Slovak Phrases for Travel

Words

10

Where

Everywhere

Level

Easy

How do you say hello in Slovak? The everyday, friendly word is Ahoj (AH-hoy), and you use the same word to say bye. In shops, hotels and restaurants, the polite greeting is Dobrý deň (DOH-bree dyen), literally "good day". Younger people often just say Čau (chow).

In the Slovak language, good morning is Dobré ráno, good evening Dobrý večer, and good night Dobrú noc. To ask how are you, say Ako sa máš? to a friend and Ako sa máte? to someone you do not know. Ďakujem, dobre means fine, thank you. The polite goodbye is Dovidenia.

Words

9

Where

Everywhere

Level

Easy

Thank you in Slovak is Ďakujem (DYAH-koo-yem); thank you very much is Ďakujem pekne. The Ď at the start is a soft "dy" sound. Prosím (PRO-seem) means both please and here you go, and you will hear it when someone hands you something. You're welcome is Nie je za čo, "it's nothing".

Yes is Áno, no is Nie (nyeh). To get someone's attention or say sorry, use Prepáčte. If you do not understand, say Nerozumiem, and to ask whether someone speaks English, Hovoríte po anglicky?

Words

12

Where

Prices, times, platforms

Level

Medium

Slovak numbers from 1 to 10: jeden (YEH-den), dva, tri, štyri (SHTEE-ree), päť (pet), šesť (shest), sedem, osem, deväť (DEH-vet), desať (DEH-saht). Two becomes dve with feminine and neuter words: dve kávy, two coffees.

100 is sto and 1000 tisíc (TEE-seets). Prices are in euros, so you will hear numbers most at the till: päť eur, five euros.

Words

6

Where

Signs, menus, maps

Level

Medium

Slovak is read the way it is written, and once you know a handful of letters it stops looking scary. č sounds like English ch, š like sh and ž like the s in pleasure. c is always ts, so ulica (street) is "OO-lee-tsah". An accent mark (á, í, ú, é) makes the vowel long; ä is usually said like e, and ô like "wo". ľ, ď, ť and ň are soft, a bit like ly, dy, ty and ny, and ch is the throaty sound in Scottish loch.

With these rules, the names on the map make sense. A few you will hear often in Bratislava:

Words

12

Where

Restaurant, café

Level

Easy

Ask for the menu with Jedálny lístok, prosím. To order, put the dish after Dám si … (dahm see): Dám si guláš, I'll have the goulash. For the bill, say Účet, prosím (OO-chet, PRO-seem), and to pay by card, ask Môžem platiť kartou? When the food arrives you will hear Dobrú chuť, enjoy your meal.

The national dish is bryndzové halušky, small potato dumplings with sheep cheese, usually topped with crispy bacon (slanina).

In Bratislava we went to Slovak Pub and ordered cesnaková polievka, the garlic soup, a goulash, a mixed plate of traditional dishes and their dark beer. Honestly, apart from the goulash and the beer we did not love Slovak food, but give it a try yourself (from our video, 31:34).

Watch in the video · 31:34 

Words

11

Where

Tram, bus, street

Level

Easy

A ticket is a lístok (LEES-tok), a stop is a zastávka and a tram is an električka; the bus is simply autobus. Coming by train? The main station is hlavná stanica, the airport letisko and a train vlak.

To ask the way, Kde je …? (gdeh yeh) is all you need: Kde je hlavná stanica?, where is the main station? In the answer, vľavo is left, vpravo right and rovno straight on.

Words

6

Where

Hotel, shop

Level

Easy

To ask a price, say Koľko to stojí? (KOL-koh toh STOH-yee). At hotel reception, Mám rezerváciu (I have a reservation) and your name is enough. Breakfast is raňajky; expensive is drahé, cheap lacné, and the till is the pokladňa.

Slovakia uses the euro, so there is no currency to convert if you arrive from Vienna (official information, October 2026 ).

Away from the hotel Wi-Fi you need data for maps and translation apps; an eSIM can be installed on your phone before you leave. See Yesim eSIM plans  Ad How it works is explained in our eSIM guide .

Words

6

Where

Emergency

Level

Easy

In an emergency, Pomoc! (POH-mots) means help. If you need a doctor, say Potrebujem lekára. A pharmacy is a lekáreň, a hospital a nemocnica and the police polícia. To call an ambulance, Zavolajte záchranku. The European emergency number 112 works in Slovakia too (official information, October 2026 ).

Words

2

Where

Bar, dinner table

Level

Easy

How do you say cheers in Slovak? Raise your glass and say Na zdravie! (nah ZDRAH-vyeh), "to health". It is also what Slovaks say when someone sneezes, like "bless you".

And for the romantic side of the trip: in the Slovak language, I love you is Ľúbim ťa (LYOO-beem tyah).