Bedeutung
Making a phone call.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Slovaks often use 'prezváňanie' (giving a missed call) as a code. It can mean 'I am here' or 'Call me back'. Phone calls are generally avoided during lunch hours (12:00-13:00) and late at night (after 21:00) unless it's an emergency. Younger generations prefer 'písať' (texting) over 'telefonovať', but a call is still expected for birthdays or big news. In villages, the 'obecný rozhlas' (village loudspeaker) was the original 'phone call' to the whole community.
The Dative Rule
Always remember that communication verbs in Slovak (speak, write, call) usually take the dative case.
Gender Matters
Don't forget to use 'priateľke' if your friend is female. Using 'priateľovi' for a woman sounds very strange.
Bedeutung
Making a phone call.
The Dative Rule
Always remember that communication verbs in Slovak (speak, write, call) usually take the dative case.
Gender Matters
Don't forget to use 'priateľke' if your friend is female. Using 'priateľovi' for a woman sounds very strange.
Imperfective vs Perfective
Use 'telefonovať' for the act of talking, and 'zavolať' for the act of initiating the call.
Greeting
When you call, start with 'Prosím?' or 'Haló?'. Your friend will likely answer with 'Áno?' or 'Počúvam?'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the word 'priateľ' in the dative case.
Peter práve telefonuje ________.
The verb 'telefonovať' requires the dative case, which for 'priateľ' is 'priateľovi'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
Both the possessive pronoun 'môjmu' and the noun 'priateľovi' must be in the dative case.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Čo robíš? B: Moment, ________.
In the context of a phone call, 'telefonujem priateľovi' is the most appropriate response.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
You are in the middle of a long conversation with a friend on your mobile.
The present continuous/imperfective 'telefonujem' describes an ongoing action.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Imperfective vs Perfective
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenPeter práve telefonuje ________.
The verb 'telefonovať' requires the dative case, which for 'priateľ' is 'priateľovi'.
Choose the correct option:
Both the possessive pronoun 'môjmu' and the noun 'priateľovi' must be in the dative case.
A: Čo robíš? B: Moment, ________.
In the context of a phone call, 'telefonujem priateľovi' is the most appropriate response.
You are in the middle of a long conversation with a friend on your mobile.
The present continuous/imperfective 'telefonujem' describes an ongoing action.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, you must change 'priateľovi' to 'priateľke'.
'Volať' is more general (can mean to shout or to call), while 'telefonovať' specifically means using a phone.
It is neutral. It's safe to use with anyone, from a boss to a best friend.
You use the dative plural: 'Telefonujem priateľom'.
Yes, 'brnknúť kamošovi' is very common among young people.
Only if you use the instrumental case: 'Telefonujem s priateľom'. Both are correct, but 'Telefonujem priateľovi' is more direct.
Yes, it applies to any voice call technology.
It means to let the phone ring once and hang up, usually as a signal.
Masculine animate nouns (like people) take '-ovi' in the dative singular.
It can also mean 'boyfriend'. Context usually makes it clear.
Verwandte Redewendungen
zavolať priateľovi
similarTo make a call to a friend (perfective).
písať priateľovi
contrastTo write to a friend.
hovoriť s priateľom
builds onTo talk with a friend.
zdvihnúť telefón
specialized formTo pick up the phone.
zložiť telefón
specialized formTo hang up the phone.
