Language/Slovak/Vocabulary/Days-of-the-Week-and-Months-of-the-Year
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we will explore the vocabulary related to the days of the week and months of the year in Slovak. Understanding how to talk about time and dates is essential for daily communication and scheduling appointments. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently discuss the days of the week and months of the year in Slovak. Let's get started!
Days of the Week[edit | edit source]
Let's begin by learning the names of the days of the week in Slovak. Like in many other languages, the names of the days of the week in Slovak are derived from the names of celestial bodies and gods from ancient mythology. Here is a table with the Slovak names, their pronunciations, and their English translations:
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Pondelok | pohn-deh-lohk | Monday |
| Utorok | oo-toh-rohk | Tuesday |
| Streda | streh-dah | Wednesday |
| Štvrtok | shtvohr-tohk | Thursday |
| Piatok | pyah-tohk | Friday |
| Sobota | soh-boh-tah | Saturday |
| Nedeľa | neh-deh-lya | Sunday |
Now let's take a closer look at each day of the week and learn a little more about their meaning and cultural significance in Slovakia.
Pondelok[edit | edit source]
Pondelok, which means "Monday," is derived from the word "pondelie," meaning "the day after Sunday." In many cultures, Monday is often associated with the start of the workweek and the end of the weekend. In Slovakia, Monday is seen as a fresh start to the week, and many people use it to set goals and plan their activities for the coming days.
Utorok[edit | edit source]
Utorok, meaning "Tuesday," is derived from the word "utorok," which means "the second day" in Slovak. Tuesday is often seen as a day to catch up on tasks that were not completed on Monday and to set the pace for the rest of the week. In Slovakia, some people believe that Tuesday is a lucky day for making important decisions or starting new projects.
Streda[edit | edit source]
Streda, meaning "Wednesday," is derived from the word "streda," which means "the middle" in Slovak. Wednesday is often seen as the midpoint of the workweek, a day to reflect on the progress made so far and plan for the remaining days. In Slovakia, Wednesday is sometimes referred to as "štvrtok" (Thursday) by older generations, which can be confusing for foreigners.
Štvrtok[edit | edit source]
Štvrtok, meaning "Thursday," is derived from the word "štvrtok," which means "the fourth day" in Slovak. Thursday is often associated with anticipation for the upcoming weekend, and many people start planning their weekend activities on this day. In Slovakia, Thursday is sometimes referred to as "štvrtok" (Thursday) by older generations, which can be confusing for foreigners.
Piatok[edit | edit source]
Piatok, meaning "Friday," is derived from the word "piatok," which means "the fifth day" in Slovak. Friday is often seen as a day to wrap up work, tie up loose ends, and prepare for the weekend. In Slovakia, Friday is a popular day for socializing with friends and colleagues after work, and many people look forward to the start of the weekend.
Sobota[edit | edit source]
Sobota, meaning "Saturday," is derived from the word "sobota," which means "Sabbath" in Slovak. Saturday is traditionally a day of rest and leisure in Slovakia, and many people use it to spend time with family, engage in hobbies, or participate in recreational activities. In recent years, however, the pace of life has become busier, and Saturdays are often filled with various commitments and responsibilities.
Nedeľa[edit | edit source]
Nedeľa, meaning "Sunday," is derived from the word "nedeľa," which means "the day with no work" in Slovak. Sunday is considered a day of rest and is often associated with religious observances and family gatherings in Slovakia. Many people use Sundays to relax, spend time outdoors, or engage in activities that bring them joy and rejuvenation.
Months of the Year[edit | edit source]
Now let's move on to learning the names of the months of the year in Slovak. Here is a table with the Slovak names, their pronunciations, and their English translations:
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Január | yah-noo-ar | January |
| Február | feh-broo-ar | February |
| Marec | mah-rets | March |
| Apríl | ah-preehl | April |
| Máj | mahy | May |
| Jún | yoohn | June |
| Júl | yoohl | July |
| August | ow-goost | August |
| September | sehp-tem-ber | September |
| Október | ok-toh-ber | October |
| November | noh-vehm-ber | November |
| December | deh-tsem-ber | December |
Now let's explore some interesting cultural facts and anecdotes about the months of the year in Slovakia.
Január[edit | edit source]
Január, or January, marks the beginning of the new year and is often associated with new beginnings, resolutions, and fresh starts. In Slovakia, the first day of the year, January 1st, is a public holiday known as "Deň vzniku Slovenskej republiky" (Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic). It is a day of celebration and reflection on Slovak independence.
Február[edit | edit source]
Február, or February, is known for its fluctuating weather and is often associated with the end of winter and the anticipation of spring. In Slovakia, February 14th is celebrated as "Deň svätého Valentína" (Valentine's Day), a day to express love and affection to romantic partners and loved ones.
Marec[edit | edit source]
Marec, or March, marks the transition from winter to spring and is often seen as a month of new life and renewal. In Slovakia, March 8th is celebrated as "Medzinárodný deň žien" (International Women's Day), a day to honor and appreciate the contributions of women in society.
Apríl[edit | edit source]
Apríl, or April, is known for its unpredictable weather and is often associated with pranks and jokes. In Slovakia, April 1st is celebrated as "Deň bláznov" (Fool's Day), a day when people play practical jokes on each other and engage in light-hearted mischief.
Máj[edit | edit source]
Máj, or May, is a month of blossoming nature and is often associated with the arrival of spring and the celebration of labor. In Slovakia, May 1st is celebrated as "Sviatok práce" (Labor Day), a public holiday honoring workers and their contributions to society. May 8th is also celebrated as "Deň víťazstva nad fašizmom" (Victory Day over Fascism), commemorating the end of World War II.
Jún[edit | edit source]
Jún, or June, marks the beginning of summer and is often associated with warm weather and outdoor activities. In Slovakia, June 24th is celebrated as "Deň svätého Jána" (St. John's Day), a day of bonfires and festivities to honor the summer solstice.
Júl[edit | edit source]
Júl, or July, is a month of vacation and relaxation in Slovakia. Many people take advantage of the warm weather to go on holiday, spend time with family, or enjoy outdoor activities. Additionally, July 5th is celebrated as "Deň svätého Cyrila a Metoda" (St. Cyril and Methodius Day), honoring the Byzantine Christian missionaries who brought Christianity and the Cyrillic alphabet to the Slavic people.
August[edit | edit source]
August, pronounced the same way as in English, is a month of harvest and abundance in Slovakia. Many people take vacations during this time to enjoy the last days of summer before the start of the school year. Additionally, August 29th is celebrated as "Deň Slovenského národného povstania" (Day of the Slovak National Uprising), commemorating the resistance against the fascist regime during World War II.
September[edit | edit source]
September, pronounced the same way as in English, marks the transition from summer to autumn in Slovakia. The weather starts to cool down, and the leaves on the trees begin to change color. In Slovakia, September 1st is celebrated as "Deň Ústavy Slovenskej republiky" (Constitution Day), commemorating the adoption of the Slovak Constitution in 1992.
Október[edit | edit source]
Október, or October, is a month of harvest and preparation for winter in Slovakia. Many traditional festivals and events take place during this time, showcasing Slovak culture, food, and music. Additionally, October 28th is celebrated as "Deň vzniku Československej republiky" (Day of the Establishment of Czechoslovakia), marking the creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918.
November[edit | edit source]
November, pronounced the same way as in English, is often associated with autumnal weather and the remembrance of the deceased. In Slovakia, November 1st is celebrated as "Deň všetkých svätých" (All Saints' Day), a day to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Many people visit cemeteries to light candles and lay flowers on the graves of their ancestors.
December[edit | edit source]
December, pronounced the same way as in English, is a month of festivities and celebrations in Slovakia. Christmas is the most important holiday of the year, and many traditions and customs are associated with it. December 24th is celebrated as "Štedrý večer" (Christmas Eve), a time for families to gather, exchange gifts, and share a festive meal. December 25th and 26th are public holidays known as "Prvý sviatok vianočný" (First Christmas Day) and "Druhý sviatok vianočný" (Second Christmas Day), respectively, and are dedicated to religious observances and spending time with loved ones.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now that we have learned the vocabulary related to the days of the week and months of the year in Slovak, let's practice using them in context. Complete the following exercises and check your answers below:
Exercise 1: Days of the Week Match the Slovak days of the week with their English translations.
- Pondelok
- Utorok
- Streda
- Štvrtok
- Piatok
- Sobota
- Nedeľa
Exercise 2: Months of the Year Match the Slovak months of the year with their English translations.
- Január
- Február
- Marec
- Apríl
- Máj
- Jún
- Júl
- August
- September
- Október
- November
- December
Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks Fill in the blanks with the appropriate day of the week or month of the year in Slovak.
1. V piatok idem na __________. (Friday) 2. Narodeniny mám v __________. (October) 3. __________ je deň pracujúcich ľudí. (May) 4. __________ je prvý deň týždňa. (Monday) 5. __________ je najhorúcejším mesiacom v roku. (July)
Solutions[edit | edit source]
Exercise 1:
- Pondelok - Monday
- Utorok - Tuesday
- Streda - Wednesday
- Štvrtok - Thursday
- Piatok - Friday
- Sobota - Saturday
- Nedeľa - Sunday
Exercise 2:
- Január - January
- Február - February
- Marec - March
- Apríl - April
- Máj - May
- Jún - June
- Júl - July
- August - August
- September - September
- Október - October
- November - November
- December - December
Exercise 3: 1. V piatok idem na nákupy. (Friday) 2. Narodeniny mám v októbri. (October) 3. Máj je deň pracujúcich ľudí. (May) 4. Pondelok je prvý deň týždňa. (Monday) 5. Júl je najhorúcejším mesiacom v roku. (July)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have successfully learned the vocabulary related to the days of the week and months of the year in Slovak. By mastering this essential topic, you are now equipped to confidently discuss time and dates in Slovak. Keep practicing and using these words in your daily conversations to reinforce your learning. In the next lesson, we will explore vocabulary related to holidays and celebrations in Slovakia. See you there!
Videos[edit | edit source]
Learn Slovak 4: Days of the week - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Time Periods
- Seasons
- Animals
- Animal
- Election
- Holidays and Celebrations
- Food
- Greetings
- Days of the Week
- Health
| ◀️ Telling Time — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Holidays and Celebrations ▶️ |