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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Slovenian|Slovenian]]  → [[Language/Slovenian/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Slovenian/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Verbs and Tenses → Past Tense</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Slovenian|Slovenian]]  → [[Language/Slovenian/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Slovenian/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Past Tense</div>
 
Welcome to this exciting lesson on forming the '''Past Tense''' in Slovenian! Understanding how to express actions that have already happened is essential for effective communication. Whether you're reminiscing about a wonderful vacation or recounting your previous day’s adventures, mastering the past tense will enhance your Slovenian language skills significantly.
 
In this lesson, we will explore the following key points:
 
* The structure of the past tense in Slovenian, emphasizing the auxiliary verb '''biti''' (to be).
 
* How to form past active participles.
 
* A variety of examples to illustrate these concepts.
 
* Practical exercises to help you solidify your understanding.
 
Let's dive into the world of Slovenian grammar and unlock the secrets of the past tense!


__TOC__
__TOC__


== Introduction ==
=== The Structure of the Past Tense ===


Welcome to the lesson on the past tense in Slovenian! In this lesson, we will explore how to form the past tense using the auxiliary verb 'biti' and past active participles. The past tense is an essential part of any language, as it allows us to talk about actions and events that have already happened. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how to use the past tense in Slovenian and be able to form sentences in the past tense with ease.
In Slovenian, the past tense is formed using the auxiliary verb '''biti''' in the past tense along with the past active participle of the main verb. This structure is quite similar to the way many English speakers form the present perfect tense.


== The Importance of the Past Tense ==
* '''Auxiliary Verb''': '''biti''' (to be)


The past tense is crucial in Slovenian as it enables us to discuss past events and actions. Whether you want to share a personal experience, talk about historical events, or simply recount what you did yesterday, the past tense is essential. By learning how to form and use the past tense, you will greatly expand your ability to communicate in Slovenian and express yourself in a variety of situations.
* '''Past Active Participle''': This is the form of the main verb that indicates completed action.


== Structure of the Lesson ==
'''Example Structure''':


To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the past tense, we will cover the following topics:
* '''English''': I was (biti) happy (past participle of the verb "to be").


1. Formation of the past tense using the auxiliary verb 'biti'
* '''Slovenian''': Bil sem srečen (masculine) / Bila sem srečna (feminine).
2. Understanding the concept of past active participles
3. Conjugating regular and irregular verbs in the past tense
4. Common phrases and expressions used in the past tense


Throughout the lesson, we will provide numerous examples and exercises to reinforce your understanding of the past tense. Additionally, we will explore any regional variations in the usage of the past tense and share interesting cultural facts related to this topic. So let's dive in and start learning about the past tense in Slovenian!
Here’s how the formation works in a bit more detail:


== Formation of the Past Tense ==
1. '''Conjugate the verb biti''' in the past tense according to the subject (I, you, he/she/it, we, you (plural), they).


In Slovenian, the past tense is formed using the auxiliary verb 'biti' (to be) and the past active participle of the main verb. The past active participle is a verb form that indicates a completed action or state in the past. To form the past tense, we conjugate 'biti' according to the subject and add the appropriate past active participle. Let's take a look at the conjugation of 'biti' in the past tense:
2. '''Use the appropriate past active participle''' for the main verb, which agrees in gender and number with the subject.
 
=== Conjugation of Biti in the Past Tense ===
 
Here’s a quick overview of how to conjugate '''biti''' in the past tense:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Slovenian !! Pronunciation !! English
 
! Person !! Slovenian !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
|-
| Sem bil/bila || Sem beel/beela || I was
 
| 1st Person Singular (I) || Bil sem (masculine) / Bila sem (feminine) || bil sem / bila sem || I was
 
|-
|-
| Si bil/bila || Si beel/beela || You (singular) were
 
| 2nd Person Singular (You) || Bil si (masculine) / Bila si (feminine) || bil si / bila si || You were
 
|-
|-
| Je bil/bila || Ye beel/beela || He/she/it was
 
| 3rd Person Singular (He/She/It) || Bil je (masculine) / Bila je (feminine) || bil je / bila je || He/She/It was
 
|-
|-
| Sva bila || Sva beela || We were (dual)
 
| 1st Person Plural (We) || Bili smo (masculine) / Bile smo (feminine) || bili smo / bile smo || We were
 
|-
|-
| Ste bili/bile || Ste beeli/beele || You (plural) were
 
| 2nd Person Plural (You all) || Bili ste (masculine) / Bile ste (feminine) || bili ste / bile ste || You were
 
|-
|-
| So bili/bile || So beeli/beele || They were
 
| 3rd Person Plural (They) || Bili so (masculine) / Bile so (feminine) || bili so / bile so || They were
 
|}
|}


Keep in mind that the past active participle of the main verb changes depending on the gender and number of the subject. We will discuss this in more detail later in the lesson.
=== Past Active Participles ===
 
Past active participles in Slovenian are formed by modifying the verb stem, and they also agree in gender and number with the subject. Here are the general rules:


== Past Active Participles ==
1. For regular verbs ending in '''-ati''' (like "delati" - to work), the participle ends in '''-al''' (masculine), '''-ala''' (feminine), '''-alo''' (neuter), and '''-ali''' (plural).


The past active participle is an important component of forming the past tense in Slovenian. It is derived from the infinitive form of the verb and indicates a completed action or state in the past. Let's take a look at how to form the past active participle for regular verbs:
2. For regular verbs ending in '''-iti''' (like "videti" - to see), the participle ends in '''-el''' (masculine), '''-ela''' (feminine), '''-elo''' (neuter), and '''-eli''' (plural).


=== Regular Verbs ===
3. For regular verbs ending in '''-eti''' (like "smejati" - to laugh), the participle ends in '''-el''' (masculine), '''-ela''' (feminine), '''-elo''' (neuter), and '''-eli''' (plural).


For regular verbs, the past active participle is formed by removing the infinitive ending (-ti, -či, -sti, -ži, or -ći) and adding the appropriate ending based on the gender and number of the subject. Here are the endings for regular verbs:
Let's look at some examples of how to form past active participles:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Gender/Number !! Ending
 
! Slovenian Verb !! Past Active Participle (Masculine) !! Past Active Participle (Feminine) !! English Translation
 
|-
|-
| Masculine, singular || -l
 
| delati (to work) || delal || delala || worked
 
|-
|-
| Feminine, singular || -la
 
| videti (to see) || videl || videla || saw
 
|-
|-
| Neuter, singular || -lo
 
| smejati (to laugh) || smejal || smejala || laughed
 
|-
|-
| Masculine, plural || -li
 
| igrati (to play) || igral || igrala || played
 
|-
|-
| Feminine, plural || -le
 
| govoriti (to speak) || govoril || govorila || spoke
 
|}
 
=== Forming Sentences in the Past Tense ===
 
Now that we have the structure down, let’s combine the auxiliary verb '''biti''' with the past active participles to form complete sentences. Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Slovenian !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| Bil sem učitelj. || bil sem uːˈtʃeɪtl || I was a teacher.
 
|-
|-
| Neuter, plural || -la
|}


Let's see some examples:
| Bila sem srečna. || bila sem ˈsreːtʃna || I was happy.
 
|-


* Plesati (to dance)
| Bili smo na morju. || bili smo na ˈmɔrju || We were at the sea.
  * Plesal (masculine, singular) - Plesal sem (I danced)
  * Plesala (feminine, singular) - Plesala sem (I danced)
  * Plesalo (neuter, singular) - Plesalo sem (I danced)
  * Plesali (masculine, plural) - Plesali smo (We danced)
  * Plesale (feminine, plural) - Plesale smo (We danced)
  * Plesala (neuter, plural) - Plesala smo (We danced)


=== Irregular Verbs ===
|-


Irregular verbs have their own unique forms for the past active participle. It's important to familiarize yourself with the irregular verbs and their corresponding past active participle forms. Here are some examples:
| Bila ste prijateljice. || bila ste priˈjateljitse || You (plural) were friends.


* Imeti (to have)
|-
  * Imel (masculine, singular) - Imel sem (I had)
  * Imela (feminine, singular) - Imela sem (I had)
  * Imelo (neuter, singular) - Imelo sem (I had)
  * Imeli (masculine, plural) - Imeli smo (We had)
  * Imele (feminine, plural) - Imele smo (We had)
  * Imela (neuter, plural) - Imela smo (We had)


* Piti (to drink)
| Bil je doma. || bil je doˈma || He was at home.
  * Pil (masculine, singular) - Pil sem (I drank)
  * Pila (feminine, singular) - Pila sem (I drank)
  * Pilo (neuter, singular) - Pilo sem (I drank)
  * Pili (masculine, plural) - Pili smo (We drank)
  * Pile (feminine, plural) - Pile smo (We drank)
  * Pila (neuter, plural) - Pila smo (We drank)


== Conjugating Verbs in the Past Tense ==
|}


Now that we understand how to form the past tense using the auxiliary verb 'biti' and the past active participle, let's explore how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the past tense. The conjugation of the main verb is based on the subject, while the conjugation of 'biti' remains the same as we discussed earlier. Let's take a look at some examples:
As you can see, the past tense allows you to share experiences and tell stories effectively.  


=== Regular Verbs ===
=== Examples of Past Tense in Context ===


To conjugate regular verbs in the past tense, we need to combine the appropriate form of 'biti' with the past active participle of the main verb. Let's see some examples using the verb 'delati' (to work):
To help you grasp the past tense better, here are more examples in context:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Slovenian !! Pronunciation !! English
! Slovenian !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Danes sem šel v trgovino. || ˈdanɛs sem ʃɛl v trɡoˈvino || Today I went to the store.
|-
|-
| Jaz sem delal/delala || Yas sem delal/delala || I worked
 
| Včeraj sem videla film. || vˈtʃɛːraɪ sem ˈvidɛla ˈfilɛm || Yesterday I saw a movie.
 
|-
 
| Pred dvema tednoma smo potovali. || prɛd ˈdvɛma ˈtɛdnoma smo poˈtavali || Two weeks ago we traveled.
 
|-
|-
| Ti si delal/delala || Tee see delal/delala || You (singular) worked
 
| Lani sem obiskal Ljubljano. || ˈlani sem oˈbiskal ljuˈbljano || Last year I visited Ljubljana.
 
|-
|-
| On/ona/ono je delal/delala || On/ona/ono ye delal/delala || He/she/it worked
 
| V prejšnjem mesecu so imeli zabavo. || v ˈprɛiʃnjɛm ˈmɛsɛcu so iˈmɛli zaˈbavo || Last month they had a party.
 
|}
 
=== Exercises ===
 
Now it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises designed to reinforce what you've learned about the past tense in Slovenian.
 
=== Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks ===
 
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of '''biti''' in the past tense.
 
1. ___ sem srečen. (I was happy)
 
2. ___ je doma. (He was at home)
 
3. ___ ste na počitnicah. (You were on vacation)
 
=== Exercise 2: Create Sentences ===
 
Using the verbs given, create sentences in the past tense.
 
1. delati (to work)
 
2. videti (to see)
 
3. igrati (to play)
 
=== Exercise 3: Translate to Slovenian ===
 
Translate the following sentences into Slovenian.
 
1. They were friends.
 
2. I saw a movie yesterday.
 
3. We traveled to the mountains last year.
 
=== Exercise 4: Identify the Past Active Participle ===
 
Identify the past active participle in the following sentences.
 
1. Bila sem srečna.
 
2. Bili smo na morju.
 
3. Videla sem film.
 
=== Exercise 5: Conjugate Biti ===
 
Conjugate the verb '''biti''' in the past tense for the following subjects.
 
1. I (masculine)
 
2. She
 
3. We (feminine)
 
=== Exercise 6: Match the Phrases ===
 
Match the Slovenian phrases with their English translations.
 
1. Bil sem v šoli. 
 
2. Bila ste srečne. 
 
3. Bili so v restavraciji. 
 
a. They were in the restaurant. 
 
b. You (plural) were happy. 
 
c. I was at school. 
 
=== Exercise 7: Create a Short Story ===
 
Write a short story (3-5 sentences) about what you did yesterday using the past tense.
 
=== Exercise 8: Correct the Mistakes ===
 
Find and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
 
1. Bil je srečna.
 
2. Bili smo na morje.
 
3. Bila sem igrali.
 
=== Exercise 9: Complete the Table ===
 
Complete the table with the past active participle forms for the given verbs.
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Slovenian Verb !! Past Active Participle (Masculine) !! Past Active Participle (Feminine)
 
|-
|-
| Midva/sva delala || Midva/sva delala || We worked (dual)
 
| pisati (to write) || ?? || ??
 
|-
|-
| Viva/Vsi/Vse smo delali/delale || Viva/Vsee/Vse smo delali/delale || You (plural) worked
 
| jesti (to eat) || ?? || ??
 
|-
|-
| Oni/one/ona so delali/delale || Oni/one/ona so delali/delale || They worked
 
| piti (to drink) || ?? || ??
 
|}
|}


=== Irregular Verbs ===
=== Exercise 10: Rewrite the Sentences ===
 
Rewrite the following sentences in the past tense.


Irregular verbs have their own unique conjugation patterns in the past tense. Let's take a look at some examples:
1. I am happy.


* Iti (to go)
2. We play football.
  * Jaz sem šel/šla (I went)
  * Ti si šel/šla (You went)
  * On/ona/ono je šel/šla (He/she/it went)
  * Midva/sva šla (We went)
  * Viva/Vsi/Vse smo šli/šle (You went)
  * Oni/one/ona so šli/šle (They went)


* Videti (to see)
3. She sees a friend.
  * Jaz sem videl/videla (I saw)
  * Ti si videl/videla (You saw)
  * On/ona/ono je videl/videla (He/she/it saw)
  * Midva/sva videla (We saw)
  * Viva/Vsi/Vse smo videli/videla (You saw)
  * Oni/one/ona so videli/videla (They saw)


== Cultural Insights ==
=== Solutions and Explanations ===


The past tense is used in various contexts in Slovenian culture. Slovenians take pride in their rich history and traditions, and the past tense allows them to convey stories and experiences from the past. Slovenian folk tales, historical events, and personal narratives often make use of the past tense to transport listeners or readers to a different time. Additionally, the past tense is essential when discussing Slovenian historical figures, such as the national poet France Prešeren or the national hero Primož Trubar. By understanding and using the past tense, you can engage more deeply with Slovenian culture and connect with its people on a personal level.
After you've completed the exercises, here are the solutions and explanations:


== Exercises ==
=== Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks ===


To practice what you've learned so far, let's do some exercises:
1. Bil sem srečen. (I was happy)


1. Conjugate the verb 'igrati' (to play) in the past tense for the following subjects:
2. Bil je doma. (He was at home)
  * Jaz (I)
  * Ti (You, singular)
  * Ona (She)
  * Mi (We, dual)
  * Vi (You, plural)
  * Oni (They)


2. Form the past active participle for the following regular verbs:
3. Bili ste na počitnicah. (You were on vacation)
  * Gledati (to watch)
  * Brati (to read)
  * Plesati (to dance)


3. Conjugate the irregular verb 'jesti' (to eat) in the past tense for the following subjects:
=== Exercise 2: Create Sentences ===
  * Jaz (I)
  * Ti (You, singular)
  * On (He)
  * Midva (We, dual)
  * Vi (You, plural)
  * Oni (They)


== Solutions ==
1. Delal sem v pisarni. (I worked in the office.)


1. Conjugation of 'igrati' (to play) in the past tense:
2. Videla sem lep film. (I saw a beautiful movie.)
  * Jaz sem igral/igrala (I played)
  * Ti si igral/igrala (You played)
  * Ona je igrala (She played)
  * Mi sva igrala (We played)
  * Vi ste igrali/igrale (You played)
  * Oni so igrali/igrale (They played)


2. Past active participles for the regular verbs:
3. Igrali smo nogomet. (We played football.)
  * Gledati (to watch) - Gledal (masculine, singular), Gledala (feminine, singular), Gledalo (neuter, singular), Gledali (masculine, plural), Gledale (feminine, plural), Gledala (neuter, plural)
  * Brati (to read) - Bral (masculine, singular), Brala (feminine, singular), Bralo (neuter, singular), Brali (masculine, plural), Brale (feminine, plural), Brala (neuter, plural)
  * Plesati (to dance) - Plesal (masculine, singular), Plesala (feminine, singular), Plesalo (neuter, singular), Plesali (masculine, plural), Plesale (feminine, plural), Plesala (neuter, plural)


3. Conjugation of 'jesti' (to eat) in the past tense:
=== Exercise 3: Translate to Slovenian ===
  * Jaz sem jedel/jedla (I ate)
  * Ti si jedel/jedla (You ate)
  * On je jedel (He ate)
  * Midva sva jedla (We ate)
  * Vi ste jedli/jedle (You ate)
  * Oni so jedli/jedle (They ate)


== Conclusion ==
1. Bili so prijatelji. (They were friends.)


Congratulations on completing the lesson on the past tense in Slovenian! You have learned how to form the past tense using the auxiliary verb 'biti' and past active participles. The past tense is a vital aspect of Slovenian grammar, allowing you to discuss past events and actions. By practicing the conjugation of regular and irregular verbs, you have developed a solid foundation for expressing yourself in the past tense. Keep practicing and exploring the rich cultural context in which the past tense is used, and you will continue to improve your Slovenian language skills. Good luck!
2. Včeraj sem videla film. (I saw a movie yesterday.)
 
3. Potovali smo v gore lani. (We traveled to the mountains last year.)
 
=== Exercise 4: Identify the Past Active Participle ===
 
1. srečna
 
2. na morju
 
3. film
 
=== Exercise 5: Conjugate Biti ===
 
1. Bil sem (I was - masculine)
 
2. Bila je (She was)
 
3. Bile smo (We were - feminine)
 
=== Exercise 6: Match the Phrases ===
 
1. c (I was at school.)
 
2. b (You (plural) were happy.)
 
3. a (They were in the restaurant.)
 
=== Exercise 7: Create a Short Story ===
 
Example response: "Včeraj sem šel v trgovino. Kupil sem kruh in mleko. Potem sem šel domov." (Yesterday I went to the store. I bought bread and milk. Then I went home.)
 
=== Exercise 8: Correct the Mistakes ===
 
1. Bil je srečen. (He was happy.)
 
2. Bili smo na morju. (We were at the sea.)
 
3. Bila sem igrala. (I played - feminine.)
 
=== Exercise 9: Complete the Table ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Slovenian Verb !! Past Active Participle (Masculine) !! Past Active Participle (Feminine)
 
|-
 
| pisati (to write) || pisal || pisala
 
|-
 
| jesti (to eat) || jedel || jedla
 
|-
 
| piti (to drink) || pil || pila
 
|}
 
=== Exercise 10: Rewrite the Sentences ===
 
1. Bil sem srečen. (I was happy.)
 
2. Igrali smo nogomet. (We played football.)
 
3. Videla je prijatelja. (She saw a friend.)
 
By now, you should have a firm grasp of how to form and use the past tense in Slovenian. Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep using these structures in your conversations and writing, and soon you’ll be recounting your experiences with ease.
 
Until next time, keep exploring the beautiful Slovenian language!


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|keywords=Slovenian grammar, past tense in Slovenian, Slovenian past tense, forming past tense in Slovenian, past active participles in Slovenian
|title=Learn Slovenian Past Tense
|description=Learn how to form the past tense in Slovenian using the auxiliary verb 'biti' and past active participles. Develop a solid understanding of the past tense in Slovenian through comprehensive explanations, examples, and exercises.
 
|keywords=Slovenian grammar, past tense, auxiliary verb biti, Slovenian verbs
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to form the past tense in Slovenian using the auxiliary verb 'biti' and past active participles with engaging examples and exercises.
 
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Latest revision as of 03:14, 2 August 2024

◀️ Present Tense — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Future Tense ▶️

Slovenian-Language-PolyglotClub.png
Slovenian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Past Tense

Welcome to this exciting lesson on forming the Past Tense in Slovenian! Understanding how to express actions that have already happened is essential for effective communication. Whether you're reminiscing about a wonderful vacation or recounting your previous day’s adventures, mastering the past tense will enhance your Slovenian language skills significantly.

In this lesson, we will explore the following key points:

  • The structure of the past tense in Slovenian, emphasizing the auxiliary verb biti (to be).
  • How to form past active participles.
  • A variety of examples to illustrate these concepts.
  • Practical exercises to help you solidify your understanding.

Let's dive into the world of Slovenian grammar and unlock the secrets of the past tense!

The Structure of the Past Tense[edit | edit source]

In Slovenian, the past tense is formed using the auxiliary verb biti in the past tense along with the past active participle of the main verb. This structure is quite similar to the way many English speakers form the present perfect tense.

  • Auxiliary Verb: biti (to be)
  • Past Active Participle: This is the form of the main verb that indicates completed action.

Example Structure:

  • English: I was (biti) happy (past participle of the verb "to be").
  • Slovenian: Bil sem srečen (masculine) / Bila sem srečna (feminine).

Here’s how the formation works in a bit more detail:

1. Conjugate the verb biti in the past tense according to the subject (I, you, he/she/it, we, you (plural), they).

2. Use the appropriate past active participle for the main verb, which agrees in gender and number with the subject.

Conjugation of Biti in the Past Tense[edit | edit source]

Here’s a quick overview of how to conjugate biti in the past tense:

Person Slovenian Pronunciation English
1st Person Singular (I) Bil sem (masculine) / Bila sem (feminine) bil sem / bila sem I was
2nd Person Singular (You) Bil si (masculine) / Bila si (feminine) bil si / bila si You were
3rd Person Singular (He/She/It) Bil je (masculine) / Bila je (feminine) bil je / bila je He/She/It was
1st Person Plural (We) Bili smo (masculine) / Bile smo (feminine) bili smo / bile smo We were
2nd Person Plural (You all) Bili ste (masculine) / Bile ste (feminine) bili ste / bile ste You were
3rd Person Plural (They) Bili so (masculine) / Bile so (feminine) bili so / bile so They were

Past Active Participles[edit | edit source]

Past active participles in Slovenian are formed by modifying the verb stem, and they also agree in gender and number with the subject. Here are the general rules:

1. For regular verbs ending in -ati (like "delati" - to work), the participle ends in -al (masculine), -ala (feminine), -alo (neuter), and -ali (plural).

2. For regular verbs ending in -iti (like "videti" - to see), the participle ends in -el (masculine), -ela (feminine), -elo (neuter), and -eli (plural).

3. For regular verbs ending in -eti (like "smejati" - to laugh), the participle ends in -el (masculine), -ela (feminine), -elo (neuter), and -eli (plural).

Let's look at some examples of how to form past active participles:

Slovenian Verb Past Active Participle (Masculine) Past Active Participle (Feminine) English Translation
delati (to work) delal delala worked
videti (to see) videl videla saw
smejati (to laugh) smejal smejala laughed
igrati (to play) igral igrala played
govoriti (to speak) govoril govorila spoke

Forming Sentences in the Past Tense[edit | edit source]

Now that we have the structure down, let’s combine the auxiliary verb biti with the past active participles to form complete sentences. Here are some examples:

Slovenian Pronunciation English
Bil sem učitelj. bil sem uːˈtʃeɪtl I was a teacher.
Bila sem srečna. bila sem ˈsreːtʃna I was happy.
Bili smo na morju. bili smo na ˈmɔrju We were at the sea.
Bila ste prijateljice. bila ste priˈjateljitse You (plural) were friends.
Bil je doma. bil je doˈma He was at home.

As you can see, the past tense allows you to share experiences and tell stories effectively.

Examples of Past Tense in Context[edit | edit source]

To help you grasp the past tense better, here are more examples in context:

Slovenian Pronunciation English
Danes sem šel v trgovino. ˈdanɛs sem ʃɛl v trɡoˈvino Today I went to the store.
Včeraj sem videla film. vˈtʃɛːraɪ sem ˈvidɛla ˈfilɛm Yesterday I saw a movie.
Pred dvema tednoma smo potovali. prɛd ˈdvɛma ˈtɛdnoma smo poˈtavali Two weeks ago we traveled.
Lani sem obiskal Ljubljano. ˈlani sem oˈbiskal ljuˈbljano Last year I visited Ljubljana.
V prejšnjem mesecu so imeli zabavo. v ˈprɛiʃnjɛm ˈmɛsɛcu so iˈmɛli zaˈbavo Last month they had a party.

Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises designed to reinforce what you've learned about the past tense in Slovenian.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of biti in the past tense.

1. ___ sem srečen. (I was happy)

2. ___ je doma. (He was at home)

3. ___ ste na počitnicah. (You were on vacation)

Exercise 2: Create Sentences[edit | edit source]

Using the verbs given, create sentences in the past tense.

1. delati (to work)

2. videti (to see)

3. igrati (to play)

Exercise 3: Translate to Slovenian[edit | edit source]

Translate the following sentences into Slovenian.

1. They were friends.

2. I saw a movie yesterday.

3. We traveled to the mountains last year.

Exercise 4: Identify the Past Active Participle[edit | edit source]

Identify the past active participle in the following sentences.

1. Bila sem srečna.

2. Bili smo na morju.

3. Videla sem film.

Exercise 5: Conjugate Biti[edit | edit source]

Conjugate the verb biti in the past tense for the following subjects.

1. I (masculine)

2. She

3. We (feminine)

Exercise 6: Match the Phrases[edit | edit source]

Match the Slovenian phrases with their English translations.

1. Bil sem v šoli.

2. Bila ste srečne.

3. Bili so v restavraciji.

a. They were in the restaurant.

b. You (plural) were happy.

c. I was at school.

Exercise 7: Create a Short Story[edit | edit source]

Write a short story (3-5 sentences) about what you did yesterday using the past tense.

Exercise 8: Correct the Mistakes[edit | edit source]

Find and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

1. Bil je srečna.

2. Bili smo na morje.

3. Bila sem igrali.

Exercise 9: Complete the Table[edit | edit source]

Complete the table with the past active participle forms for the given verbs.

Slovenian Verb Past Active Participle (Masculine) Past Active Participle (Feminine)
pisati (to write) ?? ??
jesti (to eat) ?? ??
piti (to drink) ?? ??

Exercise 10: Rewrite the Sentences[edit | edit source]

Rewrite the following sentences in the past tense.

1. I am happy.

2. We play football.

3. She sees a friend.

Solutions and Explanations[edit | edit source]

After you've completed the exercises, here are the solutions and explanations:

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

1. Bil sem srečen. (I was happy)

2. Bil je doma. (He was at home)

3. Bili ste na počitnicah. (You were on vacation)

Exercise 2: Create Sentences[edit | edit source]

1. Delal sem v pisarni. (I worked in the office.)

2. Videla sem lep film. (I saw a beautiful movie.)

3. Igrali smo nogomet. (We played football.)

Exercise 3: Translate to Slovenian[edit | edit source]

1. Bili so prijatelji. (They were friends.)

2. Včeraj sem videla film. (I saw a movie yesterday.)

3. Potovali smo v gore lani. (We traveled to the mountains last year.)

Exercise 4: Identify the Past Active Participle[edit | edit source]

1. srečna

2. na morju

3. film

Exercise 5: Conjugate Biti[edit | edit source]

1. Bil sem (I was - masculine)

2. Bila je (She was)

3. Bile smo (We were - feminine)

Exercise 6: Match the Phrases[edit | edit source]

1. c (I was at school.)

2. b (You (plural) were happy.)

3. a (They were in the restaurant.)

Exercise 7: Create a Short Story[edit | edit source]

Example response: "Včeraj sem šel v trgovino. Kupil sem kruh in mleko. Potem sem šel domov." (Yesterday I went to the store. I bought bread and milk. Then I went home.)

Exercise 8: Correct the Mistakes[edit | edit source]

1. Bil je srečen. (He was happy.)

2. Bili smo na morju. (We were at the sea.)

3. Bila sem igrala. (I played - feminine.)

Exercise 9: Complete the Table[edit | edit source]

Slovenian Verb Past Active Participle (Masculine) Past Active Participle (Feminine)
pisati (to write) pisal pisala
jesti (to eat) jedel jedla
piti (to drink) pil pila

Exercise 10: Rewrite the Sentences[edit | edit source]

1. Bil sem srečen. (I was happy.)

2. Igrali smo nogomet. (We played football.)

3. Videla je prijatelja. (She saw a friend.)

By now, you should have a firm grasp of how to form and use the past tense in Slovenian. Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep using these structures in your conversations and writing, and soon you’ll be recounting your experiences with ease.

Until next time, keep exploring the beautiful Slovenian language!

Table of Contents - Slovenian Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Greetings and Introductions


Nouns and Pronouns


Numbers and Time


Verbs and Tenses


Food and Drink


Adjectives and Adverbs


Travel and Transportation


Prepositions and Conjunctions


Hobbies and Free Time


Slovenian Customs and Traditions


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



◀️ Present Tense — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Future Tense ▶️

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