A1 conjunction

ale

Collocations courantes

ale zároveň
ale aj
alebo
ale predsa

Souvent confondu avec

ale vs avšak
synonym, more formal
ale vs no
synonym, more informal

Modèles grammaticaux

conjunction, introduces a contrast or an exception

Comment l'utiliser

Notes d'usage

The word 'ale' in Slovak is a conjunction that primarily means 'but' or 'however.' It is used to connect two contrasting clauses or phrases. For example, 'Chcem ísť von, ale prší' translates to 'I want to go out, but it's raining.' It can also be used to introduce an objection or a counter-argument, similar to how 'but' is used in English. It often appears at the beginning of a clause. While its primary meaning is straightforward, the nuance of its usage can vary with intonation; a raised tone might indicate a stronger objection, while a softer tone could introduce a gentle disagreement or an alternative perspective. 'Ale' is a very versatile and frequently used word in spoken and written Slovak.

Astuces

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Use 'ale' for contrast or exception.

In Slovak, 'ale' (pronounced ah-leh) is commonly used to introduce a contrasting idea or an exception to a previous statement. It's similar to 'but' or 'however' in English. For example, 'Je to pekné, ale drahé.' (It is nice, but expensive.)
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Don't confuse with 'no' or 'však'.

While 'no' and 'však' can also express contrast, 'ale' is generally a stronger and more direct conjunction for 'but'. 'No' often implies a slight hesitation or a softer contrast, and 'však' can sometimes be used for emphasis or as a rhetorical question, or for confirming something that was said earlier. For instance, 'Mám rád kávu, no čaj mám radšej.' (I like coffee, but I like tea more.)
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Combine with other conjunctions for nuanced meaning.

You can use 'ale' with other conjunctions to create more complex sentences. For example, 'alebo' means 'or else' or 'otherwise', and 'avšak' is a more formal synonym for 'ale', often translated as 'however'. Understanding these nuances will help you express yourself more precisely in Slovak.

Origine du mot

From Proto-Slavic *ale. Cognate with Upper Sorbian ale, Polish ale, Czech ale, Serbo-Croatian ali, Russian а́ле (ále).

Contexte culturel

In Slovak culture, 'ale' (but) serves as a fundamental conjunction for expressing contrast, objection, or a change in thought. It's a very common word used in everyday conversation and writing, and its usage mirrors that of 'but' in English. Slovaks tend to be direct in their communication, and 'ale' facilitates this by clearly demarcating opposing ideas or introducing a caveat. It can also be used to soften a statement or introduce a polite disagreement, depending on the tone and context. There isn't a specific cultural phenomenon or deep historical significance tied directly to the word 'ale' itself, beyond its essential grammatical function in expressing antithesis within the broader context of Slovak communication patterns.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions
'Ale' in Slovak primarily translates to 'but' in English. It's a common conjunction used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement after a previous one. For example, in the sentence 'Chcel som ísť, ale nemohol som' (I wanted to go, but I couldn't), 'ale' clearly indicates a contradiction or an obstacle.
While 'but' is its main meaning, 'ale' can sometimes carry nuances similar to 'however,' 'yet,' or 'on the other hand,' depending on the context. It can also be used for emphasis or to express surprise or disagreement in certain informal expressions, though its core function remains to introduce a contrast. For instance, 'To je ale prekvapenie!' could be translated as 'But that's a surprise!' or more naturally, 'What a surprise!'
'Ale' is typically placed between two clauses or phrases, connecting them in a way that presents a contrasting idea. It acts as a conjunction, so it doesn't change its form based on gender, number, or case. It's a very versatile and frequently used word in everyday Slovak conversation and writing. Its placement is quite straightforward, usually at the beginning of the clause that expresses the contrasting information.
Certainly! A good example would be: 'Je krásny deň, ale je trochu chladno.' This translates to 'It's a beautiful day, but it's a bit cold.' Here, 'ale' introduces the contrasting idea of the cold temperature despite the beauty of the day. Another example: 'Mám rád kávu, ale nie veľmi sladkú,' meaning 'I like coffee, but not too sweet,' where 'ale' qualifies the preference for coffee.

Teste-toi

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Mám rád kávu, ____ čaj.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
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Je to ťažké, ____ nie nemožné.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
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Chcel by som ísť, ____ nemám čas.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Score : /3

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