Bedeutung
Used to apologize or get someone's attention politely.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Slovaks value formal address. Using 'Prepáčte' with an older person is not just polite; it is a sign of good upbringing (slušná výchova). In the capital, 'Pardon' is very common due to historical Austro-Hungarian and French influences. It's slightly more 'chic' and faster. In villages, people are often more traditional. A full 'Prepáčte, prosím vás' is highly respected and will likely get you a warmer response. Younger generations are increasingly using 'Sory' or 'Pardon' even in semi-formal settings, but 'Prepáčte' remains the standard for authority figures.
The 'Prosím' Combo
For maximum politeness, say 'Prepáčte, prosím vás...' before your question.
Don't over-apologize
Slovaks are direct. Say it once, mean it, and move on. Over-apologizing can seem suspicious.
Bedeutung
Used to apologize or get someone's attention politely.
The 'Prosím' Combo
For maximum politeness, say 'Prepáčte, prosím vás...' before your question.
Don't over-apologize
Slovaks are direct. Say it once, mean it, and move on. Over-apologizing can seem suspicious.
The Intonation Matter
Keep your pitch rising at the end if asking a question, and falling if apologizing for a bump.
Eye Contact
A small nod of the head while saying 'Prepáčte' goes a long way in showing sincerity.
Teste dich selbst
You are at the post office and want to ask the clerk a question. Which one do you use?
________, kde môžem kúpiť známky?
The post office is a formal setting with a stranger, so the 'Vykanie' form 'Prepáčte' is required.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition.
Prepáčte ____ meškanie.
In Slovak, you apologize 'za' (for) something using the accusative case.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. Prepáčte, vystupujete? | 2. Prepáč, že som ti nezavolal. | 3. S dovolením!
Prepáčte is formal/bus; Prepáč is informal/friend; S dovolením is for physical passage.
Fill in the missing word in this dialogue.
A: ________, neviete kde je hotel Tatra? B: Áno, choďte rovno a potom doprava.
This is a classic 'attention-getter' usage with a stranger.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to say Prepáčte
Public
- • Shops
- • Buses
- • Streets
Formal
- • Office
- • Doctor
- • Bank
Mistakes
- • Bumping
- • Lateness
- • Spills
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben________, kde môžem kúpiť známky?
The post office is a formal setting with a stranger, so the 'Vykanie' form 'Prepáčte' is required.
Prepáčte ____ meškanie.
In Slovak, you apologize 'za' (for) something using the accusative case.
1. Prepáčte, vystupujete? | 2. Prepáč, že som ti nezavolal. | 3. S dovolením!
Prepáčte is formal/bus; Prepáč is informal/friend; S dovolením is for physical passage.
A: ________, neviete kde je hotel Tatra? B: Áno, choďte rovno a potom doprava.
This is a classic 'attention-getter' usage with a stranger.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, that would be very inappropriate. Use 'Úprimnú sústrasť'.
In big cities for quick bumps, yes. But 'Prepáčte' is better for starting a conversation.
'Prepáčte' is an imperative (asking for pardon), while 'Ospravedlňujem sa' is a statement (I am apologizing). The latter is more formal.
Say 'To nič' (It's nothing) or 'V poriadku' (It's okay).
Yes, it is the perfect level of formality for a professional relationship.
Both are fine. 'Mi' (me) adds a slightly more personal touch to the apology.
Yes, 'Prepáčte, môžem poprosiť účet?' is very natural.
Only with friends your own age. Never with elders or in shops.
You can actually use 'Prepáčte' because it is the plural form, but 'Prepáčte, decká' (Sorry, kids/guys) is more common.
In a way, yes, but without the 'haughty' connotation English can sometimes have.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Prepáč
specialized formInformal 'sorry'
Ospravedlňujem sa
synonymI apologize
S dovolením
similarWith permission
To nič
contrastIt's nothing
Mrzí ma to
similarI am sorry (it grieves me)
