The handful of Slovenian phrases you'll actually use

Slovenian greetings by time of day

The dictionary files all three greetings under the adjective «dober», good. «Dober dan» is the all-rounder, good day and hello in one, and it’s what I’d use walking into a shop, a guesthouse or a ticket office. Early in the morning you’ll hear «dobro jutro», and from late afternoon «dober večer». In all three the stress falls on the first syllable of «dóber».

Among friends people say «zdravo», stressed on the «a». The SSKJ labels it a greeting between friends and acquaintances, so I’d save it until things feel informal. To say goodbye, «nasvidenje», which you’ll also see written as two words, «na svidenje». It’s the neutral farewell and works anywhere.

Thank you and please in Slovenian

«Hvala» is thank you, stressed on the second syllable (hvála). For something warmer, «hvala lepa». The fun part is the reply, because the Slovenian «you’re welcome» is «prosim», the same word as please. The dictionary lists both uses, plus a third, «prosim?», to ask someone to repeat what they said.

So with one word you order at the bar («prosim dve kavi», two coffees please, is the dictionary’s own example), answer when someone thanks you, and get yourself out of a moment when you’ve missed what was said. To me it’s the best-value word in the language.

Sorry, prices and phrases for eating out

«Oprostite» is excuse me or sorry, the polite form of the verb «oprostiti». The SSKJ gives an example you can use as it stands, «oprostite, koliko je ura», excuse me, what time is it. To ask a price, «koliko stane?», how much is it, which is exactly the example sentence under «stati». It comes in handy at the market and in souvenir shops, and I’ve listed the best of them in what to buy in Slovenia.

Before a meal someone will wish you «dober tek», enjoy your meal, and the answer is «hvala, enako», thanks, you too. The dictionary records the whole exchange under «hvala». If you want to know what will be on the plate when you hear it, see Slovenian food.

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How to say cheers in Slovenian

«Na zdravje» means to health. The SSKJ describes drinking «na zdravje» as wishing someone health and luck with a light clink of glasses. It’s what you’ll hear at every tasting, and in a country with three wine regions that’s no small thing. The regions and their wines are in Slovenian wine.

Pronouncing Slovenian without fear

The Slovenian government notes that the alphabet has 25 letters for 29 sounds, so not everything reads the way it looks. The letters with the little inverted hat matter most. My rough guide for an English speaker is that «č» sounds like the «ch» in church, «š» like the «sh» in ship and «ž» like the «s» in measure. With that, Škofja Loka or Vršič stop looking like tongue-twisters. I’ve left the stressed syllable of each phrase in the table exactly as the dictionary marks it, because getting the stress right helps more than nailing every sound.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Ljubljana on GetYourGuide.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Ljubljana for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.