Language/Slovenian/Vocabulary/Saying-hello-and-goodbye

Slovenian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Saying hello and goodbye

Welcome to this lesson on saying hello and goodbye in Slovenian! Understanding how to greet others and bid farewell is essential in any language, as these simple exchanges are the foundation of social interaction. In Slovenia, greetings can range from formal to informal, reflecting the relationships between speakers and the context of the conversation.

In this lesson, we will cover:

• Basic greetings and farewells

• How to ask someone how they are doing

• Responses to greetings

• Cultural nuances related to greetings in Slovenia

By the end of this lesson, you will be equipped with the vocabulary and phrases necessary to navigate social interactions in Slovenian. Let's dive right in!

Basic Greetings

Slovenian offers a variety of ways to say hello, depending on the time of day and the formality of the situation. Below are some common greetings:

Slovenian	Pronunciation	English
Zdravo	/ˈzdrɑːʊ/	Hello
Dobro jutro	/ˈdɔbrɔ ˈjuːtrɔ/	Good morning
Dober dan	/ˈdɔbɛr dɑːn/	Good day
Dober večer	/ˈdɔbɛr ˈʋɛtʃɛr/	Good evening
Čau	/tʃaʊ/	Hi / Bye
Živjo	/ˈʒiːvjɔ/	Hello (informal)
Lep dan	/lɛp dɑːn/	Have a nice day
Kako si?	/ˈkɑːkɔ siː/	How are you? (informal)
Kako ste?	/ˈkɑːkɔ stɛ/	How are you? (formal)
Kako gre?	/ˈkɑːkɔ ɡrɛ/	How's it going?

As you can see, greetings can vary based on the time of day and the level of formality. When meeting someone for the first time or in a formal setting, it's best to use "Dober dan" or "Kako ste?". In more casual situations, "Zdravo" or "Čau" will suffice.

Asking How Someone Is

In Slovenian, asking how someone is doing is an important part of social interaction. Here are phrases you can use:

Slovenian	Pronunciation	English
Kako si?	/ˈkɑːkɔ siː/	How are you? (informal)
Kako ste?	/ˈkɑːkɔ stɛ/	How are you? (formal)
Kako gre?	/ˈkɑːkɔ ɡrɛ/	How's it going?
Kako je?	/ˈkɑːkɔ jɛ/	How's it?
Kaj novega?	/ˈkaɪ ˈnɔvɛɡa/	What's new?

When responding to these questions, it's common to share a brief update about yourself. Here are some typical responses:

Slovenian	Pronunciation	English
Dobro sem, hvala.	/ˈdɔbrɔ sɛm, ˈxʋalɑ/	I’m good, thank you.
Ni slabo.	/niː ˈslɑːbɔ/	Not bad.
Kar se dogaja?	/kɑːr sɛ dɔˈɡɑːjɑ/	What’s happening?
Vse je v redu.	/ˈʋsɛ jɛ ˈʋ rɛdʊ/	Everything is fine.
Nisem preveč dobre volje.	/ˈniːsɛm ˈprɛʋɛtʃ ˈdɔbrɛ ˈʋɔlʲɛ/	I’m not in the best mood.

By practicing these greetings and responses, you'll be well on your way to engaging in friendly conversations in Slovenian!

Saying Goodbye

Just as important as greeting someone is knowing how to say goodbye. Here are some common phrases:

Slovenian	Pronunciation	English
Nasvidenje	/nɑːsˈʋidɛɲɛ/	Goodbye (formal)
Adijo	/aˈdiːjɔ/	Farewell
Čau	/tʃaʊ/	Bye (informal)
Se vidimo	/sɛ ˈʋidimɔ/	See you
Lepo se imejte	/ˈlɛpɔ sɛ ˈiːmɛjtɛ/	Take care

These phrases will help you part ways politely and warmly. The choice between "Nasvidenje" and "Čau" depends on the formality of the situation.

Cultural Nuances

In Slovenia, greetings can reflect cultural values such as respect and politeness. Here are a few cultural tips to keep in mind:

• Formality: In formal situations or when meeting someone older or of higher status, it’s customary to use "Kako ste?" and "Nasvidenje."

• Personal Connection: Slovenes appreciate a personal touch, so asking "Kako gre?" or "Kaj novega?" shows that you care about the other person.

• Warmth: When saying goodbye, a warm "Se vidimo" can foster a sense of connection that lasts beyond the encounter.

Understanding these nuances will enrich your experience in Slovenia and help you connect with locals more effectively.

Practice Exercises

Now that you're familiar with basic greetings, let’s put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises to help reinforce what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct Slovenian greeting.

1. _____, kako si? (Hello, how are you?)

2. _____ dan, gospa! (Good day, ma’am!)

3. _____, se vidimo jutri! (Bye, see you tomorrow!)

Exercise 2: Match the Greeting

Match the Slovenian greetings with their English translations.

Slovenian	English
A. Zdravo	1. Goodbye (formal)
B. Adijo	2. Hi / Bye
C. Dober večer	3. Good evening
D. Nasvidenje	4. Goodbye

Exercise 3: Listening Comprehension

Listen to your teacher say the greetings and write down what you hear.

1. ______________

2. ______________

3. ______________

Exercise 4: Role Play

Pair up with a partner and take turns greeting each other using different phrases. Use at least five different greetings and responses.

Exercise 5: Create a Dialogue

Write a short dialogue using greetings and farewells. Include at least three exchanges.

Exercise 6: Correct the Mistakes

Find and correct the mistakes in the following sentences:

1. Zdravo, Kako ste?

2. Dober večer, čau!

3. Lepo se imejte, Adijo!

Exercise 7: Translate the Phrases

Translate the following phrases into Slovenian:

1. How are you?

2. See you later!

3. Goodbye!

Exercise 8: Create Your Own Greetings

Invent three new greetings or farewells you could use in a casual setting and provide their English translations.

Exercise 9: Group Discussion

In small groups, discuss your experiences with greetings in your own culture. How do they compare to Slovenian greetings?

Exercise 10: Self-Reflection

Write a short paragraph reflecting on what you learned in this lesson. How do you feel about using these greetings in real-life situations?

Solutions

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. Zdravo, kako si?

2. Dober dan, gospa!

3. Čau, se vidimo jutri!

Exercise 2: Match the Greeting

A - 2, B - 4, C - 3, D - 1

Exercise 3: Listening Comprehension

1. Zdravo

2. Dober dan

3. Nasvidenje

Exercise 4: Role Play

(Varies by pair - encourage creativity and use of learned phrases)

Exercise 5: Create a Dialogue

(Varies - students should showcase their understanding)

Exercise 6: Correct the Mistakes

1. Zdravo, kako ste?

2. Dober večer, čau!

3. Lepo se imejte, nasvidenje!

Exercise 7: Translate the Phrases

1. Kako si?

2. Se vidimo kasneje!

3. Adijo!

Exercise 8: Create Your Own Greetings

(Varies - students should invent phrases)

Exercise 9: Group Discussion

(Varies - encourage sharing of experiences)

Exercise 10: Self-Reflection

(Varies - students should reflect personally)

By practicing these exercises, you will solidify your understanding of how to greet and bid farewell in Slovenian. Keep practicing, and soon you'll feel comfortable using these phrases in everyday conversations!

Table of Contents - Slovenian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Singular and Plural Nouns
• Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time
• Days of the Week

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
• Adverbs

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Hobbies and Free Time

• Common Hobbies
• Talking about Free Time

  ---

Slovenian Customs and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Food and Drink

Sources

• Greeting & Farewell in Slovenian » App2Brain
• 20 Easy Greetings In Slovenian You Need To Learn - Ling App
• Useful Slovenian phrases

Other Lessons

• Drinks
• Languages Jeziki
• Introducing yourself and others
• Education
• Animals
• Feelings and Emotions
• Household items and furniture
• Food
• Useful phrases
• Numbers