Meaning
Stating physical illness
Cultural Background
Slovaks often use 'Je mi zle' to refer to 'ťažký žalúdok' (heavy stomach) after eating traditional fatty foods like bacon or fried cheese. There is a common belief that 'prievan' (a draft of air) can cause one to feel 'zle' suddenly, leading to headaches or neck pain. In a Slovak pharmacy, saying 'Je mi zle' will prompt the pharmacist to ask about specific symptoms like fever (teplota) or cough (kašeľ). It is socially acceptable to leave a party early by saying 'Je mi zle'; it is seen as a valid and honest reason that requires no further explanation.
The Dative Secret
Always use the dative pronouns (mi, ti, mu, jej, nám, vám, im). If you forget, just remember 'to me it is bad'.
Avoid 'Som'
Never say 'Som zle' unless you are confessing to being a villain in a movie.
Meaning
Stating physical illness
The Dative Secret
Always use the dative pronouns (mi, ti, mu, jej, nám, vám, im). If you forget, just remember 'to me it is bad'.
Avoid 'Som'
Never say 'Som zle' unless you are confessing to being a villain in a movie.
Add 'nejako'
Add 'nejako' (somehow) to sound more native: 'Je mi nejako zle' (I feel sick somehow/for some reason).
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct dative pronoun for 'I'.
Je ___ zle.
'mi' is the short dative form used in this standard expression.
How do you say 'He feels sick'?
Choose the correct translation:
'mu' is the dative pronoun for 'he'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Prečo nejdeš von? B: Pretože mi ____ zle.
The present tense requires the 3rd person singular 'je'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are on a spinning carnival ride and feel like you might vomit.
This is the standard phrase for nausea and motion sickness.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say 'Je mi zle'
Physical
- • Nausea
- • Dizziness
- • Faintness
Travel
- • Car sickness
- • Sea sickness
- • Plane sickness
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJe ___ zle.
'mi' is the short dative form used in this standard expression.
Choose the correct translation:
'mu' is the dative pronoun for 'he'.
A: Prečo nejdeš von? B: Pretože mi ____ zle.
The present tense requires the 3rd person singular 'je'.
You are on a spinning carnival ride and feel like you might vomit.
This is the standard phrase for nausea and motion sickness.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it's better to say 'Bolí ma hlava' (My head hurts). Use 'Je mi zle' if the headache makes you feel nauseous.
Both are correct. 'Je mi zle' is standard. 'Mne je zle' puts emphasis on the fact that *I* (and not someone else) feel sick.
Use the past tense: 'Bolo mi zle.'
Rarely. It's almost always physical. For emotional pain, use 'Som smutný' (I am sad) or 'Trápim sa' (I am suffering).
'Je mi zle' is a temporary feeling (nausea, faintness). 'Som chorý' means you have an illness like the flu.
Yes, if you truly feel unwell, it is better to be honest so people can help you.
In this specific construction (Je mi + adverb), yes. In other contexts, 'zle' just means 'badly'.
Yes, it's perfectly fine and means 'I feel bad/unwell.' 'Je mi zle' is just more common for sudden nausea.
Ask 'Je ti zle?' (informal) or 'Je vám zle?' (formal).
Add 'veľmi' or 'strašne': 'Je mi veľmi zle' or 'Je mi strašne zle.'
Related Phrases
Nie je mi dobre
similarI don't feel well
Je mi na vracanie
specialized formI feel like vomiting
Som chorý
similarI am sick/ill
Je mi nevoľno
synonymI feel faint/unwell
Točí sa mi hlava
builds onMy head is spinning
Mám horúčku
similarI have a fever
