As I get older I use different methods to learn. I'm presently working in a warehouse with many colleagues from Eastern Europe.
Here's my picture memory to phonetically say "good morning" in Polish.
Sounds like "jean dobry".
Some of them greet me with "chesz"
And one worker said a general greeting which sounds like "sham argh". (See what I did with the pirate there).
"How are you?" sounds like "yak she mash"
To which you reply " dobzie".
Can't read the language to save my life, but can say "hi."