Meaning
Used to ask for a translation or word.
Cultural Background
Slovaks appreciate when foreigners try to speak their language. Using 'Ako sa to povie?' is often a great conversation starter and will likely result in a friendly mini-lesson. In many Slavic cultures, the reflexive passive is the default for impersonal questions. It sounds more polite and less demanding than 'How do you say...'. In Slovak schools, students are taught to be very precise with terminology. Asking 'Ako sa to povie?' shows you value this precision. In the capital, many people speak English, but using this phrase shows you are not just another tourist and are making an effort to integrate.
Add 'po slovensky'
Always add 'po slovensky' at the end if you want to be 100% clear you are asking for the Slovak translation.
Don't forget 'sa'
Without 'sa', the sentence is grammatically incomplete and sounds very 'Tarzan-like'.
Meaning
Used to ask for a translation or word.
Add 'po slovensky'
Always add 'po slovensky' at the end if you want to be 100% clear you are asking for the Slovak translation.
Don't forget 'sa'
Without 'sa', the sentence is grammatically incomplete and sounds very 'Tarzan-like'.
Use 'Prosím vás'
Starting with 'Prosím vás' (Please) makes the question much more polite when asking strangers.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase.
Ako ___ to povie po slovensky?
The reflexive particle 'sa' is required to make the phrase impersonal.
Which of these is the most natural way to ask for a translation of 'house'?
How do you ask for the word 'house'?
This is the standard, most natural formula for asking for a translation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Prepáčte, neviem, ako sa to povie. B: To je kľúč. A: Aha, ďakujem! A ako sa to ___?
In this context, asking how it is written ('píše') is a logical follow-up after learning the word.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are pointing at a strange fruit in a Slovak market.
When pointing at an object to learn its name, 'Ako sa to povie?' is the best choice.
Match the Slovak phrase with its English equivalent.
1. Ako sa to povie? 2. Ako sa to volá? 3. Čo to znamená?
These are the three most common 'help' phrases for learners.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Povie vs. Znamená
Practice Bank
5 exercisesAko ___ to povie po slovensky?
The reflexive particle 'sa' is required to make the phrase impersonal.
How do you ask for the word 'house'?
This is the standard, most natural formula for asking for a translation.
A: Prepáčte, neviem, ako sa to povie. B: To je kľúč. A: Aha, ďakujem! A ako sa to ___?
In this context, asking how it is written ('píše') is a logical follow-up after learning the word.
You are pointing at a strange fruit in a Slovak market.
When pointing at an object to learn its name, 'Ako sa to povie?' is the best choice.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the three most common 'help' phrases for learners.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for people use 'Ako sa voláte?' (formal) or 'Ako sa voláš?' (informal).
It is neutral. It's safe to use in any situation, but adding 'Prosím vás' makes it formal.
'Povie' is for a specific instance or name; 'hovorí' is for general speaking or proverbs.
Yes, but 'po slovensky' is much more common and natural.
In Slovak, the reflexive particle 'sa' usually takes the second position in a sentence. 'Ako sa to povie' follows this rule.
Absolutely! It's very common when asking friends for help with words via text.
Just point at the object and say 'Ako sa to povie?'. The gesture does the work!
Not really, but you can just say 'Ako?' while pointing, though it's less polite.
Technically yes, it's the future form, but in this idiom, it translates to the present 'is said'.
No, use 'Čo to znamená?' for definitions.
Related Phrases
Ako sa to volá?
similarHow is it called?
Čo to znamená?
contrastWhat does it mean?
Ako sa to píše?
builds onHow is it written?
Ako sa to číta?
builds onHow is it read?
Povedzte to ešte raz.
similarSay it once more.
