Signification
Admitting lack of knowledge.
Contexte culturel
Slovaks value honesty. Saying 'Neviem' is better than giving a wrong answer, especially when giving directions. It's not seen as a lack of intelligence, but as a sign of reliability. In Slovak schools, 'Neviem' is the standard answer when a student hasn't prepared. However, teachers often follow up with 'Ako to, že nevieš?' (How come you don't know?), emphasizing the expectation of knowledge. In older establishments, a blunt 'Neviem' from a waiter might seem rude to foreigners, but it's often just a direct statement of fact. Modern service training now encourages 'Zistím vám to' (I will find out for you). In the East, 'Neznam' is used instead of 'Neviem'. This is a dialectal variation that is very common and widely understood across the country.
The 'Či' Rule
When you want to say 'I don't know IF...', always use 'či' after 'neviem'. Never use 'ak'.
Avoid 'Ja'
Don't start every sentence with 'Ja neviem'. It sounds like a direct translation from English and makes you sound like a beginner.
Signification
Admitting lack of knowledge.
The 'Či' Rule
When you want to say 'I don't know IF...', always use 'či' after 'neviem'. Never use 'ak'.
Avoid 'Ja'
Don't start every sentence with 'Ja neviem'. It sounds like a direct translation from English and makes you sound like a beginner.
Be Direct
Don't be afraid to say 'Neviem'. Slovaks prefer it over a long, rambling explanation of why you might not know.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct verb for the situation.
Asking if someone knows where the train station is: '______ kde je stanica?'
Since it's a fact (location), we use 'vedieť'. 'Vieš' is the informal 2nd person.
Fill in the negative form of 'vedieť'.
Prepáč, ale ja ______ tvoje meno.
Wait, actually names are tricky! You 'know' a name (fact), so 'neviem' is correct. If you didn't know the person, it would be 'nepoznám'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Kedy začína film? B: ______.
'Neviem' is the standard neutral response for not knowing a time.
Match the phrase to the formality level.
1. Netuším. 2. Neviem. 3. Nie som si istý.
'Netuším' is casual, 'Neviem' is standard, 'Nie som si istý' is polite/formal.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Neviem vs. Nepoznám
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAsking if someone knows where the train station is: '______ kde je stanica?'
Since it's a fact (location), we use 'vedieť'. 'Vieš' is the informal 2nd person.
Prepáč, ale ja ______ tvoje meno.
Wait, actually names are tricky! You 'know' a name (fact), so 'neviem' is correct. If you didn't know the person, it would be 'nepoznám'.
A: Kedy začína film? B: ______.
'Neviem' is the standard neutral response for not knowing a time.
1. Netuším. 2. Neviem. 3. Nie som si istý.
'Netuším' is casual, 'Neviem' is standard, 'Nie som si istý' is polite/formal.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, it's neutral. To make it more polite, add 'Prepáčte' (Sorry) before it.
Yes! 'Neviem lyžovať' means 'I don't know how to ski'.
'Netuším' is much stronger, like 'I have absolutely no idea'.
Use 'Ešte neviem'.
It is 'Neviem'. 'Viesť' is a different verb meaning 'to lead'.
Yes, that means 'I don't know anything'. Slovak uses double negatives.
That is a dialect from Eastern Slovakia. It's very common in songs and casual speech.
You must use 'Nepoznám ju'. 'Neviem ju' is incorrect.
Yes, but it's better to say 'Zistím to' (I will find out) right after.
It is 'Nevedel som' (masculine) or 'Nevedela som' (feminine).
Yes: 'Neviem prečo'.
Only in the sense of 'I don't have the skill'. For physical inability, use 'nemôžem'.
It's a diphthong, so it functions as one long syllable.
'Nie je mi známe' is very formal/bureaucratic.
Expressions liées
Netuším
similarI have no clue.
Kto vie?
similarWho knows?
Bohvie
similarGod knows.
Uvidíme
builds onWe will see.
Poznať
contrastTo know (a person/place).
