Slovenian Language Basics

The Slovenian alphabet (abeceda) has 25 letters. It differs from the English alphabet in that it has no letters x, y, w, and q, (you will find them in spellings of foreign names, places, etc.) but the following three letters (known as šumniki) are added:

  • ch as in chocolate, chicken
  • š sh as in shop, ship
  • ž ge as in courgette, or as the s in measure

Here are the 25 Slovenian letters. Each of them is pronounced in the same way as the italicized letters in the English words next to them. The translation of these words into Slovenian is also given:

a alphabet abeceda m mother mama
b bank banka n nature narava
c pizza pica o opera opera
c chocolate cokolada p pepper poper
d director direktor r revolution revolucija
e electricity elektrika s salt sol
f fantasy fantazija š champagne šampanjec
g gorilla gorila t television televizija
h house hiša u moon luna
i information informacija v villa vila
j yes ja z zebra zebra
k coffee kava ž garage garaža
l legend legenda      

A simple guide to pronunciation

This is just a basic simple guide which should give you an idea of how the language is pronounced:

The Slovenian language is mostly phonetic, which means that it is pronounced as it is written. Each letter has only one specific sound which makes reading and writing easy. It is very important to remember the correct sounds of the letters and once you have done so you will be able to read and write with hardly any mistakes. The grammar, on the other hand, is a special chapter and requires a lot of time even for native Slovenian speakers to learn it properly.


Bellow you will find some valuable and useful Slovene expressions. For proper pronunciation and an excellent Slovene language course press here. (Free of charge, provided by Slovenian government, Laboratory for communication and Center for Slovene).


Essentials  
Yes Da or Ja
No Ne
Pleased to meet you Veseli me, da sva se spoznala
How are you ? Kako si ?
Do you speak English? Govoriš angleško?
My name is Moje ime je
So long Na svidenje
Good morning Dobro jutro
Good evening Dober vecer
Good night Lahko noc
Good-bye Nasvidenje
Bye cao, adijo
Thank you Hvala
Many thanks Lepa hvala
Very good/well Zelo dobro
Welcome Dobrodošli
Sorry / Excuse me Oprosti / Oprostite
Cheers! Na zdravje!

Questions  
Where? Kje?
How? Kako?
When? Kdaj?
What? Kaj?
Why? Zakaj?
Who? Kdo?
Which? Kateri?
Where is? Kje je?
Where are? Kje so?
Where can I find? Kje lahko najdem?
How far? Kako dalec?
How long? Kako dolgo?
How much/many? Koliko?
What is the time? Koliko je ura?

Holidays and Wishes  
Merry Christmas Vesel božic
Happy New Year Srecno novo leto
Happy Easter Vesele velikonocne praznike
Happy Birthday Vse najboljše za rojstni dan
Best Wishes Vse najboljše
Congratulations Cestitam
Good luck Srecno
Regards S spoštovanjem
Bless you (when sneezing) Na zdravje

Time  
During the day Cez dan
In the afternoon Popoldne
In the evening Zvecer
At night Ponoci
Yesterday Vceraj
Today Danes
Tomorrow Jutri

The weather  
What a lovely day! Kako lep dan!
What an awful weather! Kako grozno vreme!
It's cold / hot Hladno / vroce je
Do you think it's going to rain? Misliš da bo deževalo?
Do you think it'll be sunny? Misliš da bo soncno?

Emergency  
Call the police Poklici policijo
Danger Nevarnost
Fire Požar
Get a doctor Poklici zdravnika
Go away Pojdi stran
Help Na pomoc
Get help quickly Hitro poklici pomoc
I'm ill Bolan sem
I'm lost Izgubil sem se
Leave me alone Pusti me pri miru
Look out! Pazi!
Police Policija
Quick Hitro
Stop Stoj
Where is the closest pharmacy? Kje je najbližja lekarna?
I need a doctor Potrebujem zdravnika
Accident Nesreca
Food poisoning Zastrupitev s hrano

Food and drink  
Food Hrana
Drink Pijaca
I'm hungry Lacen sem
Breakfast Zajtrk
Lunch Kosilo
Dinner Vecerja
I'm thirsty Žejen sem
I would like to eat something Slovenian Rad bi jedel nekaj slovenskega
Water Voda
Tea caj
Coffee Kava
Beer Pivo
Wine Vino
Bill Racun

Introducing yourself  
What is your name? Kako vam je ime?
My name is Moje ime je
Where are you from? Od kje ste?
Where do you live? Kje živite?
I live in  Živim v
Do you like it here? Vam je všec tukaj?
What do you do for living? Kateri poklic opravljate?
Do you speak English? Govorite angleško?
Just a little Samo malo
I am trying to learn Slovene Rad bi se naucil slovensko
It is a hard language Je težek jezik
Can I practice with you Lahko vadim z vami
How old are you? Koliko ste stari?
I am ? years old Star sem ? let
Mister (Mr.), Mistress (Mrs), Miss Gospod (g.), Gospa (ga.), Gospodicna (gdc)
This is my wife To je moja žena
This is my husband To je moj mož

Love & Romance  
Are you free tomorrow evening? Ste prosti jutri zvecer?
I would like to invite you to a dinner Rad bi vas povabil na vecerjo
You look beautiful Zelo ste lepi
You have a beautiful name Imate lepo ime
Can you tell me more about yourself Mi lahko poveste vec o sebi
Are you married? Ste poroceni?
I am single Samski (woman - samska) sem
I am married Porocen (woman - porocena) sem 
Can you tell me your number? Lahko dobim vašo telefonsko številko
Can I have your email? Lahko dobim vaš email?
Do you have any picture of you? Imate kakšno svojo sliko?
Do you have any children? Imate otroke?
Would you like to go for a walk? Greste na sprehod?
I like you Všec ste mi
I love you Rad te imam
You are very kind Zelo ste prijazni
I am just kidding Samo šalim se

Asking for direction  
Excuse me! Vas lahko zmotim?
I am lost Izgubil sem se
Can you help me Mi lahko pomagate
Can I help you Vam lahko pomagam
I am not from here Nisem od tukaj
How can I get to Kako lahko pridem do
Go straight Pojdite naravnost
Go back Pojdite nazaj
Left Levo
Right Desno
Can you show me? Mi lahko pokažete?
Come with me Pojdite z mano
How long does it take to get there? Koliko casa potrebujem to tam?
Downtown (city center) Mestno središce
Airport Letališce
Train station Železniška postaja
Near Blizu
Far Dalec
Bus station Avtobusna postaja

Travel Phrases  
I have a reservation Imam rezervacijo
Do you have any room available? Imate prosto sobo?
With a shower / With a bathtub S tušem / S kadjo
I would like a non-smoking room Želim nekadilsko sobo
What is the price for a room? Kakšna je cena za sobo?
Do you accept credit cards? Sprejemate kreditne kartice?
I would like to rent a car Želim najeti avto
A table for ?, please Mizo za ?, prosim
Is this seat taken? Je ta stol zaseden?
I am vegetarian Vegeterjanec sem
I do not eat pork Ne jem svinjine
I do not drink alcohol Ne pijem alkohola
What is the name of this dish? Kako se ta jed imenuje?
Waiter / Waitress Natakar / Natakarica
Can we have a check please? Lahko dobimo racun, prosim?
The dish is very delicious Ta jed je zelo okusna
I do not like this Tega ne maram

Writing a letter / postcard  
I am sending you greetings from Pošiljam vam pozdrave iz
My trip is very nice Moje potovanje je izjemno lepo
The culture and people are very interesting Kultura in ljudje so izjemno zanimivi
I am having a crazy time Imam se noro

Numbers  
One Ena
Two Dva
Three Tri
Four Štiri
Five Pet
Six Šest
Seven Sedem
Eight Osem
Nine Devet
Ten Deset
Eleven Enajst
Twelve Dvanajst
Thirteen Trinajst
First Prvi
Second Drugi
Third Tretji

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