Bedeutung
A polite filler used to ask for things formally.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The distinction between 'Vykanie' (formal) and 'Tykanie' (informal) is a pillar of Slovak social life. Using 'Prosím vás' correctly can make the difference between being seen as a respectful guest or a rude tourist. In many Slavic and Germanic cultures, politeness is often expressed through formal pronouns. This creates a 'public' persona that is distinct from one's 'private' life. Slovak service can sometimes seem 'cold' to Americans because of the formal distance. 'Prosím vás' is the tool used to bridge that distance respectfully. Younger Slovaks are becoming more informal, especially in tech and creative industries, but 'Prosím vás' remains the default for any interaction with the state or older generations.
The Magic Word
If you forget all other Slovak, just say 'Prosím vás' and point. It will get you 90% of what you need.
Don't 'Tykať'
Never use 'Prosím ťa' with a police officer or a government official. It can be seen as a lack of respect.
Bedeutung
A polite filler used to ask for things formally.
The Magic Word
If you forget all other Slovak, just say 'Prosím vás' and point. It will get you 90% of what you need.
Don't 'Tykať'
Never use 'Prosím ťa' with a police officer or a government official. It can be seen as a lack of respect.
The Disbelief Hack
Use 'Ale prosím vás!' with a dismissive hand wave to sound like a local when someone tells you something unbelievable.
Telephone Etiquette
When you pick up the phone, just say 'Prosím?'. It's the standard Slovak 'Hello?'.
Teste dich selbst
You are at a train station and want to ask a stranger where the platform is. Which phrase do you use?
__________, kde je nástupište?
Since you are talking to a stranger, you must use the formal 'vás'.
Complete the sentence to order a beer politely in a restaurant.
Jedno pivo, __________.
Waiters should be addressed formally in Slovakia.
Match the Slovak phrase with its English function.
Match the following:
The position and pronoun change the nuance of the phrase.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: __________! B: Áno? A: Kde je tu lekáreň?
'Prosím vás' is the most natural way to get someone's attention before asking a question.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formal vs Informal
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben__________, kde je nástupište?
Since you are talking to a stranger, you must use the formal 'vás'.
Jedno pivo, __________.
Waiters should be addressed formally in Slovakia.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
The position and pronoun change the nuance of the phrase.
A: __________! B: Áno? A: Kde je tu lekáreň?
'Prosím vás' is the most natural way to get someone's attention before asking a question.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but 'Prosím vás' is more complete and polite when addressing someone specifically.
It is always 'vás' (accusative). 'Vám' is dative and is used with 'Ďakujem'.
Use 'Prosím ťa'. Children are always addressed informally.
You can use 'Prosím' or 'Niet za čo'.
Yes, 'Prosím?' with a rising intonation is the standard way to ask someone to repeat themselves.
Yes, it is very common in formal emails to start a request.
It's a way to say 'Oh, come on!' or 'Don't be silly!'
Literally, yes, but nobody thinks of it that way today. It's just 'Please'.
Absolutely. It is the required level of politeness for a student-teacher relationship.
'Prepáčte' is 'I'm sorry/Excuse me' (for a mistake or interruption). 'Prosím vás' is 'Excuse me' (to ask for something).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Prosím ťa
similarPlease (informal)
Nech sa páči
contrastHere you go / After you
Prepáčte
similarSorry / Excuse me
Prosím pekne
specialized formPlease (very polite)
Vďačne
builds onYou're welcome / Gladly
