Any country is usually best defined by its culture, but if you really want to get to the heart of a place, look no further than its people. In Slovenia, we like to think of ourselves as a pretty balanced bunch who also have a lot in common.
Sure, we’ve got the landscapes and postcard-worthy lakes, but it’s the people here that truly make Slovenia special. We’re proud of our heritage, love the outdoors, and don’t take ourselves too seriously. So, if you’re wondering what Slovenian people are really like, stick around and I’ll show you what we’re all about!
Table Of Contents
Fun Facts About Slovenian People
Let’s start with a little bit of history. Who are Slovenian people? Where did we come from?
Well, the story goes back to the 6th century, when our ancestors, the Slavs, made their way from the Carpathians and settled in what is now Slovenia. A century later, we even founded Carantania, the oldest known Slavic state—not bad for a small nation, right?
Of course, for a long time after that, we were under foreign rule, mainly the Austro-Hungarian Empire. But despite centuries of outside influence, we held onto our language, our culture, and our sense of identity. Fast-forward to 1991, and we finally got our independence, with nearly 90% of us voting for it. Since then, we’ve built a modern, democratic country that’s proud to be Slovenian!
Common Traits Among Slovenians
Today, there are over 2 million Slovenians living in Slovenia and across the world. While it may seem that the only thing we share is our language and history, there’s certain traits that a lof ot us have in common.
First and foremost, Slovenia’s athletic achievements are nothing short of impressive! You’ve probably seen headlines celebrating our national teams and individuals in different sports. The secret sauce lies in our cultural connection to physical activity.
Slovenian schools encourage kids early on to get involved in some kind of sport. Young athletes then get special support to manage their studies and training. All of us grew up with an appreciation for nature and outdoor sports.
While we take a healthy lifestyle quite seriously, the Slovenian drinking culture may surprise you! Drinking is quite integrated into our daily life. Slovenians love sharing a drink to celebrate any kind of milestone or simply to unwind after a long week.
On another note, Slovenian people share the trait of being really welcoming and friendly. It’s almost as if kindness is part of our national identity. If you’re lost or looking for recommendations, people will go out of their way to help you out, even if they’ve just met you. We’re also incredibly hardworking, with Slovenian working culture being known for its dedication and strong work ethic.
We are very proud of our language and are amazed when someone tries to learn it. If you’re looking to start with some basics, I recommend a language-learning app like Ling. But don’t worry! Most Slovenian people are multilingual and can easily switch from Slovenian to English or another language.
Slovenian People Who Helped Shape History
Over the years, many amazing people have made important contributions that have helped shape who we are as Slovenians and what our culture is all about. Let’s take a look at some of these fascinating Slovenians who have truly left their mark on Slovenian history!
France Prešeren
If you’re curious about Slovenia’s artistic heritage, then France Prešeren is a great place to start. He’s the heart of Slovenian poetry and the man behind our national anthem.
Though his life had its struggles, from unrequited love to career setbacks, his work still has a lasting effect on the people of Slovenia. Every day of February 8th, the anniversary of his death, we celebrate Prešeren Day, a national holiday honoring Slovenian culture. When it comes to our history, Prešeren is a name you can’t miss!
Ivana Kobilca
While we’re on the subject of art, I want to mention Ivana Kobilca, the most successful Slovenian female painter. She broke barriers in a field that was mostly dominated by men and paved the way for future women artists. During her lifetime, she spent some time in big European cities, which helped her grow as an artist. Make sure to check out some of her everyday life paintings to get a fascinating look at society during her time.
Alma Karlin
I can’t write a blog about Slovenian people without including at least one of my idols. Alma Karlin was the first Slovenian to travel the world.
Not only was she an intrepid world traveler, but she was also a polyglot, which means she was able to speak several languages. Over her remarkable solo journey in the early 20th century, she visited places like South and North America, Japan, Australia, and Southeast Asia. Back then, it was rare for a woman to undertake such an adventure.
Her determination, intellect, and courage have always deeply inspired me. Alma’s story is a reminder that with passion and persistence, we can break barriers and explore the world on our own terms.
Ivan Cankar
Ivan Cankar is one of the most renowned Slovenian writers. He wrote a lot of influental Slovenian books, but was a writer at a time when that role wasn’t exactly held in high regard. He drew inspiration from his hometown and its people, which can give you a glimpse into Slovenian life. His work is still a big part of Slovenian identity and values today!
Leon Štukelj
As Slovenia’s first Olympic gold medalist, Leon Štukelj really set the bar high for future athletes. But what makes his story even more amazing is how active and involved he stayed, even into his late 90s. At 97, he was still in great shape and even carried the Olympic torch at the 1996 Atlanta Games! Living nearly 101 years, Štukelj is a true example of lifelong dedication and passion for sport, and well worth mentioning on this list.
Melania Trump
Did you know that the former US president Donald Trump’s wife is Slovenian? Born and raised in Slovenia, she started her journey as a model, working in fashion capitals like Milan and Paris. Eventually she made history by becoming the First Lady of the United States, the first Slovenian to ever do so!
Luka Dončić
When I was visiting countries around the world, many people only knew about Slovenia because of Luka Dončić! He’s one of the best basketball players on the Dallas Mavericks. Luka has really put Slovenia on the global sports map and shows off the passion of the Slovenian people. His success makes many Slovenians proud and proves that this small country can produce some seriously big talent!
Anthony Jeselnik
If you’re a fan of dark comedy, you’ve surely heard of Anthony Jeselnik! Although he wasn’t born in Slovenia, his Slovenian roots might explain his knack for finding humor in the darker corners of life.
How Do You Say People In Slovenian?
People in Slovenian are called ljudje. One person is called oseba, and one human is called človek.
Useful Slovenian Vocabulary About People
When learning a new language, you’ll come across certain words in everyday conversations that are related to people, who they are, and what they do. This can include describing yourself, talking about life, family or discussing different jobs. You can learn all of these words from the table below.
When it comes to certain words like professions, take notes because those have different names, depending on whether they’re talking about a man or a woman. It’s the perfect list to help build your conversational skills!
| English | Slovenian |
|---|---|
| person | oseba |
| people | ljudje |
| man | moški |
| woman | ženska |
| child | otrok |
| family | družina |
| friend | prijatelj/prijateljica |
| neighbor | sosed/soseda |
| citizen | državljan/državljanka |
| foreigner | tujec/tujka |
| name | ime |
| last name | priimek |
| birth | rojstvo |
| death | smrt |
| husband | mož |
| wife | žena |
| brother | brat |
| sister | sestra |
| son | sin |
| daughter | hči |
| father | oče |
| mother | mati |
| grandfather | dedek |
| grandmother | babica |
| cousin | bratranec/sestrična |
| uncle | stric |
| aunt | teta |
| nephew | nečak |
| niece | nečakinja |
| relative | sorodnik/sorodnica |
| colleague | sodelavec/sodelavka |
| boss | šef/šefinja |
| teacher | učitelj/učiteljica |
| student | študent/študentka |
| leader | vodja |
| follower | sledilec/sledilka |
| celebrity | zvezdnik/zvezdnica |
| artist | umetnik/umetnica |
| politician | politik/političarka |
| athlete | športnik/športnica |
| actor | igralec/igralka |
| singer | pevec/pevka |
| group | skupina |
| individual | posameznik |
| worker | delavec/delavka |
| elderly person | starejša oseba |
| young person | mlajša oseba |
| baby | dojenček |
| teenager | najstnik/najstnica |
| youth | mladost |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who Are Slovenians Genetically Closest To?
Slovenians are genetically related to West Slavic, South Slavic, Austrian, and Italian people. These are all groups in Central Europe that help us see how people have migrated and connected in this part of the world over time.
2. What Is The Main Ethnicity In Slovenia?
About 83% of people living in Slovenia are of Slovenian ethnicity. Other smaller groups are Hungarians and Italians.
3. Are Slovenians Slavic Or German?
Slovenians are Slavic. They share culture and language with other Slavic countries. They share some history with the Germanic people, but that doesn’t make them German.
Learning About Slovenia Through Its People
In this blog, we explored the history, traits, and some awesome Slovenian people, which are all part of what makes this small place so unique.
For language learners, it’s super important to understand the vocabulary that relates to people. It’s something you’ll be using every day with your friends, and it’s gonna help you build the foundation for meaningful conversations. With this vocabulary and the cultural insights shared, you’re well on your way to not only learning the Slovenian language but also connecting with the spirit of the Slovenian people!
