below for more examples), regardless of how it is in the original text except headings for
procedures and troubleshooting.
Headings for topics in Troubleshooting Help are often constructed after the pattern "I have done soandso, but
thisorthat doesn't happen". Translate these directly.
Headings in the form "XXX command, YYY menu" are translated in the form "XXX, polecenie (menu YYY)".
These can often be longer, and parentheses are used to separate the parts: "XXX check box (YYY tab, ZZZ
command, NNN menu)". This is translated as follows: "XXX, pole wyboru (menu NNN, polecenie ZZZ, karta
YYY)". The parts within the parenthesis are always sorted in order of action (first select menu, then command,
subcommand and tab or button), even though the English text is not always consistent in this respect.
The same form is used for Reference Help headings (e.g. for Visual Basic language reference). Headings in the
form "XXX method" are translated "XXX, metoda".
Example headings in reference help are as follows: "YYY function example" is translated "YYY, funkcja przykad".

SOURCE

TARGET

Find command, Edit menu

Znajd, polecenie (menu Edycja)

For information ..., click ...

Aby uzyska informacje ..., kliknij ...

For more information ..., click ...

Aby uzyska wicej informacji ..., kliknij ...

Location of Document list box (Modify Location

dialog, File Location Tab, Options command, Tools
menu)

Lokalizacja pola listy dokumentw (menu Narzdzia,

polecenie Opcje, karta Lokalizacja plikw, okno
dialogowe Modyfikowanie lokalizacji)

Print Property

Print, waciwo

Print Property Example

Print, waciwo - przykad

Rectangles Collection Object

Prostokty, kolekcja obiektw

Rectangles Collection Object, Example

Prostokty, kolekcja obiektw - przykad

50

Choose..., Choosing

Wybieranie...

Add, Adding

Dodawanie...

Print, Printing...

Drukowanie...

Use..., Using...

Korzystanie z...(using programs, systems, software,

services, databases, etc.)
Uywanie... (using tools, mouse, keyboard, buttons,
options, etc.)
Wykorzystywanie... (capabilities, vulnerabilities, chances,
possibilities, abilities, etc.)

...defined

Definicja...

...dialog box

..., okno dialogowe

...in general

Oglne informacje o...

...overview

Omwienie...

...Summary

Podsumowanie informacji o...

Additional information

Informacje dodatkowe

Additional Resources

Dodatkowe materiay

Applies to

Dotyczy

Basis for using...

Podstawowe informacje dotyczce korzystania z....

Best practices

Najwaniejsze wskazwki

Cause

Przyczyna

Common tasks for...

Typowe zadania dla....

Description of..

Opis...

How ...works

Opis dziaania...
51

How to...

Jak...

Introduction to...

Wprowadzenie do...

Jump right in

Z marszu

New Features

Nowe funkcje

New ways to do familiar tasks

Nowe sposoby wykonywania znanych zada

Note

Uwaga (lub Zauwa)

Notes

Uwagi

Remarks

Spostrzeenia

Return to top

Powrt do pocztku

Review concepts

Przegld poj

Solution

Rozwizanie

Understanding...

Opis...

Working with...

Praca z...

Copyright
Copyright protection is granted to any original work of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression from
which it can be perceived, reproduced, or communicated.
Pay attention to the fact that the trademarks and the name of Microsoft Corporation mustnt be localized. Also the
word Copyright is omitted in the localized term, only the sign is preserved.
Example: Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995-2001. All rights reserved. - Copyright Microsoft Corporation
1995-2001. Wszelkie prawa zastrzeone.

52