Meaning
Asking for a translation.
Cultural Background
Slovaks appreciate any effort to speak their language. Using this phrase often triggers a 'mini-lesson' where the native speaker will repeat the word several times to help you with pronunciation. In the capital, people are used to foreigners and might answer in English immediately. You can insist on the Slovak word by saying 'Nie, po slovensky prosím!' In villages, people might use dialect words. If you ask 'Ako sa povie...?', they might give you a word that isn't in your textbook, which is a great way to learn local culture. In formal settings, using 'Ako sa povie' is perfectly fine, but adding 'Prosím vás' (I ask you) at the beginning is highly recommended for politeness.
Use your hands!
If you don't know the English word either, point at the object and say 'Ako sa povie tomuto?'
Don't forget the 'sa'
Saying 'Ako povie' sounds like 'How will he say', which is confusing.
Meaning
Asking for a translation.
Use your hands!
If you don't know the English word either, point at the object and say 'Ako sa povie tomuto?'
Don't forget the 'sa'
Saying 'Ako povie' sounds like 'How will he say', which is confusing.
Add 'po slovensky'
Always add 'po slovensky' at the end to be clear, especially in tourist areas.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing reflexive particle.
Ako ___ povie 'house' po slovensky?
The particle 'sa' is required to make the phrase 'How is it said'.
Choose the correct way to ask for a translation of 'water'.
Which one is correct?
'Ako sa povie' is the standard idiom for translation requests.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are pointing at a strange fruit in a market.
Using 'tomuto' (to this) is correct when pointing at an object.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Prepáčte, neviem slovo pre 'table'. B: ________ 'stôl'.
When answering, you can say 'Povie sa to [word]' or simply '[Word]'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAko ___ povie 'house' po slovensky?
The particle 'sa' is required to make the phrase 'How is it said'.
Which one is correct?
'Ako sa povie' is the standard idiom for translation requests.
You are pointing at a strange fruit in a market.
Using 'tomuto' (to this) is correct when pointing at an object.
A: Prepáčte, neviem slovo pre 'table'. B: ________ 'stôl'.
When answering, you can say 'Povie sa to [word]' or simply '[Word]'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, for names use 'Ako sa voláš?' (What is your name?) or 'Ako sa volá ten človek?' (What is that person called?).
Use 'povie' for a specific word/translation. Use 'hovorí' for general proverbs like 'Ako sa hovorí, trpezlivosť ruže prináša'.
It is neutral. You can use it with anyone. To make it more formal, add 'Prosím vás' at the beginning.
'Sa' is the direct reflexive (itself), while 'si' is the indirect reflexive (to itself). In this passive construction, 'sa' is the only correct choice.
Related Phrases
Ako sa to volá?
similarHow is it called?
Čo znamená...?
builds onWhat does ... mean?
Ako sa to píše?
builds onHow is it written/spelled?
Ako sa to vyslovuje?
builds onHow is it pronounced?
