Talking About Family in Slovak: Phrases and Vocabulary

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Family is central to Slovak culture, and knowing how to talk about relatives is key to meaningful conversations. Whether you're introducing your parents or asking about someone's siblings, this guide covers the basics.

Immediate Family

Rodina

/ˈrɔdina/

Family

The general term for family, used broadly for relatives.
SlovakEnglish
matkamother
otecfather
sestrasister
bratbrother
dcéradaughter
synson

Extended Family and In-Laws

Slovak distinguishes between maternal and paternal relatives, and in-laws have specific terms. Here are some key words:

  • babička (grandmother)
  • dedko (grandfather)
  • teta (aunt)
  • strýko (uncle)
  • švagor (brother-in-law)
  • švagriná (sister-in-law)
Note: 'strýko' is used for both paternal and maternal uncles, but 'teta' can sometimes be specified as 'stryná' (paternal aunt) or 'ujčiná' (maternal aunt) in some dialects.

Common Phrases for Family Conversations

  1. Mám veľkú rodinu. (I have a big family.)
  2. Koľko súrodencov máš? (How many siblings do you have?)
  3. Moja matka je učiteľka. (My mother is a teacher.)
  4. Bývaš s rodičmi? (Do you live with your parents?)
  5. Mám dve deti. (I have two children.)

For more conversational phrases, check out our guide on Hebrew for Business, which includes formal and informal introductions.

Possessive Forms

In Slovak, possessive pronouns change based on gender and number. Here’s how to say 'my' and 'your' with family members:

EnglishSlovak (masculine)Slovak (feminine)
my fathermôj otecmoja matka
your brothertvoj brattvoja sestra
Tip: The possessive pronoun must match the gender of the noun, not the person. 'Môj' is for masculine nouns, 'moja' for feminine, and 'moje' for neuter.

Cultural Notes

Slovaks often use diminutives for family members, especially children. For example, 'mama' (mum) becomes 'mamička' (mummy), and 'otec' (father) becomes 'tatko' (daddy).

If you're interested in how language reflects culture, our article on Bulgarian superstitions explores similar themes.

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