Have you been wondering about learning Slovenian but not sure where to begin? Well, lucky for you, we’ve prepared lists of basic words and phrases in Slovenian for you to get started.
Knowing these basic words and phrases will help you build confidence and start putting together more complex sentences. To make it even easier, we’ve broken the list into categories, so you can practice specific topics.
Useful Basic Words And Phrases In Slovenian
Greeting And Conversation Starters
When you’re starting off with a language or about to visit a new country, it’s good to know how to greet people and be polite. In Slovenia, using a few basic phrases can really go a long way. Saying hello, asking how someone is, or thanking them shows respect and helps you connect with locals. For more ways to say hello, see our guide to greetings in Slovenian.
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| English | Slovenian |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Dobro jutro |
| Good afternoon | Dober dan |
| Good evening | Dober večer |
| Good night | Lahko noč |
| Thank you | Hvala |
| Please | Prosim |
| Excuse me | Oprostite |
| Hi | Živijo |
| How are you? | Kako ste? |
| How are you? (informal) | Kako si? |
| Very well, thank you | Dobro, hvala |
| What is your name? | Kako vam je ime? |
| What is your name? (informal) | Kako ti je ime? |
| My name is… | Moje ime je… |
| Where are you from? | Od kje ste? |
| Where are you from? (informal) | Od kje si? |
| I am from… | Sem iz… |
Asking For Directions
Finding your way in a brand new place can be tough. That’s why it can be super useful to know how to ask for directions in Slovenian. These basic phrases might help you get around more easily.
| English | Slovenian |
|---|---|
| Where is…? | Kje je…? |
| Left | Levo |
| Right | Desno |
| Straight ahead | Naravnost |
| Near | Blizu |
| Far | Daleč |
| Is it near? | Ali je to blizu? |
Ordering Food And Drinks
Trying local food is one of the best parts of traveling. But what would make your experience even better is knowing how to order Slovenian food in the local language. Here’s some basic sentences to help you out:
| English | Slovenian |
|---|---|
| Can I get the menu, please? | Lahko dobim jedilni list, prosim? |
| I would like to order (male) | Rad bi naročil |
| I would like to order (female) | Rada bi naročila |
| What do you recommend? | Kaj priporočate? |
| Beef soup | Goveja juha |
| Salad | Solata |
| Beef steak | Goveji zrezek |
| Red wine | Rdeče vino |
| Chocolate cake | Čokoladna torta |
| Can I get more bread, please? | Lahko dobim še kruha, prosim? |
| Can I get more water, please? | Lahko dobim še vode, prosim? |
| The food is excellent! | Hrana je odlična! |
| Can I have the bill, please? | Lahko dobim račun, prosim? |
| Can I pay with card? | Ali lahko plačam s kartico? |
| Can I pay with cash? | Ali lahko plačam z gotovino? |
| Thank you very much | Hvala lepa |
| Goodbye | Nasvidenje |
| One coffee, please | Eno kavo, prosim |
| Milk coffee | Kava z mlekom |
| Black coffee | Črna kava |
| Cappuccino | Kapučino |
| Fruit tea | Sadni čaj |
| Laško beer | Laško pivo |
| Orange juice | Pomarančni sok |
| Glass of water | Kozarec vode |
| With milk | Z mlekom |
| With cream | S smetano |
| Without sugar | Brez sladkorja |
| With sugar | S sladkorjem |
| With almond milk | Z mandljevim mlekom |
| With soy milk | S sojinim mlekom |
Basic Phrases For Emergencies
Knowing some basic phrases for emergencies in Slovenian could be something that saves your life one day. Here is a list of the most common ones you might need or come across.
| English | Slovenian |
|---|---|
| Help | Na pomoč |
| Call an ambulance | Pokličite rešilca |
| Call the police | Pokličite policijo |
| Fire | Ogenj |
| I need help | Potrebujem pomoč |
| I am in pain | Boli me |
| I have chest pain | Imam bolečine v prsih |
| I feel dizzy | Vrti se mi |
| I have difficulty breathing | Težko diham |
| My head hurts | Boli me glava |
| I feel nauseous | Slabo mi je |
| I have a fever | Imam vročino |
| I am bleeding | Krvavim |
| I need to see a doctor | Potrebujem zdravnika |
| Where is the nearest hospital? | Kje je najbližja bolnišnica? |
| My wallet has been stolen | Ukradli so mi denarnico |
| My bag has been stolen | Ukradli so mi torbo |
| I’ve been robbed | Oropali so me |
| Emergency | Nujni primer |
| Emergency room | Urgenca |
| First aid | Prva pomoč |
| I’m lost | Izgubil/a sem se |
| Do you speak English? | Govorite angleško? |
| I don’t understand | Ne razumem |
| I’m sick | Bolan/a sem |
| How do I get to… | Kako pridem do… |
| Calm down | Pomirite se |
| What’s the time? | Koliko je ura? |
How Do You Say Basic Words And Phrases In Slovenian?
Basic words and phrases in Slovenian is osnovne besede in izrazi.
When someone asks you if you speak Slovenian, you can say: le nekaj osnovnih besed in izrazov (only a few basic words and phrases).
Practicing these phrases with an app helps them stick. Just note that there is no Slovenian on Duolingo, so you’ll need a different app to keep going.
Other Useful Vocabulary For Tourists
If you’re only coming for a short trip and want the essentials covered, this basic vocabulary for tourists might make your stay more comfortable. Having these common phrases at your fingertips will help you make the most of your visit to Slovenia. Planning a longer stay? Our list of Slovenian travel phrases covers even more situations.
| English | Slovenian |
|---|---|
| Tourist | Turist |
| Hotel | Hotel |
| Airport | Letališče |
| Bus | Avtobus |
| Train station | Železniška postaja |
| Map | Zemljevid |
| Where is the hotel? | Kje je hotel? |
| How do I get to the airport? | Kako pridem do letališča? |
| Can I get a map? | Ali lahko dobim zemljevid? |
| What time is the next train? | Ob kateri uri je naslednji vlak? |
| Can you help me find… | Mi lahko pomagate najti… |
Frequently Asked Questions About Basic Slovenian Phrases
How Do You Say Thank You In Slovenian?
The word for thank you in Slovenian is hvala. To show even more gratitude, you can use hvala lepa (thanks a lot) or najlepša hvala (thank you very much).
Do They Speak English In Slovenia?
Yes, many people in Slovenia speak great English, especially in tourist areas. Still, a few basic Slovenian phrases are a friendly way to start any conversation.
How To Be Polite In Slovenia?
In business settings, use people’s last names and titles unless they tell you otherwise.
If you’re visiting someone’s home, show up on time and bring a small gift like wine, chocolates or flowers. At mealtime, wait for the host to start eating and always thank them for the food.
Start Learning Slovenian With Ling
Well done! You now have the basic words and phrases you need for greetings, directions, meals and emergencies in Slovenia. A little effort goes a long way, and a friendly dober dan or hvala is a great way to connect with locals.
With flashcards, native speaker audio and Dialog for real conversation practice, Ling keeps learning simple and fun in 70+ languages. Start learning Slovenian today and enjoy every moment of your Slovenian adventure!
