Slovak might not be the easiest language to learn, but a few well-chosen phrases can transform your trip. Whether you're navigating Bratislava's streets or hiking in the High Tatras, these 20 phrases will help you connect with locals and handle everyday situations.
Greetings & Basics
- Dobrý deň (doh-bree dyen) - The standard greeting meaning 'Good day'
- Ahoj (ah-hoy) - Informal 'hello' or 'hi' (used with friends)
- Ďakujem (dya-koo-yem) - 'Thank you' (add 'veľmi' for 'thank you very much')
- Prosím (pro-seem) - Both 'please' and 'you're welcome'
- Prepáčte (preh-paach-teh) - Formal 'excuse me' or 'sorry'
Getting Around
- Kde je...? (kdeh yeh) - 'Where is...?' (follow with toilet - 'WC', station - 'stanica', etc)
- Koľko to stojí? (kol-ko to stoyee) - 'How much does it cost?'
- Hovoríte po anglicky? (hoh-voh-ree-teh po an-glit-skee) - 'Do you speak English?'
- Nerozumiem (neh-roh-zoo-myem) - 'I don't understand'
- Potrebujem pomoc (poh-treh-boo-yem poh-mots) - 'I need help'
Food & Drink
- Pivo, prosím (pee-vo pro-seem) - 'Beer, please' (you'll use this often)
- Čo odporúčate? (cho od-poh-roo-cha-teh) - 'What do you recommend?'
- Účet, prosím (oo-chet pro-seem) - 'The bill, please'
- Som vegetarián/vegetariánka (som veh-geh-tar-yan/veh-geh-tar-yan-ka) - 'I'm vegetarian' (male/female forms)
- Na zdravie! (na zdrah-vee-eh) - 'Cheers!' (literally 'To health!')
Socialising
- Ako sa máte? (ah-ko sa maa-teh) - Formal 'How are you?'
- Ako sa máš? (ah-ko sa maash) - Informal 'How are you?'
- Dovidenia (doh-vee-deh-nya) - 'Goodbye'
- Máte pekné mesto (maa-teh pek-neh mes-to) - 'You have a beautiful city' (locals love hearing this)
- Rozprávate pomaly, prosím (roz-praa-va-teh po-mah-lee pro-seem) - 'Please speak slowly'
Slovaks appreciate when visitors attempt their language, even with mistakes. Don't worry about perfect pronunciation - trying goes a long way!
Want to go beyond phrases? Check out our guide on how to make Slovak friends as a language learner.
