15 Slovak Colloquial Words and Phrases You Won't Find in a Textbook

[@thomasdula8749]

Would you say that "neni" in Slovak is like "ain't" in English?

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Wow, thanks for pointing it out! I haven't thought of that before, but it makes a lot of sense, yes!

[@Schule_fürKinder5011]

I would not agree, for ain't replaces anything while neni works only together with the conjugated to be forms. It is just like "not" in english and "nicht" in german

[@mikesto]

@@Schule_fürKinder5011 You are correct that "ain't" is somewhat more flexibile than "neni" however, I think that Thomas Dula is correct to point out their similarity. Neni is very similar to ain't. Ain't is very substandard in English. Use of ain't will signify to many people that the speaker is either poorly educated, or has low social status or (more likely) both.

[@sitzpredsedafunt8544]

It's from czech "není".

[@eoinlucas5058]

this is one of the best videos yet, i am irish and am living in Slovakia , struggling to learn, It it would be great to hear from you. @@LearnSlovakwithStories

[@Ser_Pounce-a-lot]

We have the same situation with "no" in Polish. :) Ďakujem pekne za túto lekciu!

[@Ser_Pounce-a-lot]

Oh and I'm definitely interested in part two!

[@davidhutber7530]

Just wanted to say thank you so much for these videos and please keep making them. I used to live in Košice from when I was 8 until I was 11 and I picked up some Slovakian during my time there, but I had completely forgotten it all. Your videos are really helping to bring it back though so many thanks again, they are brilliant.

[@PugacsovJemeljan]

Thank you for your very clear presentation. Lovely.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

You are very welcome

[@bamereg]

This explains so many things I was wondering about :') I am very much interested in a part two, and I applaud you for doing this video. After all language is a live thing, isn't it :)

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

That's great! :D

[@blogbuddy1101]

Pekné videjko ako vždycky :) A mám zaújem samozrejme aj o časť druhú. Ďíky :)

[@danilanikolaev7049]

no ja som clovek, ktory prisiel z Ruska na Slovensko a viem ye tieto slovicka su velmi tu popularne. neucil sa som ich s mojej tutorkou ale teraz viem ich definiciu. dikyyy moc, ste zlata

[@davidmount4808]

Please, please, please make a part two. I've been living in Slovakia for four years and only know the very basics. I must learn quicker for my work. Great videos by the way.

[@miquelsalvador]

I definitely feel like to watch a second, third and even a fourth part of this! Thanks Paulina.

[@emynithilien]

I would definitely love to see a part 2 (or however many parts you'd like to make)! Certainly we're all here to increase our comprehension of standar Slovak, but shorter/dimutive/more slang-y expressions are all over the place and great to learn as well.

[@gregcron4899]

Agreed , it is essential to learn slang and shortcuts used by native speakers.

[@belovedmiriam]

"neni" would not work conjugated everywhere in Slovakia. In the east we only use it for the 3rd person Sg. And I would say it is something like "ain't"

[@finishinstall]

To bolo fakt veľmi užitočné. Díky. Dneska som sa moc naučil.

[@kylemichelsen2914]

Thank you! Your delivery and style is very easy to follow and understand.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Thank you!

[@wisdomnyasembi1823]

I studied in Kosice many years ago. I find your channel very helpful in revising my Slovak.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Amazing!

[@subashrajendran7171]

Ja som učil slovenská jazyk z vaše videí. Všetko je veľmi zaujímavé

[@pigrulo3364]

Dobré video a užitočné slová, býval som na Slovensku a často som počul všetky tie výrazy.

[@greenbrush5687]

This was very informative. Thanks very much! It would be great to see a part 2!

[@ronaldsimurdiak4612]

Part 2 or 3 (or even more ) would be most welcome!! Love all your videos Paulina!

[@ricardoayrosa8058]

Thanks, Paulina, great video! Not only part 2, but also 3, and as many as possible!

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Haha, there's a lot of such expressions, so definitely enough material for more than 2 parts :D

[@proudHughesfan]

Amazing video. Subbed. You explain our beautiful language to foreigners almost perfectly! Loving it. Will binge watch your videos in coming days. You touched on as much as you could, I'd just love to add an even shorter version of "nech sa páči", or "páči sa". And that would be "na" :D Although one could argue it's bordering on rude version of "here you are".

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Oh yes, "na" is an interesting inclusion, thanks! But I agree that it's a separate word, not a short form of nech sa páči.

[@АлексейМихеев-к5в]

Ako vždy veľmi zaujímavé! Ďakujem!

[@kikikeh]

Momentálne sa učím slovenský jazyk. Toto je prvý kanál, ktorý som začal sledovať a zatiaľ je naozaj dobrý. Všetko úžasne dobre vysvetľuješ. Len tak ďalej.

[@marcinszostek675]

I haven't heard a few yet. I loved Slovak people saying 'hej!' all the time. In Poland we actually use 'no' instead of yes, the Slovak and Czechs I met used 'no' exclusively as a filler or as a word 'but' (like in sentence "No, nevie kam má isť.") and they were 'irritated' that Poles use 'no!' instead of 'hej'. Other expresions I heard a lot were 'Parada!', 'Fakt!'. Calling someone 'Lasko!' sounds also lovely. Now we're waiting for Slovak swear words.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Great examples. I'm surprised that Slovak people would be irritated at the use of 'no' as 'yes' though.

[@marcinszostek675]

@@LearnSlovakwithStories Yes, irritated was quite too big word.

[@AnChi18]

its a coincidence that today i told my husband I didnt quite understand why people here say "pači sa" a lot, coz literally it means to me "it likes", and now your video answered me. Tomoro I will be confident to say paci sa to anyone lols. Talking about the informal or spoken Slovak, I can give you my own example. I learned from the textbook that the waiter asks if we wanna pay "osobitne alebo spolu", in real life what they asked me was "zvlast alebo spolu", my slovak friend had responded on my behalf :D

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Good timing! :D Yes: zvlášť = osobitne = oddelene... So many ways to say exactly the same thing!

[@stefanlanger264]

Ahoj Paulína. Díky sa video. Dneska som sa naučil moc nových slov. Video bol moc zaujímavé. "Pápá" je pre mňa skvelé slovo, lebo v Rakúsku a najmä vo Viedni hovoríme "baba". :-) No, dúfam, že bude aj druhý diel. Krásny týždeň, čau!

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Ó, zaujímavé, to som nevedela. V slovenčine existuje slovo "baba" ako slangové slovo pre "dievča" - poviem o tom viac v druhej časti ;)

[@stefanlanger264]

@@LearnSlovakwithStories Ďakujem za informácie, je to veľmi zaujímavé, to som nevedel. ;-) Teším sa na druhý diel!

[@ladahealer]

Thank you so much! This is a great video! Can you please make part 2?

[@hannakashkaryova]

Thanks a lot for this very useful video! 👍👍🙏

[@galinakuzmychova3372]

Ďakujem pekne! Čakam na druhu čast😊

[@OSaKaDjTung]

Your video is very interesting and meaningful … thank you very much … god blees you !

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Thank you very much!

[@karolinastoklosa6416]

Ďakujem. It was very good and inspiring topic. I am waiting for more😊

[@ОлександрБідненко-м6ъ]

Hello, I am from Ukraine. My name is Larysa. It is so cool to practice English and Slovak with you tougher!

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Great! :)

[@ehodfi6037]

I agree. There are no "correct words". If a Slovak uses these expressions, they are valid

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Exactly!

[@caffeinalamattina]

In love with your videos! 🥰

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Glad you like them!

[@ehodfi6037]

Excellent video. I heard the use of just "paci" in the main station of Bratislava. The place where they sell baked goods. The saleswoman was so busy, she just used that form. Yes, please do a part 2.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Great example 😊

[@franksanchezmusicals8]

I love all of your videos! I was wondering if you could do a video explaining endearment endings (not sure what to call them). For example, my boyfriend's aunt is Eva but most of the time we call her Evka. He had mentioned it was something like an endearment but had difficulty explaining it.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

That's a good idea, thanks. If you want, you can look up the keyword "diminutive", that's what it's called.

[@kirilshatskikh2557]

Great as always!

[@hakanbayrak2002]

It is an interesting topic. :) I look forward to the second part. Thank you for your educational videos and I am sure many people think the same.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Thanks!

[@andreishvets6485]

Díky, určite mám veľký zaújem o druhú čas (:

[@kodlyoko]

"only in Slovak no means yes" actually in Polish too

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Yes, of course. I was trying to make a joke/reference to consent culture (with "no" in its English meaning). But it's valid for Polish too :)

[@mrfranzose]

This is true for Russian as well :) I suppose that "no" for us is kinda obsolete. You may hear it from a horse rider: "noooooo!" meaning "come on!". In other cases we use "nu" (or "nou") instead of "no".

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

@@mrfranzose yes, I think "nu" is a great translation for the second meaning

[@texluh]

Of course we'd like a part 2! Are you serious?? :) I believe when I've been out to Morocco and picked up Arabic it was mostly the slang versions of the words I picked up. Anyway, this is perfect, bring on more parts...

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Great!

[@kazmerkiss2567]

Dear Paulina, Your channel is awesome! I am Hungarian, living in Hungary, but I have Slovak ancestors . :) So I can speak some Slovak, but I'd like to make it even better. Well, about áno ---> no..... When I speak in Slovak, it is not confusing for me as I heard it in Slovak and Czech movies. But there is a Hungarian minority in Slovakia, and they have a very interesting use of "no".... They use the short form "no" even when speaking in Hungarian in the meaning of "yes" or a filler word. At first it was confusing for me, as I thought my speaking partner said in the meaning "disagreement". I have a question... I am not very familiar with Czech language. I never speak in Czech, but I understand some. Better to say what I understand in Slovak, I understand the same text even in Czech. I recognize Czech words, but can't use them..... As far as I remember "neni" is Czech, but in Czech it is normal. The other example: diky, or diky moc..... They are from Czech langauge, aren't they? But I think the connection between Czech and Slovak is normal. :) I experienced several times, that I speak, or write in Slovak, but my Czech friends respond in Czech. So I thnik there can words with Czech origin even in Slovak language, or words with Slovak origin in Czech. However, there can be small problems that a language learner faces. Such as.... in hotels. When I say raňajky....... most of the hotel staff members understan in Czech Republic understand it. But sometimes very young guys don't. Paulina, I know you teach Slovak, and it is great. Can you provide even a short guidance for Slovak languages learners what kind of difficulties can meet in Czechia? :) Mostly there is no any problem. But there can be.... :) Thanks, KK PS I wrote in English, because this video was in English. :)

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Thank you for sharing, it's interesting to know that no is used also in Hungarian! Well done for noticing that a lot of the "incorrect" words in Slovak are actually words from Czech. This is super common. If you look up "čechizmy/bohemizmy v slovenčine", you will find a lot of lists of such words.

[@kazmerkiss2567]

@@LearnSlovakwithStories "No" is used in Hungarian by Hungarian minority in Slovakia. However, it's interesting. When I speak in Hungarian with ppl living in Slovakia, I recognize the influence of "Slovenčina". They use sometimes Slovak words even in Hungarian speech. Such is in Bratislava ..... they always say "tunel" and not "alagút". Firstly, I understood it only on based on English word "tunnel". But one of my friends who is Slovak told me, he realized similar thing when he spoke with ppl belonging to the Slovakian minority in Hungary. Anyway, I am living 200 meters far from Škola s vyučovacím jazýkom slovenským v Budapešti. :)

[@ktjankabar]

Having been to Slovakia many times I have heard (and used) these words often. Didn’t know some of them weren’t “correct” because I just learn by hearing people speak.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

that makes total sense

[@ivetbitt]

Ahoj, je super, že robíš aj také videá ako je toto, ja sa rada učím cudzie jazyky a chýbajú mi také videá, ktoré by presne a jasne uvádzali ako komunikovať v bežnom živote. Nielen ako to má byť správne ale aj to ako to ľudia bežne používajú napriek tomu, že sú to nesprávne a slangové slová. Jedine tak budú cudzinci znieť ako domáci, keď budú používať jazyk tak ako domáci, aj keď nie úplne správne.

[@Sarifm92]

veľmi zaujímavé! 😊

[@atiehizadpanahi5818]

It was perfect and also useful

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Great, thanks!

[@DOMI-SK]

Nice - thanks for all

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Thanks!

[@a.n.1201]

Great video. Just want to add that in polish "no" means "yes" too. Dakujem ;)

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Thanks for that!

[@djess2471]

Papa is used in Poland as well

[@michalisakov3566]

Hej hej, dík za video :D

[@brumtelesbrumteles1790]

Zamálenko.

[@AAAA-hi6gi]

Moc zaujímavé, ďíky! Vyhodzaje to tak, že niektorý bežný češski slovíčka majú v slovenčine slangovú odtieň, napríklad: vždycky a moc? P.S.V vychodnoj Sibirí existuje trochu podobná forma slovíčka "no", totiž "áno". A rovnako hovoria niekomu príbuznému "Moja", "Môj". A namiesto ruského что vyslovujú čo- чё.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Áno, presne. Môžeš si vyhľadať "čechizmy/bohemizmy v slovenčine" a nájdeš veľa zoznamov takých slov, ktoré sú po slovensky "nesprávne", ale ľudia ich používajú v hovorovej reči.

[@AAAA-hi6gi]

​@@LearnSlovakwithStories ďiky! pozrela som a je to super! Kľud, rameno a blbec sú to naozaj prekvapujúco! Ako aj veľa ďalších

[@Bobojsza84]

Dear Paulina! Please make a video of the casuative method ín slovak language. Casuative method is a grammatical form like "have something done/get something done" in the English.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Thanks for the idea.

[@Schule_fürKinder5011]

You should definitely write a slovak kurz book with videos like you do. There is no learning book, not even close as good as your vids!! Thank you so much for your input, and I guess mine is not that new to you, is it? Keep up the great work!

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Not really a course book, but I'm planning to release some reading materials I created - when I have the capacity. Sorry, I'm not sure what you're referring to about yours not being that new to me.

[@Schule_fürKinder5011]

@@LearnSlovakwithStories Glad to hear!!! Bravo! 👍 I meant my wish and advice that you should publish a Course book most certainly had already crossed your mind… :-)

[@balintkoller]

Yes please for Part 2 ;)

[@pushinskiy70]

0:11 ano ano when kinda some article seems fully understandable but people in comments speak almost in different language. 🙂 dík za video

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Exactly!

[@АнастасияЗабытивская]

You best 👍

[@Suelygaa]

I'll look for part 2. :)

[@edelweiss5845]

Great topic!!

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Glad you like it!

[@oleg6517]

I also faced with some informal expressions influenced by Austria culture. They say something like - savas, serus. Woukd very interesting to know more expressions and not to wonder much, be ready to react properly when hear something like this.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Yes! Sevas, servus... there's so many ways to do greetings. Thanks for sharing!

[@stefanlanger264]

The greeting is "servus", or in (substandard) Viennese dialect "servas". When I talk to other local people in Viennese dialect even some Germans might end up not understanding anything. ;-)

[@jakethesnake95]

Could "nič moc" be translated as "not that great"? Díky!

[@stefbons]

díky

[@slowczech]

Jak tě můžeme kontaktovat? :)

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Je na mňa mail v sekcii 'about' (ale možno musíš ísť z počítača, nie z mobilu)

[@gregcron4899]

This Xmas I learned a slang , “papat”, which means jesť. Some people in Slovakia speak Czech, which can also cause a lot of confusion for beginners such as myself, as the two languages are similar.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Good points! You're right about Czech - also like half of what's on Slovak TV is in Czech, and as you say, beginners often don't even notice that what they're listening to is not Slovak. Papať is definitely on my list :)

[@dar322sk]

Díki. Veľmi zaujímavé. Can you tell me if the n's in "neni" are pronounced hard or soft? I believe I heard "ne" pronounced as a hard n, but I could not tell with "neni."

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

I pronounce it soft in není and hard in ne, but I think it depends on the person/region.

[@dar322sk]

@@LearnSlovakwithStories Díki. One more question -- So it is "není" with a long í ?

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

@@dar322sk My phone likes to spell it with long í (which is ironic because famously Slovak people don't use diacritics in text messages). In the dictionary it's spelled with short i. I think the actual pronunciation can be either long or short. The Czech word is spelled with long í.

[@dar322sk]

@@LearnSlovakwithStories Ah ha -- Díki!

[@andrasvincze6894]

I like sleng words, so please bring some more. They are an important part of the language. My favorite Slovak word is "kotiogo" (I am not sure I write it properly), which is an adoption of the Hungarian kotyogó and means the same thing. On the other hand we have the word "boszorka", an adoption from the Slovak bosorka and means the same thing.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Thanks for pointing it out! It's spelled koťogo or sometimes koťogó, it was really cool to learn about the origin of the word :)

[@andrasvincze6894]

@@LearnSlovakwithStories The word "kotyog" is actually a verb in third person singular form. It replicates the typical noise that the "kot'iogo" makes when the coffee starts to flow from the lower to the upper part. "kotyogo" is that device that makes that sound.

[@brumtelesbrumteles1790]

O really? I, as native slovak speaker, was always curious about this word. Sounds nice and funny. Thanks.

[@isabellagargiulo8531]

Grest! I am waiting fór mor videos! What About východ Slovakian dialects? I watch Kavey on KZbin and evwn though I understand a 10x100 of it I Love it!! D akujem Paulina! W Slovenčina, pekný a elegantný jazik!

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

I have to admit I'm not an expert on Eastern dialects, unfortunately

[@isabellagargiulo8531]

I am waiting fór párt two

[@claudevict]

Dobrý večer🇸🇰

[@Craftyboy1234]

Si super moje deti 5 & 8 ročne ta majú radi , učia sa Slovenky takto dosť mi to pomáha počúvali aj niekoho iného po slovensky ako mna. Ďakujeme. Ak môžeš urbit aj o Spoderman a Batman niečo pre chlapcov môj syn bude rad 😅

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Vďaka za tip!

[@isabellagargiulo8531]

Hi Paulina, watching slovak TV I heard a word that sounds Like 'ceus' used as a greeting. Is it spelt correctly? What does it mean? Thatnk you very múch!

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

I think it might be "servus"? It was mentioned in some other comments here, have a look through the comments if you want. It is an informal greeting.

[@parmgohal8089]

very helpful

[@maciek697788]

Paulino, nie tylko w słowackim "no" znaczy "tak/ano", w polskim potocznym też :) a propos "nic moc" po polsku mamy taką frazę "tak sobie/taki sobie/takie sobie"

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Áno, v slovenčine, v češtine, v poľštine...

[@maciek697788]

@@LearnSlovakwithStories Tylko Anglicy mają z tym problem :D

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

@@maciek697788 aj ľudia z Talianska, z Francúzska, zo Španielska atď

[@dato194]

Wich book you advise me to start learn slovak,

[@colonellKurtz]

6:30 Dear Paulinka , You forget about Polish , we also occupy NO as Yes :)

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Yes, I know: Slovak, Czech, Polish... I was just trying to reference the English expression "no means no". Also please don't call me Paulinka.

[@finishinstall]

Ešte som nevidel video, ale píšem kommentár, lebo sa mi táto téma veľmi páči.

[@igasawicka9712]

"No" also means yes in Polish, informally

[@brumtelesbrumteles1790]

Tak, tak.

[@igasawicka9712]

"no" also means yes in Polish "yes" or "so"

[@SanjeetKarki-888]

❤❤

[@haivukhac2818]

diky Paulina

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Vďačne!

[@bamereg]

Wait... did you change the name of the channel?

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

I did! The previous name was not memorable or even comprehensible, it was about time to change it.

[@Muftiladi]

Pouzivas aj "servus" ako "ahoj"?

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

áno, servus = ahoj

[@romandrig372]

diky

[@wcerny1874]

Ahojte,новое название канала?☹️

[@hcaos]

wiedzialem, ze polaczki beda musialy skomentowac, ze u nich tez tak jest z tym 'no' :D

[@andreahunter7281]

I think that the English equivalent of "neni" is "ain't". It is bad grammar but it is very commonly used.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Yeah, I haven't thought of it when I made the video but it makes a lot of sense, both have a similar stigma attached to them for being "bad grammar"

[@kanmalai7078]

Good evening, Teacher som nový tu

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Vitaj!

[@douglasfneves]

Part 2! Part 2!

[@ziemniorek6123]

6:32 In Polish too 😅

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Yes!

[@ehodfi6037]

I heard "hej" from a Slovak woman her in NJ. I didn't get it right away.

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

Makes sense. Well, now you know it :)

[@afshina8456]

Mam zaujem.

[@nurotn]

Nehovorte neni, neni to pekné. :)

[@LearnSlovakwithStories]

:D

[@elitokracja3086]

To "neni" i twarde "ne" - to zdaje mi się zupełnie jak po czesku... I to pewnie stamtąd przyszło. 🙄

[@marianasufliarska6367]

Vasej anglictine rozumiem tak 90%, ale britom mam problem rozumieť

[@zabarwan917]

Ahaaa

[@igasawicka9712]

"nič moc" myslím, že po poľsky "nie bardzo"

[@abc-jf9xl]

tak, máš pravdu: "nie za bardzo", "nie za wiele", "nic specjalnego", ako popretie slova "moc"

[@isabellagargiulo8531]

Nárečový a slangový slovník online Here Is a good site with lots of slang words in Slovak. ❤️ Slovakia ja t´a ľúbim!