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.
Like any other language, the foundation in Slovenian is based around certain words and phrases. Knowing these will help you build confidence and start to put together more complex sentences and ideas. And to make it even easier for you, we’ve broken the list into categories, so you can practice your skills on specific topics.
Table of Contents
Useful Basic Words And Phrases In Slovenian
Greeting And Conversation Starters
When you’re starting off with a language or about 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.
| 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).
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.
| 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
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.
How To Be Polite In Slovenia?
When you’re in Slovenia, it’s polite to use people’s last names and titles in business settings 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. Offering to help with setup or cleanup is a kind gesture, even if they don’t need it.
Making The Most Of Your Slovenian Adventure
So, you’re ready to travel to Slovenia and want to make the most out of your trip, right? Learning a few basic words and phrases in Slovenian can make a world of difference during your visit.
Even if you’re just starting out, a little effort goes a long way. And if you’re keen to dive deeper into the language, apps like Ling make it easy to keep learning on the go. Enjoy your trip, and have fun exploring Slovenia with your newfound knowledge!
