Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 noun 9 Min. Lesezeit

popoldne

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps popoldne in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung popoldne in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'popoldne' is one of the essential time words you learn to describe your daily routine. You use it to say when you do simple activities, like 'Popoldne spim' (I sleep in the afternoon) or 'Popoldne pijem kavo' (I drink coffee in the afternoon). At this stage, you should focus on using it as a simple adverb that doesn't change. You don't need to worry about complex grammar; just remember that it means 'in the afternoon' and usually comes at the beginning or end of your sentence. It is often paired with 'danes' (today) to make 'danes popoldne' (this afternoon). Learners should practice distinguishing it from 'dopoldne' (morning) to avoid making the wrong plans. Simple greetings like 'Dober dan' are used during this time. The focus is on basic communication and time management.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'popoldne' in more varied sentence structures and with basic adjectives. You can start saying 'lepo popoldne' (a nice afternoon) or 'dolgo popoldne' (a long afternoon). You also learn to use it with the future and past tenses, such as 'Včeraj popoldne sem bil v kinu' (Yesterday afternoon I was at the cinema). You start to recognize that 'popoldne' is a compound word (po + poldne). You also become familiar with the adjective 'popoldanski', using it in phrases like 'popoldanska malica' (afternoon snack). At this level, you are expected to handle simple social interactions involving afternoon plans, such as inviting a friend for a walk or explaining your work schedule.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'popoldne' as both an adverb and a noun. You understand how to decline the noun form in basic cases, such as the accusative for duration: 'Celo popoldne sem se učil' (I studied the whole afternoon). You also start to use more specific temporal markers like 'pozno popoldne' (late afternoon) and 'zgodnje popoldne' (early afternoon). You can describe events in more detail, discussing the 'popoldanski utrip mesta' (the afternoon pulse of the city). Your vocabulary expands to include related concepts like 'izmena' (shift) and how 'popoldne' fits into the broader Slovenian work-life balance. You are able to follow radio or TV announcements that use the word in a more formal context.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B2 level, you use 'popoldne' with stylistic variety. You can use it in more complex prepositional phrases like 'v pozno popoldne' or 'proti popoldnevu'. You understand the subtle difference between 'popoldne' and the colloquial 'popoldan' and know when to use each. You can engage in discussions about cultural habits related to the afternoon, such as the decline of the traditional 'popoldanski počitek' in modern urban life. You are able to read newspaper articles where 'popoldne' appears in headlines or reports about weather and events. You also start to use the word in idiomatic expressions or more abstract ways, such as describing the 'popoldne življenja' (the afternoon of life) in a metaphorical sense.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C1 level, your use of 'popoldne' is sophisticated and nuanced. You can use the noun form 'popoldne' in all its cases (genitive 'popoldneva', locative 'o popoldnevu', etc.) without hesitation. You appreciate the word's role in literary descriptions, where it might be used to set a specific mood or atmosphere. You can analyze the etymological roots and compare them with other Slavic languages. You are familiar with technical or academic uses of the word in sociology or history when discussing the evolution of the Slovenian daily schedule. You can express subtle temporal distinctions, using 'popoldne' to contrast with 'mrak' (dusk) or 'prakit' (twilight). Your speech is fluid, and you use 'popoldne' as a natural anchor in complex narratives.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, 'popoldne' is a tool for precise and evocative expression. You can use it in high-level literary analysis, creative writing, or philosophical discourse. You understand the deepest cultural connotations of the word, including how it has been used in Slovenian poetry and cinema to represent themes of transition, stillness, or the mundane. You can effortlessly switch between formal, informal, and archaic registers involving the word. You might use it in complex structures like 'v senci poletnega popoldneva' (in the shadow of a summer afternoon) to create vivid imagery. Your mastery is such that you can play with the word's rhythm and sound in speech to emphasize certain points, fully integrated into the native-like command of the language.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

popoldne in 30 Sekunden

Popoldne means 'afternoon' in Slovenian, covering the time from 12:00 PM until the evening begins. It is a compound word from 'after' and 'noon'.
It functions as both an adverb (answering 'when?') and a neuter noun (describing the period itself), making it highly versatile in everyday speech.
Unlike English, you often don't need a preposition like 'in' when using it as an adverb; simply saying 'popoldne' is sufficient for 'in the afternoon'.
It is culturally significant in Slovenia as the time for socializing over coffee (kofetkanje) and recreation after the typical early-ending workday.

The Slovenian word popoldne is a fundamental temporal marker that every learner must master early in their journey. At its core, it refers to the period of time starting from twelve o'clock noon and extending until the onset of evening, typically around five or six o'clock. Linguistically, the word is a compound formed from the preposition po (meaning 'after') and the noun poldne (meaning 'midday' or 'noon'). Therefore, it literally translates to 'after-noon'. In Slovenian daily life, this period is the heart of social and productive activity. Unlike some cultures where the afternoon might be reserved for a siesta, Slovenians typically use this time for 'kofetkanje' (socializing over coffee) after finishing their workday, which often begins as early as 7:00 or 8:00 AM and ends by 3:00 or 4:00 PM.

Grammatical Nature: While often used as an adverb to describe when an action occurs, 'popoldne' also functions as a neuter noun. When you want to say 'This afternoon was long,' you treat it as a subject: 'To popoldne je bilo dolgo.'

Vsako popoldne pijem kavo s prijatelji v mestu.

In urban centers like Ljubljana or Maribor, the 'popoldne' is characterized by a shift from the morning's professional bustle to a more relaxed, leisure-oriented atmosphere. You will hear people using this word constantly when making plans. It is the bridge between the structured morning 'dopoldne' and the familial or social 'večer' (evening). Understanding the nuance of this word requires recognizing that it is not just a clock-based term but a cultural state of mind. It represents the transition from labor to rest, from the public sphere to the private or semi-private sphere.

Temporal Boundaries: The 'popoldne' usually ends when the sun begins to set or when the 'večerja' (dinner) time approaches. In winter, this might feel earlier, but linguistically, the term remains stable regardless of the season's light.

Ali si prost to popoldne? Greva na sprehod?

Furthermore, 'popoldne' is often modified by adjectives to provide more specificity. A 'pozno popoldne' (late afternoon) refers to the time around 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, while an 'zgodnje popoldne' (early afternoon) is immediately following lunch. In professional settings, 'popoldanska izmena' refers to the afternoon shift, a common term in factories or service industries. By mastering this word, you gain the ability to navigate the most socially significant part of the Slovenian day, enabling you to participate in the rich tradition of afternoon gatherings that define the local lifestyle.

Using popoldne correctly involves understanding its dual role as both an adverb and a noun. This flexibility is common in Slovenian time-related words, but it can be tricky for English speakers who are used to saying 'in the afternoon' (requiring a preposition). In Slovenian, the adverbial form is frequently used on its own to answer the question 'Kdaj?' (When?). For example, 'Kdaj prideš?' (When are you coming?) can be answered simply with 'Popoldne.'

Adverbial Usage: When used to indicate the time an action occurs, it does not change its form. Example: 'Popoldne bomo igrali nogomet' (In the afternoon, we will play football).

Danes popoldne imam veliko dela v pisarni.

When 'popoldne' is used as a noun, it follows the declension patterns of neuter nouns. This is most common when you are describing the afternoon itself or using it with demonstrative pronouns like 'to' (this) or 'ono' (that). For instance, 'To popoldne je čudovito' (This afternoon is wonderful). Here, 'popoldne' is the subject in the nominative case. If you want to say 'during the whole afternoon', you would use the accusative case: 'Celo popoldne sem bral knjigo.'

Common Adjective Pairings: Lepo popoldne (nice afternoon), deževno popoldne (rainy afternoon), mirno popoldne (peaceful afternoon).

Preživeli smo nepozabno popoldne ob jezeru.

In more complex sentences, 'popoldne' can be part of a prepositional phrase. For example, 'v pozno popoldne' (into the late afternoon). However, beginners should focus on the simple adverbial use first. If you want to say 'this afternoon', the most natural way is 'danes popoldne' (literally 'today afternoon'). If you want to say 'tomorrow afternoon', use 'jutri popoldne'. This pattern is very consistent across all times of day (jutri zjutraj, jutri zvečer).

Syntactic Position: In Slovenian, the time-word often comes at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis or after the verb in a neutral statement. 'Popoldne grem v trgovino' vs 'Grem v trgovino popoldne.'

Ali lahko prideš k meni v popoldnevu?

By practicing these variations, you will be able to describe your daily schedule with precision. Remember that 'popoldne' is a versatile tool; whether you are complaining about a long afternoon at work or inviting someone for a pleasant walk, it is the essential word for the second half of the day.

You will encounter the word popoldne in almost every facet of Slovenian life, from formal announcements to casual street slang. On the radio, news anchors often begin their segments with a greeting like 'Dobro popoldne' (Good afternoon), although 'Dober dan' (Good day) is more common as a general greeting. In a business context, you will see it in emails when colleagues discuss deadlines or meetings. For example, 'Se vidimo popoldne' (See you in the afternoon) is a standard way to end a morning meeting.

Public Announcements: At train stations or bus terminals, you might hear: 'Vlak za Maribor odpelje ob dveh popoldne' (The train for Maribor departs at two in the afternoon).

Vreme bo popoldne delno oblačno s krajevnimi plohami.

In the domestic sphere, parents often tell their children: 'Domačo nalogo naredi popoldne, potem pa greš lahko ven' (Do your homework in the afternoon, then you can go out). It defines the rhythm of the household. In supermarkets and shops, you might see signs for 'popoldanske akcije' (afternoon sales) or 'popoldanski delovni čas' (afternoon working hours). This is particularly relevant for smaller shops that might close for a lunch break and reopen in the 'popoldne'.

Media and Entertainment: Television schedules are often divided into 'dopoldanski program' and 'popoldanski program'. Popular talk shows or soap operas are staples of the Slovenian 'popoldne'.

Vsako popoldne poslušam svojo najljubšo radijsko oddajo.

If you are visiting a Slovenian home, the host might offer you 'popoldanska kava' (afternoon coffee), which usually comes with a small sweet treat or 'piškoti'. This is a sacred time for conversation. In literature and poetry, 'popoldne' is frequently used to evoke feelings of melancholy, stillness, or the slow passage of time. Phrases like 'zaspanost poletnega popoldneva' (the sleepiness of a summer afternoon) are common in Slovenian prose. By paying attention to how this word is used in these various contexts, you will develop a feel for the temporal heartbeat of Slovenia.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with popoldne is trying to translate the preposition 'in' directly. In English, we say 'in the afternoon', which leads learners to say 'v popoldne' or 'v popoldnevu'. While 'v popoldnevu' is grammatically possible in specific contexts (like 'In the course of the afternoon'), it is much more natural to simply use the word 'popoldne' as an adverb.

The Preposition Trap: Incorrect: Grem v trgovino v popoldne. Correct: Grem v trgovino popoldne.

Ne reci 'v popoldne', raje uporabi samo 'popoldne' kot prislov.

Another common error is confusing 'popoldne' with 'dopoldne'. Because they sound similar and both contain the root 'poldne', beginners often swap them. Remember that 'do-' means 'until' (until noon = morning/forenoon) and 'po-' means 'after' (after noon = afternoon). Mixing these up can lead to significant scheduling mishaps!

Declension Errors: When using 'popoldne' as a noun, learners often forget that it is neuter. They might try to use masculine endings. Correct: To lepo popoldne. Incorrect: Ta lep popoldne.

Pozabi na 'ta lep popoldne', pravilno je 'to lepo popoldne'.

Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the distinction between the adverb 'popoldne' and the adjective 'popoldanski'. If you want to describe a noun, you must use the adjective. For example, 'popoldanski čaj' (afternoon tea), not 'popoldne čaj'. This is a standard rule in Slovenian: time-adverbs cannot modify nouns directly. Lastly, be careful with the word 'popoldan'. While you will hear it frequently in spoken Slovenian (e.g., 'danes popoldan'), 'popoldne' is the form you should use in writing and formal speech. Mastering these distinctions will make your Slovenian sound much more natural and precise.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words related to popoldne. The most direct counterpart is dopoldne, which covers the period from morning until noon. Understanding these as a pair helps solidify the concept of the 'poldne' (noon) anchor. Another related term is poldne itself, which is used to mark the exact moment of 12:00 PM.

Comparison: Popoldne vs. Večer: 'Popoldne' is the time of activity and errands, while 'večer' (evening) is for wind-down and social dinners. The transition usually happens around sunset.

Namesto 'popoldne' lahko včasih rečemo 'v popoldanskem času'.

If you want to be more specific, you can use phrases like pozno popoldne (late afternoon) or zgodnje popoldne (early afternoon). For formal writing, the phrase v popoldanskih urah (in the afternoon hours) is very common, especially in news reports or official schedules. For example, 'Prireditve se bodo zvrstile v popoldanskih urah' (The events will take place in the afternoon hours).

Related Adjectives: Popoldanski (afternoon - adj.), npr. popoldanska malica (afternoon snack), popoldanski počitek (afternoon rest).

Ali raje delaš dopoldne ali popoldne?

In some contexts, you might use po kosilu (after lunch) as a functional synonym for the early afternoon. In Slovenia, lunch is the main meal of the day, so 'po kosilu' is a very common way to set a time for a meeting. Another alternative is proti večeru (towards evening), which specifically targets the end of the afternoon. By learning these alternatives, you can vary your speech and sound more like a native speaker who chooses the most precise term for the situation. Whether you are describing a 'popoldanski sprehod' or waiting for the 'popoldansko sonce' to cool down, these related words provide the full linguistic spectrum of the Slovenian day.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'pol' (half) is also found in 'polovica' (a half) and 'polnoč' (midnight - literally 'half-night').

Aussprachehilfe

UK /pɔˈpoːldnɛ/

US /poʊˈpoʊldnɛ/

Second syllable (po-PO-ldne).

Reimt sich auf

dopoldne poldne brezmejne (slant) vsejne (slant) snežne (slant) nežne (slant) mirne (slant) širokne (slant)

Häufige Fehler

Stressing the first syllable (PO-poldne).
Pronouncing the 'l' as a 'w' (popowdne) - though this occurs in some dialects, standard Slovenian keeps the 'l'.
Replacing the final 'e' with an 'a' (popoldna) which is only for the genitive case.
Confusing it with 'popoldan', which has a different ending.
Mumbling the 'ldn' cluster; ensure all consonants are distinct.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

Very easy to recognize once the root 'poldne' is known.

Schreiben 2/5

The spelling is straightforward, but remember the 'e' at the end.

Sprechen 2/5

Requires correct stress on the second syllable.

Hören 2/5

Can be confused with 'dopoldne' if the speaker is fast.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

dan (day) ura (hour) poldne (noon) po (after) do (until)

Als Nächstes lernen

večer (evening) zjutraj (in the morning) dopoldne (forenoon) noč (night)

Fortgeschritten

mrak (dusk) svit (dawn) opoldne (at noon) popoldneva (declension)

Wichtige Grammatik

Temporal Adverbs without Prepositions

Popoldne grem domov. (No 'v' needed).

Neuter Noun Declension

To (nom.) popoldne, tega (gen.) popoldneva.

Adjective Agreement

Lepo (neuter) popoldne.

Word Order for Emphasis

Popoldne bomo kuhali (Emphasis on 'when').

Dative after 'kljub'

Kljub (kljub čemu?) deževnemu popoldnevu.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

Popoldne grem v park.

In the afternoon I go to the park.

Adverbial use at the start of the sentence.

Danes popoldne pijem čaj.

This afternoon I am drinking tea.

'Danes popoldne' is the standard way to say 'this afternoon'.

Ali si popoldne doma?

Are you at home in the afternoon?

Simple question using the adverb.

Popoldne ne delam.

I don't work in the afternoon.

Negation with 'ne' before the verb.

Kdaj prideš? Popoldne.

When are you coming? In the afternoon.

Single word answer to a 'Kdaj' question.

Lepo popoldne!

Have a nice afternoon!

Exclamatory use as a greeting/wish.

Popoldne je vroče.

It is hot in the afternoon.

Describing weather conditions.

Grem v trgovino popoldne.

I am going to the shop in the afternoon.

Adverb at the end of the sentence.

Vsako popoldne tečem.

I run every afternoon.

'Vsako' (every) modifies the noun 'popoldne'.

Včeraj popoldne je deževalo.

Yesterday afternoon it rained.

Past tense usage with 'včeraj'.

Imam popoldansko šolo.

I have afternoon school.

Using the adjective 'popoldansko'.

To popoldne je zelo dolgo.

This afternoon is very long.

Neuter noun 'popoldne' as the subject.

Jutri popoldne bomo kuhali.

Tomorrow afternoon we will cook.

Future tense with 'bomo'.

Raje imam mirna popoldneva.

I prefer peaceful afternoons.

Plural accusative form of the noun.

Popoldne gremo na obisk k babici.

In the afternoon we are going to visit grandma.

Planning a social activity.

V ponedeljek popoldne sem prost.

On Monday afternoon I am free.

Combining day of the week with time of day.

Celo popoldne sem čakal nate.

I waited for you the whole afternoon.

'Celo' indicates duration over the whole period.

Pozno popoldne se bomo dobili v kavarni.

In the late afternoon we will meet in the café.

'Pozno' specifies the later part of the afternoon.

V popoldanskem času je v mestu največ prometa.

In the afternoon, there is the most traffic in the city.

Using the phrase 'v popoldanskem času'.

Zaradi popoldanske izmene ne morem priti.

Because of the afternoon shift, I cannot come.

'Popoldanska izmena' is a common work term.

Preživela sta čudovito popoldne na deželi.

They spent a wonderful afternoon in the countryside.

Describing a past experience.

Vreme se bo v popoldnevu izboljšalo.

The weather will improve during the afternoon.

Using the locative case with 'v'.

Njegovo popoldne je bilo polno sestankov.

His afternoon was full of meetings.

Possessive 'njegovo' modifying the noun.

Zgodnje popoldne je najboljši čas za počitek.

Early afternoon is the best time for a rest.

Evaluating a specific time period.

Sonce je v pozno popoldne metalo dolge sence.

The sun cast long shadows in the late afternoon.

Descriptive literary use.

Vsa ta popoldneva so si bila podobna.

All those afternoons were similar to each other.

Plural nominative with 'vsa'.

Popoldne se je prevesilo v večer.

The afternoon turned into evening.

Using 'prevesiti se' to show transition.

Odločil se je za popoldanski sprehod po gozdu.

He decided on an afternoon walk through the forest.

Adjective 'popoldanski' in a prepositional phrase.

V popoldnevu njegove kariere se je posvetil pisanju.

In the afternoon of his career, he dedicated himself to writing.

Metaphorical use of 'popoldne'.

Ali bi se lahko slišala jutri popoldan?

Could we talk on the phone tomorrow afternoon?

Colloquial use of 'popoldan'.

Popoldneva v hribih so lahko nepredvidljiva.

Afternoons in the mountains can be unpredictable.

General statement about a location.

Kljub deževnemu popoldnevu smo se imeli lepo.

Despite the rainy afternoon, we had a good time.

Dative case after 'kljub'.

V melanholiji deževnega popoldneva je našel navdih.

In the melancholy of a rainy afternoon, he found inspiration.

Genitive case 'popoldneva' showing possession.

Popoldne je minilo, ne da bi karkoli naredil.

The afternoon passed without him doing anything.

Subordinate clause with 'ne da bi'.

Užival je v tišini poznega nedeljskega popoldneva.

He enjoyed the silence of a late Sunday afternoon.

Complex noun phrase with multiple modifiers.

Njegova popoldneva so bila posvečena študiju starih rokopisov.

His afternoons were dedicated to the study of old manuscripts.

Passive construction with 'posvečena'.

V vsakem popoldnevu se skriva delček večnosti.

In every afternoon, a piece of eternity is hidden.

Philosophical locative usage.

Popoldne se je vleklo kot jara kača.

The afternoon dragged on forever (idiom).

Using a Slovenian idiom for 'dragging on'.

Omenjeno popoldne je bilo ključno za njun odnos.

The mentioned afternoon was crucial for their relationship.

Formal adjective 'omenjeno'.

V senci tega popoldneva se je rodila nova ideja.

In the shadow of this afternoon, a new idea was born.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

Skozi prizmo tistega popoldneva je videl svojo preteklost.

Through the prism of that afternoon, he saw his past.

Highly abstract prepositional phrase.

Popoldne, to vmesno stanje med delom in počitkom, ga je vedno vznemirjalo.

Afternoon, that intermediate state between work and rest, always unsettled him.

Appositive phrase defining the noun.

Vsako popoldneva se je znova soočal z lastno minljivostjo.

Every afternoon he faced his own transience again.

Existential theme in a temporal context.

Liričnost poletnega popoldneva je ujeta v teh verzih.

The lyricism of a summer afternoon is captured in these verses.

Literary analysis terminology.

Ni bilo zgolj popoldne, temveč simbol upanja.

It wasn't merely an afternoon, but a symbol of hope.

Correlative conjunction 'ni bilo zgolj... temveč'.

V pozlačenem popoldnevu se je čas ustavil.

Time stood still in the golden afternoon.

Evocative adjective 'pozlačen'.

Njegov opis popoldneva meji na metafiziko.

His description of the afternoon borders on metaphysics.

Sophisticated vocabulary ('meji na', 'metafizika').

Brezbarvnost tistega popoldneva je odražala njegovo razpoloženje.

The colorlessness of that afternoon reflected his mood.

Abstract noun 'brezbarvnost'.

Häufige Kollokationen

lepo popoldne

sončno popoldne

celo popoldne

pozno popoldne

zgodnje popoldne

deževno popoldne

danes popoldne

vsako popoldne

prosto popoldne

mirno popoldne

Häufige Phrasen

Dober dan!

— The standard greeting used from morning until the late afternoon. It literally means 'Good day'.

Dober dan, kako ste?

Se vidimo popoldne.

— A common way to say goodbye to someone you will meet again later that day. It means 'See you in the afternoon'.

Hvala za sestanek, se vidimo popoldne.

Kaj delaš popoldne?

— A standard question to ask about someone's plans. It means 'What are you doing in the afternoon?'.

Živijo! Kaj delaš popoldne? Bi šel na kavo?

Popoldne imam opravke.

— A common excuse or statement of busyness. It means 'I have errands in the afternoon'.

Žal ne morem priti, ker imam popoldne opravke.

Uživaj v popoldnevu!

— A friendly wish to someone. It means 'Enjoy the afternoon!'.

Lep dan še naprej in uživaj v popoldnevu!

Popoldne počivam.

— Describing a routine of resting. It means 'I rest in the afternoon'.

Po službi sem utrujen, zato popoldne počivam.

Popoldne bo sonce.

— A simple weather prediction. It means 'It will be sunny in the afternoon'.

Zjutraj je bila megla, ampak popoldne bo sonce.

Pridi popoldne.

— An informal invitation. It means 'Come in the afternoon'.

Če imaš čas, pridi popoldne na obisk.

Celo popoldne sem bil zunaj.

— Emphasizing the duration of being outdoors. It means 'I was outside the whole afternoon'.

Vreme je bilo super, zato sem bil celo popoldne zunaj.

Popoldne je čas za kavo.

— A cultural statement about the importance of afternoon coffee.

V Sloveniji je popoldne čas za kavo.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

popoldne vs dopoldne

Means 'forenoon' or 'morning'. The only difference is the prefix 'do-' vs 'po-'.

popoldne vs poldne

Means exactly 'noon' (12:00). 'Popoldne' is the period after it.

popoldne vs opoldne

Means 'at noon'. It is a specific point in time, not a duration.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Popoldne življenja"

— Metaphorical phrase referring to middle age or the later years of a person's career/life. Similar to 'the autumn of life'.

Zdaj je v popoldnevu svojega življenja in končno uživa v sadovih svojega dela.

literary

"Vleči se kot popoldne brez kave"

— A humorous way to describe something that feels very slow and boring. Literally 'To drag on like an afternoon without coffee'.

Ta sestanek se vleče kot popoldne brez kave.

informal

"Zaspano popoldne"

— Refers to a time when nothing is happening and everyone feels sluggish. Often used for hot summer days.

Bilo je tipično zaspano popoldne v majhni vasi.

neutral

"Popoldanski ptič"

— A play on 'morning bird' (early bird), referring to someone who is most active or productive in the afternoon.

Jaz nisem jutranji človek, sem bolj popoldanski ptič.

informal

"Ujeti popoldne"

— To make the most of the remaining daylight or the specific atmosphere of the afternoon.

Pohitimo, da ulovimo to lepo popoldne na prostem.

neutral

"Popoldne se je prevesilo"

— A poetic way to say the afternoon is ending and evening is starting.

Ko se je popoldne prevesilo, so se sence podaljšale.

literary

"Goreti v popoldanskem soncu"

— Can refer to intense heat or the golden light of the late afternoon.

Gore so gorele v pozno popoldanskem soncu.

literary

"Ukradeno popoldne"

— A few hours of free time taken unexpectedly or during a busy period.

To ukradeno popoldne mi je res dobro delo.

informal

"V senci popoldneva"

— Doing something quietly or out of the public eye during the day's quieter hours.

V senci popoldneva sta kovala nove načrte.

literary

"Popoldne nima oči"

— A rare dialectal or poetic way to say that time passes without being noticed until it's gone.

Pazi, popoldne nima oči, hitro bo večer.

archaic/literary

Leicht verwechselbar

popoldne vs popoldan

It is a common variant of 'popoldne'.

'Popoldne' is the standard noun and adverb. 'Popoldan' is mostly used as an adverb in colloquial speech.

Standard: To popoldne. Colloquial: Danes popoldan.

popoldne vs popoldanski

It is the adjective form.

'Popoldne' is the time itself. 'Popoldanski' is used to describe other things (tea, nap, shift).

Popoldne (time) vs Popoldanski čaj (adjective).

popoldne vs dopoldne

Phonetically similar.

Do = before noon. Po = after noon. This is the most critical distinction for learners.

Dopoldne delam, popoldne pa počivam.

popoldne vs večer

Both occur in the second half of the day.

Popoldne starts at 12:00. Večer starts when it gets dark or around dinner time (6-7 PM).

Pozno popoldne je ob petih, večer pa ob osmih.

popoldne vs dan

Both refer to daylight hours.

'Dan' is the whole day (24h or daylight). 'Popoldne' is just one specific segment of it.

Cel dan (whole day) vs Celo popoldne (just the afternoon).

Satzmuster

[Popoldne] + [verb] + [object].

Popoldne pijem vodo.

[Danes/Jutri] + [popoldne] + [verb].

Danes popoldne grem v kino.

[Celo] + [popoldne] + [past tense verb].

Celo popoldne sem bral.

[V] + [popoldanskem času] + [verb].

V popoldanskem času rad hodim.

[Adjective] + [popoldneva] (genitive).

Zaradi lepega popoldneva smo ostali zunaj.

Metaphorical use of [popoldne].

V popoldnevu njegovih dni je našel mir.

Any

Lepo [popoldne]!

Lepo popoldne vam želim!

Any

Kaj delaš [popoldne]?

Kaj delaš jutri popoldne?

Wortfamilie

Substantive

popoldne (afternoon)

popoldneva (genitive of afternoon)

popoldnevnik (rare: afternoon newspaper/diary)

Verben

popoldnevati (rare/literary: to spend the afternoon)

Adjektive

popoldanski (afternoon - e.g., popoldanski čaj)

Verwandt

poldne (noon)

dopoldne (forenoon/morning)

opoldne (at noon)

polnoč (midnight)

dan (day)

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high; used daily by almost everyone.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'v popoldne' to mean 'in the afternoon'. → Popoldne.
In Slovenian, temporal adverbs like 'popoldne' do not require a preposition. Using 'v' is an anglicism.
Confusing 'popoldne' with 'dopoldne'. → Popoldne (Afternoon) / Dopoldne (Forenoon).
This leads to meeting people at the wrong time. Remember: Po = Post (After).
Treating 'popoldne' as a masculine noun (e.g., 'ta lep popoldne'). → To lepo popoldne.
The word is neuter, so adjectives must end in '-o' or '-e'.
Using the genitive 'popoldneva' when the nominative is needed. → Popoldne je bilo lepo.
Learners sometimes over-apply the '-eva' ending they hear in other contexts.
Writing 'popoldan' in a formal business email. → Popoldne.
'Popoldan' is considered colloquial and should be avoided in formal written correspondence.

Tipps

Adverb vs Noun

Remember: as an adverb, it doesn't change. As a noun, it declines. 'Grem popoldne' (adverb) vs 'Lepo popoldne' (noun).

Stress it Right

The stress is on the second 'po'. po-PO-ldne. Saying it correctly helps distinguish it from other words.

The 'PO' prefix

Associate 'PO' with 'POST'. Anything starting with 'PO' in time usually means 'after' something else.

Coffee Time

If someone invites you for a 'popoldanska kava', expect it to be between 3 PM and 5 PM. It's a key social ritual.

Contrast Pair

Always learn 'popoldne' and 'dopoldne' together. They are the two halves of the working day.

Standard Form

Always write 'popoldne' with an 'e' at the end in formal texts. Avoid the colloquial 'popoldan' in writing.

Danes/Jutri

Use 'danes popoldne' (today) and 'jutri popoldne' (tomorrow) to sound natural. Avoid using 'to popoldne' as much as 'danes popoldne'.

Weather Reports

Pay attention to 'popoldne' in weather forecasts. It's often the time when nevihte (storms) are predicted in summer.

No 'V'

Stop yourself from saying 'v popoldne'. Just say 'popoldne'. It's shorter and more correct!

Specificity

Use 'pozno' (late) or 'zgodaj' (early) with popoldne to be more precise about your plans.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'PO' as 'POST' (like post-meridian). PO-POLDNE = POST-MIDDAY. It's the time after the sun hits its peak.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a clock at 12:00. Now imagine the sun moving 'PO' (past) that 12:00 mark. That whole area to the right is the 'popoldne'.

Word Web

poldne dopoldne popoldanski kava počitek sonce ura dan

Herausforderung

Try to say 'Danes popoldne bom...' (This afternoon I will...) and finish the sentence with a different activity every day for a week.

Wortherkunft

The word is a Slavic compound. 'Po' is a common Slavic preposition meaning 'after'. 'Poldne' is a compound of 'pol' (half) and 'dne' (day/light), literally 'half-day' or noon.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The time that occurs after the middle of the day has passed.

Indo-European > Slavic > South Slavic > Slovenian.

Kultureller Kontext

None. It is a neutral temporal term.

In English-speaking cultures, 'afternoon' often feels like part of the workday (until 5 PM). In Slovenia, 'popoldne' is often viewed as the beginning of personal time.

Various Slovenian poems titled 'Popoldne' (e.g., by Srečko Kosovel). Popoldanski TV program on RTV Slovenija. The concept of 'popoldanski s.p.' (afternoon sole proprietorship) for side-hustles.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Scheduling a meeting

Ali imate čas popoldne?
Sestanek bo popoldne.
Lahko se dobiva popoldne.
Kdaj popoldne vam ustreza?

Daily routines

Popoldne ponavadi telovadim.
Kaj počneš ob popoldnevih?
Moje popoldne je vedno zasedeno.
Rad imam mirna popoldneva.

Weather reports

Popoldne bo deževalo.
Temperature bodo popoldne narasle.
Vreme se bo popoldne razjasnilo.
Popoldne pričakujemo veter.

Social invitations

Bi prišel popoldne na kavo?
Gremo popoldne na sprehod?
To popoldne morava izkoristiti.
Lepo popoldne ti želim!

Work/School

Popoldne imam še eno predavanje.
Delaš danes popoldne?
Popoldanska izmena je naporna.
Nalogo bom končal popoldne.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Kaj ponavadi počneš ob sobotah popoldne, ko si prost?"

"Ali raje piješ kavo zjutraj ali popoldne s prijatelji?"

"Kakšno bi bilo tvoje idealno nedeljsko popoldne v Sloveniji?"

"Ali se ti zdi, da so popoldneva v tvojem mestu preveč hrupna?"

"Kaj si delal včeraj popoldne po službi ali šoli?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Opiši svoje današnje popoldne. Kaj si videl, slišal in občutil?

Zakaj je popoldne včasih bolj stresno kot dopoldne? Razmisli o svojih izkušnjah.

Napiši kratko zgodbo, ki se dogaja v enem samem vročem poletnem popoldnevu.

Primerjaj svoje popoldneve v otroštvu s tistimi, ki jih imaš zdaj kot odrasla oseba.

Če bi imel popolnoma prosto popoldne brez obveznosti, kako bi ga preživel?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is a neuter noun. You can tell by the ending '-e' and how adjectives agree with it, for example, 'to lepo popoldne'. Using masculine endings is a common mistake for beginners.

No, you should avoid 'v'. In Slovenian, 'popoldne' functions as an adverb on its own. Simply say 'Popoldne grem v trgovino' to mean 'In the afternoon, I am going to the shop'.

'Popoldne' is the standard, grammatically correct form used in writing and formal speech. 'Popoldan' is a very common colloquial version used as an adverb in daily conversation. Both are understood, but 'popoldne' is safer for learners.

There is no fixed clock time, but it generally ends when 'večer' (evening) begins. This is usually around 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, or when the sun starts to set and people shift to evening activities.

The most natural way is 'danes popoldne'. You combine the word for 'today' (danes) with 'afternoon'. Similarly, 'tomorrow afternoon' is 'jutri popoldne'.

No, 'popoldne' is a time word. However, you can use the adjective 'popoldanski' in a phrase like 'popoldanski tip človeka' to describe someone who is more active in the afternoon.

The genitive form is 'popoldneva'. For example: 'Od tistega popoldneva ga nisem videl' (I haven't seen him since that afternoon).

While grammatically correct, it is mostly used in formal media (radio/TV). In person, people almost always use 'Dober dan' (Good day) throughout the entire afternoon.

No, 12:00 PM exactly is 'poldne'. 'Popoldne' starts immediately after 12:00. If you are exactly at noon, you say 'opoldne'.

Yes, as a noun it can be plural: 'popoldneva'. You use it when talking about multiple afternoons, like 'Vsa moja popoldneva so enaka' (All my afternoons are the same).

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen