We can find common phrases or questions across all cultures, and ‘how are you?’ is one of those! However, in some cultures, this phrase is used as a greeting far more prevalently than in others. As far as Slovak phrases go, asking how are you in Slovak isn’t commonly used as a greeting. So when is it appropriate to ask people who they’re doing?
An Overview Of The Slovak Culture
When visiting Slovakia or any Slavic nation, you must understand that they are reserved and private people. It’s unnatural and uncomfortable for Slovak people to be approached and greeted ‘good morning’ with ‘how are you?’ following after.
People here aren’t so open to sharing how they are feeling, especially with people they barely know. In fact, in general, greetings are relatively rare among strangers or acquaintances.
If you are going to ask someone how they are doing in Slovak, you should truly want to know the answer. This is not typical, ‘hey, how you ya?!’ question you may ask someone as you pass them in the street. You’re going to get a full and meaningful answer with an expectation that the conversation will continue afterward.
If you’re asked how are you in Slovak, be prepared to give an honest answer. Don’t reply with, ‘I’m fine’, be truthful. Are you feeling excited, stressed, overwhelmed, or happy? The person has asked you because they genuinely want to know!
In this article, we’ll show you the most common ways to ask how are you in the Slovak language and some simple ways to respond.
How To Say How Are You In Slovak
In Slovakia, the language changes depending on formal and informal situations. They also have great respect for their elders, so the formality of the Slovak language used will change depending on the age of the person you’re addressing. Let’s take a look.
- How are you?/How are you doing? – Ako sa máš? (Ah koh sah mash)
You would use Ako sa máš? when in an informal situation. Such informal situations may be speaking with friends, family members, or people of your age.
This form of the question is also meant to be used when speaking with one other person, so it’s the singular form of the question.
- How are you? – Ako sa máte? (Ah koh sah mat-eh)
Ako sa máte? is meant to be used in informal situations. Speaking with people older than you, at a work or business event, or at any other formal event is when you would use this form of the question.
You should also use this form of asking how someone is in Slovak when there is more than one person, so this is the plural form of the question.
- Is everything all right? – Je všetko v poriadku? (yev shep koh ve poh riat kuh)
This would be a question you ask when you notice that something is definitely amiss or emotions are clear. Je všetko v poriadku? is something you’d ask in Slovakian to make sure someone is okay and you’d stick around to hear them out.
How To Respond To ‘How Are You?’ In Slovak
Slovaks have many different ways to reply to how are you as in common with many other languages. Below are the most common ways to respond to this question.
| English | Slovak | Pronunciation |
| I am fine | Mám sa fajn | Maam sah fine |
| I am very good/ I am great/I’m awesome | som skvelý | som ske-veh-lee |
| I am very well | Mám sa veľmi dobre | Maam sah vel-mee doh breh |
| I’m super | Mám sa | Mamm sah |
| I’m happy (female speaker) | Som šťastný | Som sht-ast-nee |
| I’m happy (male speaker) | Mám sa veľmi dobre | Mam sah vel-mee dob-rey |
| I’m not good | Mám sa dobre | Mam sah dob-rey |
| I’m sad (female speaker) | Som smutný | Som smut-nee |
| I’m sad (male speaker) | Som šťastná | Som sht-ast-na |
| I’m very good | Mám sa výborne | Mam sah vee-born-eh |
| Not good/Very bad | Nie dobre/Veľmi zle | neh doh breh/vel-mee zray |
| Not really good | Nie veľmi dobre | neh vel-mee doh breh |
| Thank you. I’m good/I’m well | Ďakujem | Danku chun |
| Very bad | Nemám sa dobre | Neh-mam sah dob-rey |
Other Phrases To Inquire How Someone Is Doing In Slovak
After someone asks you how you are, it’s polite to ask them in return. Here are some simple ways to do so:
| English | Slovak | Pronunciation |
| And you? (formal) | A vy? | Ah vee |
| And you? (informal) | A ty? | Ah tee |
| What about you? (plural,formal) | Ako sa máte vy? | Ah koh sah mah tah? |
| What about you? (singular, informal) | Ako sa máš ty? | Ah koh sah mah tah? |
You Made It!
Now that you’re aware of the polite (formal) and informal ways to ask how someone is in Slovakia, it’s time to consider learning more Slovak phrases.
Learning Slovak is going to take some dedication and time, but you can kill two birds with one stone. What we mean is the Slovak language is so similar to Czech that you can potentially learn two languages at the same time!
We recommend using Ling App to help you prepare for visiting Slovakia. With Ling, you’ll learn how to pronounce difficult Slovak words and phrases. The app offers much more, though.
Ling is a popular language app with over 10 million downloads and 60 plus languages.
You’ll experience reading and speaking practice by talking with the patented chatbot, meaning you’ll pick up on the perfect accent and pronunciation in no time!
Another significant aspect of Ling is the SRS flashcards. This means the flashcards adapt to your needs based on your proven level and can increase your long-term memory.
Finally, Ling also has interactive writing practice using your phone! Ling aims to make learning fun!
Head over to Google Play or the Apple Store to check it out and learn even more Slovak language skills.
Download Ling today and start speaking confidently in Slovak!
