Language/Slovak/Vocabulary/Introductions
As a Slovak language teacher with over 20 years of experience, I am excited to take you on the journey to learn the beautiful language of Slovakia. In this lesson, we will focus on greetings and introductions in Slovak. These basics will help you start conversations with the locals and make your trip to Slovakia an unforgettable experience.
Greetings
Before we dive into introductions, we need to learn how to greet people in Slovak. Here are some basic greetings:
| Slovak | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Dobrý deň | DOH-bree dehn | Good day |
| Ahoj | AH-hoy | Hi / Bye (informal) |
| Zdravím vás | ZDRAH-veem vahsh | Greetings |
These common expressions will help you start a conversation with a local Slovak person. Be aware that the Slovak language has formal and informal ways of speaking, so you need to choose the right option depending on the context and the person you are talking to.
Introductions
Now that you know the basic Slovak greetings, it's time to learn how to introduce yourself and ask someone else's name. Here are some useful phrases:
- To introduce yourself:
- Ja som... (YAH sohm...) - I am...
- Volám sa... (VOH-lahm sah...) - My name is...
- Potešenie (pohteh-SYEH-nyeh) - Nice to meet you
- To ask someone else's name:
- Ako sa voláš? (AH-koh sah VOH-lahsh?) - What is your name?
- Ako sa voláte? (AH-koh sah VOH-lah-teh?) - What is your name? (formal)
Here is an example dialogue:
- (Informal)
- Person 1: Ahoj! Ja som Lucia. (AH-hoy! YAH sohm LOO-tsya) - Hi! I am Lucia.
- Person 2: Potešenie, ja som Peter. (pohteh-SYEH-nyeh, yah sohm PEH-tehr) - Nice to meet you, I am Peter.
- Person 1: Ako sa voláš? (AH-koh sah VOH-lahsh?) - What is your name?
- Person 2: Volám sa Peter. (VOH-lahm sah PEH-tehr) - My name is Peter.
- (Formal)
- Person 1: Dobrý deň. Ja som pani Nováková. (DOH-bree dehn. YAH sohm Pah-nee No-VAA-koh-vah) - Good day. I am Mrs. Novakova.
- Person 2: Dobrý deň. Potešenie, ja som pán Kováč. (DOH-bree dehn. pohteh-SYEH-nyeh, yah sohm pahn koh-VAACH) - Good day. Nice to meet you, I am Mr. Kovac.
- Person 1: Ako sa voláte? (AH-koh sah VOH-lah-teh?) - What is your name?
- Person 2: Volám sa Kováč. (VOH-lahm sah koh-VAACH) - My name is Kovac.
Remember that Slovak grammar has gender-based word endings, so when introducing yourself or asking someone's name, you should use the appropriate gender ending. For example, if you are a woman, you should say "Ja som Lucia" and not "Ja som Luc". The same goes for asking someone their name.
Tips for Practicing
To practice your Slovak greetings and introductions, try the following:
- With a friend or a language exchange partner, practice introducing yourself and asking someone else's name.
- Watch Slovak movies or TV series and pay attention to how characters greet each other.
- Practice speaking Slovak when ordering food or drinks in Slovak restaurants or cafes.
Remember that practice makes perfect, and the more you immerse yourself in Slovak language and culture, the easier it will be to become fluent.
Related Lessons
- Days of the Week and Months of the Year
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Daily Routine
- Airport
- Count to 10
- Colors
- Family
- Health
- Time Periods