Dziękuję vs dzięki
Both mean thank you/thanks. Is one more appropriate than the other? My children love the sound of "dzięki" when they learned it and default to its use, but I wonder if it is too informal and inappropriate for them to use when in Poland talking to strangers (waiters, hotel concierges, tour guides, etc).

Thanks!

Question

Dziękuję vs dzięki
Both mean thank you/thanks. Is one more appropriate than the other? My children love the sound of "dzięki" when they learned it and default to its use, but I wonder if it is too informal and inappropriate for them to use when in Poland talking to strangers (waiters, hotel concierges, tour guides, etc).

Thanks!

Answer

Yes, during conversation with strangers i would use 'dziękuję' as it seems more polite. Generally as you said, 'dzięki' is informal.