Slovenian is its own unique language, but did you know that it has many words that were taken from other languages? This blog will be all about the different loan words in Slovenian and its diverse linguistic origins.
We’ll also see how these words have shaped the modern language and how they’re used in everyday conversations. By the end you’ll have a better understanding of the Slovenian language along with some easy vocabulary!
Table Of Contents
What Are Loan Words In Slovenian?
Loan words are the words that a language borrows from another language but changes them to fit its own rules of grammar and spelling. These borrowed terms are everywhere: in formal documents, and everyday chats, showing us how languages mix with each other and evolve.
There’s two types of loan words in Slovenian: foreign words and borrowed words.
Foreign words, or tujke, are those taken from other languages and used in their original form, such as ‘adagio’ or ‘Brexit’. Borrowed words, or izposojenke, are adapted to fit Slovenian spelling and pronunciation. For example, television becomes televizija, and pizza becomes pica. So, while borrowed words are adjusted to blend into Slovenian, foreign words keep their original form.
Most Common Loan Words In Slovenian
Slovenian has a long and rich history of borrowing words from other languages. These loan words come from German, English, Italian, French, and Hungarian. Let’s take a look at some common ones.
German Loan Words In Slovenian
Slovenia and Germany have a long history of cultural connections. That’s why there’s also lots of words Slovenian has picked up from German over time. Of course, they were adapted to fit Slovenian pronunciation, but we get to see how German has helped shape Slovenian vocabulary.
| English meaning | Slovenian borrowed word | Word in German |
|---|---|---|
| abstract | abstrakten | abstrakt |
| goal | cilj | Ziel |
| icon | ikona | Ikone |
| piano | klavir | Klavier |
| lemonade | limonada | Limonade |
| apricot | marelica | Marille |
| crazy | nor | Narr |
| semaphore | semafor | Semaphore |
| system | sistem | System |
| counter/bar | šank | Schank |
| student | študent | Student |
| ham | šunka | Schinken |
| ferry | trajekt | Trajekt |
| scale | vaga | Waage |
English Loan Words In Slovenian
Slovenian daily life vocabulary also has lots of English loan words, thanks to global trends and connections. These words were adapted into Slovenian, making it easier for people to use terms they’re already familiar with.
| English word | Slovenian borrowed word |
|---|---|
| bar | bar |
| bulldog | buldog |
| jazz | džez |
| euro | evro |
| goal | gol |
| ice | led |
| tram | tramvaj |
Italian Loan Words In Slovenian
Since Italy and Slovenia are neighbors, it comes as no surprise that Slovenia has some loan words from Italian and vice versa. Here’s a list of some common Italian loan words in Slovenian:
| English meaning | Slovenian borrowed word | Word in Italian |
|---|---|---|
| goodbye | adijo | addio |
| shack/house | bajta | baita |
| boat | barka | barca |
| clog (wooden shoe) | cokla | zoccolo |
| hello | čao | ciao |
| boy | fant | fante |
| sonnet | sonet | sonetto |
| box | škatla | scatola |
French Loan Words In Slovenian
Over time, French influence in areas like fashion, food, and art made its way into Slovenian. This lead to the language developing French borrowed terms. Here are some more useful French loan words for you to learn:
| English Meaning | Slovenian Borrowed Word | Word in French |
|---|---|---|
| apartment | apartma | appartement |
| pool | bazen | bassin |
| concrete | beton | béton |
| diamond | diamant | diamant |
| hotel | hotel | hôtel |
| truck | kamion | camion |
| beggar | klošar | clochard |
| platform | peron | perron |
| beach | plaža | plage |
| magazine | revija | revue |
| steering wheel | volan | volant |
Hungarian Loan Words In Slovenian
Last but not least, Hungarian has left its mark on the Slovenian language with some loan words as well. Here is a list of loan words from Hungarian that could help you expand your vocabulary.
| English meaning | Slovenian borrowed word | Word in Hungarian |
|---|---|---|
| coat | bunda | bunda |
| giant | orjak | óriás |
| room | soba | szoba |
| current | tok | tok |
The History Of Loan Words In Slovenian
The earliest loan words in Slovenian came from Latin, thanks to the influence of the Roman Empire. A good example of this is the word komunikacija (communication).
In the 19th century, German had a big impact on Slovenian, so many German words made their way into the language. Tehnologija (technology) is an example that’s become more popular recently.
Over time, Slovenian has picked up many foreign words, especially from Germanic and Romance languages. Today, English is the biggest influence, as many companies, ads, and signs are using English terms.
If you listen closely, you’ll hear people on the streets of Slovenia using English words all the time. For example, you’ll hear Slovenian slang words that are borrowed from English in everyday conversation.
Sometimes using too many foreign words can be confusing or seem unnecessary when Slovenian already has its own terms. In spite of this, Slovenian continues to evolve, with new words constantly coming in from different languages every day.
How Do You Say Loan Word In Slovenian?
In Slovenian, loan word is izposojenka (borrowed word), or tujka (foreign word).
Some Useful Slovenian Vocabulary For Learners!
When you’re learning a language, knowing where certain words come from can be super fascinating. It also makes it easier to understand those words in a new language, if it came from the language you’re already speaking!
I’ve prepared a short list of basic Slovenian words for you that are related to the topic of learning about how cultures mix together and influence languages over time.
| English | Slovenian |
|---|---|
| Loan word | Izposojenka |
| Foreign word | Tujka |
| Calque | Kalk |
| Translation | Prevod |
| Adaptation | Prilagoditev |
| Influence | Vpliv |
| Language family | Jezikovna družina |
| Multilingualism | Večjezičnost |
| Etymology | Etimologija |
| Linguistics | Jezikoslovje |
| Grammar | Slovnica |
| Phonology | Fonologija |
| Morphology | Morfologija |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is An Example Of A Calque?
A calque is when a phrase or word from one language is translated directly into another, word for word. For example, in Slovenian, the term osnovna šola (primary school) is a calque of the German Grundschule, where each part of the phrase is translated literally. This way of translating keeps the structure of the original phrase but uses the words of the new language.
How Do Slovenians Say Slovenia?
In Slovenian, the country is called Slovenija.
How Do You Say Coffee In Slovenian?
In Slovenian, coffee is called kava, but in some settings you might also hear kafe, making it a loan word.
The Melting Pot Of Languages
So you see, Slovenia is a unique language, but also a melting pot of different languages at the same time! Just goes to show how connected through languages we all truly are.
Next time you learn a new word, ask yourself, is it a loan word or an authentic Slovenian word? The answer might surprise you!
