Greetings are your first impression in any language. Nail these, and you’ll instantly connect better in Slovenia.
Basic Slovenian Greetings
- Živjo – The Slovenian 'Hi'. Casual, friendly, works anytime.
- Dober dan – 'Good day'. Formal default for shops, strangers, or elders.
- Zdravo – 'Hello'. Neutral, slightly less casual than 'Živjo'.
Pozdravljeni
/pɔˈzdraʊ̯ljɛni/“Greetings”
Very formal greeting, like 'Greetings'. Used in speeches or written correspondence.
Time-Specific Greetings
| Slovenian | English | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Dobro jutro | Good morning | Until ~10am |
| Dober večer | Good evening | After ~6pm |
| Lahko noč | Good night | Before bed |
Slovenians switch to 'Dober dan' by late morning. Don’t say 'Dobro jutro' past 10am – it sounds odd.
Slang & Regional Variations
In Ljubljana, you might hear Servus (from German) or Čao (from Italian). Younger crowds use these casually.
In Prekmurje, Bok (from Croatian) is common. Locals appreciate the effort if you try it.
Goodbyes
- Nasvidenje – Formal 'Goodbye'
- Adijo – Casual, from Italian 'Addio'
- Lep pozdrav – 'Kind regards'. Polite for emails or parting.
For more unique Slovenian words, see our guide to untranslatable Slovenian terms.
Pronunciation Tips
- Stress usually falls on the second syllable: DO-ber dan
- 'j' sounds like 'y' in 'yes': Živjo = ZHEE-vyo
- 'č' is 'ch' as in 'church': Čao = CHOW
Slovenians won’t correct your pronunciation, but nailing these sounds earns instant respect.
When in Doubt...
Stick to Dober dan by day and Živjo with friends. Smile – Slovenians value effort over perfection.
