Signification
Used to politely express a wish or order.
Contexte culturel
In Slovenian 'Gostilne' (inns), being polite to the staff is highly valued. Using 'Rad bi' instead of 'Hočem' is the first step to good service. Slovenians prefer a 'soft' approach in negotiations. 'Rad bi' is used to propose ideas without sounding like a dictator. When visiting someone's home, if they offer you food, you can use 'Ne bi rad' to politely decline if you are full. Younger Slovenians in Ljubljana might use 'Jaz bi' (dropping the 'rad') to sound more casual and 'cool' among peers.
Gender is Key
Always check your gender before speaking. Men: Rad, Women: Rada.
Avoid 'Hočem'
Using 'Hočem' (I want) in shops makes you sound like an angry toddler. Stick to 'Rad bi'.
Signification
Used to politely express a wish or order.
Gender is Key
Always check your gender before speaking. Men: Rad, Women: Rada.
Avoid 'Hočem'
Using 'Hočem' (I want) in shops makes you sound like an angry toddler. Stick to 'Rad bi'.
The 'Prosim' Combo
Always add 'prosim' (please) at the end for maximum Slovenian politeness points.
The Dual
If you are with one friend, use 'Rada bi' (2 men) or 'Radi bi' (2 women) to sound like a native.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'rad' based on the gender in parentheses.
___ bi kavo. (Female)
Women must use the feminine form 'Rada'.
Choose the most polite way to order a beer.
How do you order a beer politely?
'Rad bi' is the standard polite form for requests.
Complete the dialogue at the train station.
Potnik: Dober dan. _______ eno vozovnico za Bled, prosim. (Male speaker)
A male speaker uses 'Rad bi'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'Radi bi plačali' to the correct context.
'Radi bi' is plural, and 'plačali' means to pay.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Gender Agreement for 'Rad bi'
Male
- • Rad bi
Female
- • Rada bi
Group (M/Mixed)
- • Radi bi
Group (F)
- • Rade bi
Banque d exercices
4 exercices___ bi kavo. (Female)
Women must use the feminine form 'Rada'.
How do you order a beer politely?
'Rad bi' is the standard polite form for requests.
Potnik: Dober dan. _______ eno vozovnico za Bled, prosim. (Male speaker)
A male speaker uses 'Rad bi'.
Match 'Radi bi plačali' to the correct context.
'Radi bi' is plural, and 'plačali' means to pay.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, that would be 'Rad te imam'. 'Rad bi te' sounds like you want to 'have' them in a very literal, often strange way.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also with your boss or a waiter.
No, 'Rad bi' already implies 'I' because of the ending. Adding 'jaz' is optional and often omitted.
It is 'Radi bi' for men/mixed groups and 'Rade bi' for women.
Use 'Ne bi rad'. For example: 'Ne bi rad kave.'
Yes, it is very common in emails to express requests politely.
'Želel bi' is just a more formal, 'fancier' version of the same thing.
No, 'bi' is a particle and stays the same for everyone (I, you, he, we, etc.).
No, it must be 'Rad bi kavo' (accusative case).
Yes, it is standard Slovenian and understood everywhere.
Expressions liées
rad imam
similarto like/love something
raje bi
builds onwould rather
želel bi
synonymwould wish
hočem
contrastI want
bi lahko
similarcould I
