The 5 Polish phrases every Briton needs

A pedestrain takes shelter under an umbrella with Union Jack on it as they walk past the Polish flag on the Mall in London 05 May, 2004. The British capital was dressed in red and white to welcome Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski who was on a State Visit. (Getty Images)

The latest figures from the 2011 census reveal Polish has overtaken Punjabi as England's second language. 546,000 citizens now cite Polish as their native tongue, a rise which can be attributed to the influx of Polish immigrants following the expansion of the EU in 2004. (If this seems a small number, it should be noted many second generation immigrants speak Polish, Punjabi or another language as a second language after English.)

As well as an interesting insight into modern Britain, it seems a perfect opportunity to brush up on our Polish. So here are some phrases you might like to try out during your next trip to the local Polski Sklep...

UPDATE: We thought we could get away with using Google Translate. We were wrong. Lots of very kind (and clever) Polish-speaking readers of Independent Voices wrote in to provide us with superior translations which have now been included below. Dziękuję!

1. "Zubrowka vodka seems so passe. What should I serve at my dinner party?"

Rubbish Google translation: "Wódka Żubrówka wydaje się tak passe. Co mam służyć w mojej kolację strony?"

Iwona Taylor's translation: "Żubrówka już niemodna. Co innego mam podać na przyjęciu?"

2. "I hear the weather is delightful in Białowieża Forest at this time of year, but personally I prefer the driving sleet of Manchester."

Rubbish Google translation: "Słyszę pogoda jest wspaniałe w Puszczy Białowieskiej w tym czasie roku, ale osobiście wolę jazdy deszcz ze śniegiem w Manchesterze"

Zbyszek Fibinger's translation: "Słyszałam, że pogoda jest wspaniała w Puszczy Białowieskiej o tej porze roku, ale osobiście wolę jazdę w deszczu ze śniegiem w Manchesterze."

3. "Yes, the transition to a free market economy can be a bitch"

Rubbish Google translation: "Tak, przejście do gospodarki rynkowej może być suką."

Zuzanna Zofia's translation: "Tak, przejście do gospodarki wolnorynkowej potrafi być upierdliwe."

4. "Phew! That Robert Lewandowski is on great form. I hope to see him in the Premier League soon."

Rubbish Google translation: "Uff! Że Robert Lewandowski jest w świetnej formie. Mam nadzieję, że zobaczymy go w Premier League wkrótce."

Zbigniew 'ZJ' Jaworowski's translation: Uff! Ten Robert Lewandowski jest w świetnej formie. Mam nadzieję, że wkrótce zobaczymy go w Premier League.

5. "As I've always said, Three Colours: Red is the most under-appreciated of Kieslowski's trilogy"

Rubbish Google translation: "Jak zawsze mówiłem, Trzy kolory: Czerwony jest najbardziej niedoceniany trylogii Kieślowskiego."

Iwona's Taylor's translation: "Jak zawsze mówiłem Trzy kolory: Czerwony jest najbardziej niedoceniany z trylogii Kieślowskiego."