Language/Slovak/Vocabulary/Telling-Time
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Welcome to Unit 10 of the "Complete 0 to A1 Slovak Course"! In this lesson, we will dive into the topic of telling time in Slovak. Being able to tell time is an essential skill in any language, and Slovak is no exception. Whether you're scheduling a meeting, catching a train, or simply asking for the time, knowing how to express time accurately is crucial. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently tell time in Slovak, using both the 12-hour and 24-hour clock. So, let's get started!
The Basics of Telling Time[edit | edit source]
Before we learn how to tell time in Slovak, let's review the basics. In Slovak, we use a combination of numbers and words to express time. Let's start with the numbers:
- 0 - nula
- 1 - jeden
- 2 - dva
- 3 - tri
- 4 - štyri
- 5 - päť
- 6 - šesť
- 7 - sedem
- 8 - osem
- 9 - deväť
- 10 - desať
- 11 - jedenásť
- 12 - dvanásť
These numbers will be the building blocks for telling time. Now, let's move on to some key vocabulary words:
- hodina - hour
- minúta - minute
- sekunda - second
- pol - half
- ráno - morning
- popoludnie - afternoon
- večer - evening
- noc - night
With these basic words and numbers in mind, we're ready to start telling time in Slovak!
Telling Time using the 12-hour Clock[edit | edit source]
In Slovak, we use the 12-hour clock system to express time. Here's how it works:
To say "o'clock" in Slovak, we use the word "hodina." For example:
- 6 o'clock - šesť hodín
- 9 o'clock - deväť hodín
To express minutes, we use the word "minúta." For example:
- 3 minutes - tri minúty
- 10 minutes - desať minút
To express half past the hour, we use the word "pol." For example:
- 7:30 - pol ôsma (literally "half eight")
- 1:30 - pol druhá (literally "half one")
To express a quarter past the hour, we use the word "štvrtina." For example:
- 4:15 - štvrtina piatej (literally "a quarter past four")
- 10:15 - štvrtina jedenástej (literally "a quarter past ten")
To express a quarter to the hour, we use the word "tri štvrtiny." For example:
- 2:45 - tri štvrtiny tretej (literally "three quarters to three")
- 8:45 - tri štvrtiny deviatej (literally "three quarters to nine")
Let's see some examples to reinforce what we've learned:
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 | jedna hodina | one o'clock |
| 5:30 | pol šiestej | half past five |
| 9:15 | štvrtina desiatej | a quarter past nine |
| 3:45 | tri štvrtiny štvrtej | three quarters to four |
Telling Time using the 24-hour Clock[edit | edit source]
While the 12-hour clock is widely used in everyday life, the 24-hour clock is commonly used in formal or professional settings in Slovakia. It is especially important to be familiar with the 24-hour clock when dealing with transportation schedules, military time, and international communication. Let's explore how to tell time using the 24-hour clock in Slovak:
To express time in the 24-hour format, we use the numbers from 0 to 23, followed by the word "hodín" to indicate hours. For example:
- 13:00 - trinásť hodín (literally "thirteen hours")
- 19:30 - deväťnásť hodín tridsať (literally "nineteen hours thirty")
To express minutes, we still use the word "minúta" in the singular form. For example:
- 14:05 - štrnásť hodín päť minút (literally "fourteen hours five minutes")
- 21:20 - dvadsaťjeden hodín dvadsať minút (literally "twenty-one hours twenty minutes")
Let's see some examples to further illustrate the usage of the 24-hour clock:
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 15:00 | pätnásť hodín | fifteen o'clock |
| 18:45 | osemnásť hodín štyridsaťpäť | eighteen hours forty-five |
| 22:10 | dvadsaťdva hodín desať | twenty-two hours ten |
| 4:30 | štyri hodiny tridsať | four hours thirty |
Regional Variations and Interesting Facts[edit | edit source]
It's worth noting that there are no significant regional variations in the way time is told in Slovak. However, it's interesting to explore some cultural aspects related to timekeeping in Slovakia.
In traditional Slovak culture, time was often measured by natural phenomena rather than clocks. For example, people would refer to specific events throughout the day to estimate the time, such as the position of the sun or the sounds of nature. This connection to nature's rhythms reflects the close relationship Slovaks have with their environment.
Additionally, Slovakia has a rich tradition of timekeeping through church bells. Church bells have played an important role in signaling the time, announcing religious services, and marking significant events in the community. The sound of church bells echoing through the villages is a cherished cultural symbol in Slovakia.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now it's time for you to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of telling time in Slovak. Try to solve them on your own before checking the solutions provided.
Exercise 1: Translate the following times into Slovak using the 12-hour clock: 1. 8:00 AM 2. 5:45 PM 3. 11:30 PM 4. 2:15 PM
Exercise 2: Translate the following times into Slovak using the 24-hour clock: 1. 9:30 AM 2. 14:20 3. 19:55 4. 23:10
Exercise 3: Write the following times in numerical form using the 12-hour clock: 1. pol štvrtá ráno 2. šesť hodín popoludní 3. pol ôsma večer 4. deväť hodín v noci
Exercise 4: Write the following times in numerical form using the 24-hour clock: 1. pätnásť hodín tridsať minút 2. deväťnásť hodín šesť minút 3. dvadsaťdva hodín päťdesiat minút 4. štyri hodiny štyridsaťpäť minút
Solutions[edit | edit source]
Exercise 1: 1. 8:00 AM - osem hodín ráno 2. 5:45 PM - päť hodín štyridsaťpäť minút popoludní 3. 11:30 PM - jedenásť hodín tridsať minút v noci 4. 2:15 PM - dve hodiny pätnásť minút popoludní
Exercise 2: 1. 9:30 AM - deväť hodín tridsať minút ráno 2. 14:20 - štrnásť hodín dvadsať minút 3. 19:55 - deväťnásť hodín päťdesiatpäť minút 4. 23:10 - dvadsaťtri hodín desať minút
Exercise 3: 1. pol štvrtá ráno - 3:30 AM 2. šesť hodín popoludní - 6:00 PM 3. pol ôsma večer - 7:30 PM 4. deväť hodín v noci - 9:00 PM
Exercise 4: 1. pätnásť hodín tridsať minút - 15:30 2. deväťnásť hodín šesť minút - 19:06 3. dvadsaťdva hodín päťdesiat minút - 22:50 4. štyri hodiny štyridsaťpäť minút - 04:45
Congratulations on completing the exercises! You should now have a good grasp of telling time in Slovak. Keep practicing and using these skills in real-life situations to reinforce your learning.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Telling the time in Slovak | coLanguage
- #1 Best Guide To Date And Time In Slovak! - Ling App
- Slovak - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Transportation
- Idiomatic Expressions
- Health
- Jobs
- Directions
- Days of the Week and Months of the Year
- Colors
- Election
- Parts of the Body
- Family
| ◀️ Slovak Film and Literature — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Days of the Week and Months of the Year ▶️ |