Meaning
Informal way to say 'look at this'
Cultural Background
The use of 'kuknúť' is a sign of 'tykanie' (informal friendship). If someone uses this with you, they consider you a peer. In the capital, slang is often faster. You might hear 'Mrkni' or just 'Kuk' as a shorthand. Dialects here might use 'Kukaj' more frequently than 'Kukni', even for quick looks. In YouTube comments, 'Kukni na môj kanál' (Check out my channel) is a common (and sometimes annoying) phrase.
The 'Soft N' Secret
Make sure to pronounce the 'ni' in 'Kukni' softly, like the 'ny' in 'canyon'. It makes you sound much more native.
Not for Elders
Even if you are being friendly, using 'Kukni' with a grandmother you don't know well might be seen as a lack of upbringing.
Meaning
Informal way to say 'look at this'
The 'Soft N' Secret
Make sure to pronounce the 'ni' in 'Kukni' softly, like the 'ny' in 'canyon'. It makes you sound much more native.
Not for Elders
Even if you are being friendly, using 'Kukni' with a grandmother you don't know well might be seen as a lack of upbringing.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the informal phrase.
Hej, Adam! ______ na to, čo som našiel!
Since you are talking to one friend (Adam), you use the singular imperative 'Kukni'.
Which sentence is appropriate to say to your boss?
You want your boss to look at a report.
'Kukni' and 'Čum' are too informal for a boss. 'Pozrite sa' is the respectful 'Vykanie' form.
Match the Slovak phrase with its English equivalent.
Phrases: 1. Kukni na to, 2. Hoď na to očko, 3. Čum na to
These represent different levels of intensity and formality in Slovak looking-verbs.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to say 'Look' in Slovak
Formal
- • Pozrite sa
- • Všimnite si
Informal
- • Kukni
- • Mrkni
- • Pozri
Practice Bank
3 exercisesHej, Adam! ______ na to, čo som našiel!
Since you are talking to one friend (Adam), you use the singular imperative 'Kukni'.
You want your boss to look at a report.
'Kukni' and 'Čum' are too informal for a boss. 'Pozrite sa' is the respectful 'Vykanie' form.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These represent different levels of intensity and formality in Slovak looking-verbs.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsYes, it is the imperative of the verb 'kuknúť'. It is recognized in dictionaries but marked as informal or colloquial.
Only if the email is to a very close friend. In any professional context, use 'Pozrite sa na to'.
Related Phrases
Hoď na to očko
similarTake a quick look/check it
Mrkni na to
synonymTake a quick peek
Pozri sa
synonymLook
Čum na to
specialized formStare at that
