Language Guide
Slovak Phrasebook
Essential Slovak phrases with pronunciation guide for travelers
While many people in Bratislava speak English (especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants), learning a few basic Slovak phrases shows respect and often leads to warmer interactions with locals. Slovak pronunciation can be challenging, but locals appreciate any effort to speak their language.
Pronunciation Tips
- Stress: Always on the first syllable of every word
- Vowels: Pronounced clearly and consistently (a=ah, e=eh, i=ee, o=oh, u=oo)
- Ľ, Ň, Ď: Soft consonants (like adding a slight "y" sound)
- CH: Pronounced like "h" in "loch" (Scottish), not like English "ch"
- R: Rolled/trilled (like Spanish "r")
- Ž, Š, Č: Like "s" in "measure", "sh" in "ship", "ch" in "church"
Essential Phrases
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
Dobrý deň | DOH-bree dehn | Hello / Good day |
Ahoj | AH-hoy | Hi (informal) |
Dovidenia | doh-VEE-deh-nya | Goodbye |
Áno | AH-noh | Yes |
Nie | NYEH | No |
Ďakujem | JAH-koo-yem | Thank you |
Prosím | PROH-seem | Please / You're welcome |
Prepáčte | preh-PAHTCH-teh | Excuse me / Sorry |
Nerozumiem | neh-roh-ZOO-myem | I don't understand |
Hovoríte po anglicky? | hoh-voh-REE-teh poh AHN-glits-kee | Do you speak English? |
Restaurant & Food
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
Jedálny lístok, prosím | YEH-dahl-nee LEES-tok PROH-seem | Menu, please |
Účet, prosím | OO-chet PROH-seem | Bill, please |
Voda | VOH-dah | Water |
Pivo | PEE-voh | Beer |
Víno | VEE-noh | Wine |
Káva | KAH-vah | Coffee |
Chlieb | HLEE-eb | Bread |
Dobré! | DOH-breh | Good! / Delicious! |
Na zdravie! | nah ZDRAH-vyeh | Cheers! |
Vegetariánske jedlo | veh-geh-tah-ree-AHN-skeh YED-loh | Vegetarian food |
Directions & Places
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
Kde je...? | GDEH yeh | Where is...? |
Staré Mesto | STAH-reh MEHS-toh | Old Town |
Hrad | HRAHD | Castle |
Centrum | TSEN-troom | Center |
Autobusová stanica | ow-toh-boo-SOH-vah STAH-nee-tsah | Bus station |
Vlakova stanica | VLAH-koh-vah STAH-nee-tsah | Train station |
Letisko | LEH-tees-koh | Airport |
Vľavo | VLYA-voh | Left |
Vpravo | VPRAH-voh | Right |
Rovno | ROHV-noh | Straight |
Shopping
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
Koľko to stojí? | KOHL-koh toh STOH-yee | How much does it cost? |
Príliš drahé | PREE-leesh DRAH-heh | Too expensive |
Beriem to | BEH-ryem toh | I'll take it |
Môžem platiť kartou? | MOH-zhem PLAH-teet KAR-toh-oo | Can I pay by card? |
Hotovosť | HOH-toh-vohst | Cash |
Účtenka | OO-chten-kah | Receipt |
Otvorené | OHT-voh-reh-neh | Open |
Zatvorené | ZAHT-voh-reh-neh | Closed |
Emergency Phrases
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
Pomoc! | POH-mohts | Help! |
Zavolajte políciu | ZAH-voh-lay-teh poh-LEE-tsee-oo | Call the police |
Potrebujem lekára | poh-TREH-boo-yem LEH-kah-rah | I need a doctor |
Nemocnica | NEH-mohts-nee-tsah | Hospital |
Lekáreň | LEH-kah-rehn | Pharmacy |
Stratil som sa | STRAH-teel sohm sah | I'm lost |
Núdzový východ | NOOD-zoh-vee VEE-hod | Emergency exit |
Numbers 1-10
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
Jeden | YEH-den | One |
Dva | DVAH | Two |
Tri | TREE | Three |
Štyri | SHTI-ree | Four |
Päť | PYAT | Five |
Šesť | SHEST | Six |
Sedem | SEH-dem | Seven |
Osem | OH-sem | Eight |
Deväť | DEH-vyat | Nine |
Desať | DEH-sat | Ten |
Cultural Tips
- Formal vs. Informal: Use "Dobrý deň" (formal) with strangers, older people, and in business. Use "Ahoj" (informal) with friends and young people.
- Prosím is versatile: It means "please", "you're welcome", and "here you are" depending on context.
- Greetings matter: Always greet when entering shops, restaurants, or small spaces. Say "Dobrý deň" when entering and "Dovidenia" when leaving.
- Tipping: Round up or add 10% in restaurants. Say "To je v poriadku" (toh yeh VPOH-ryad-koo) meaning "That's fine" when you don't need change.
- English is common: Most young people and tourism workers speak English well, so don't worry if your Slovak isn't perfect!
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