Signification
Stating lack of knowledge.
Contexte culturel
In Slovak schools, saying 'Neviem' is often followed by a lowered head. There is a strong emphasis on rote memorization, so not knowing a fact can feel like a personal failure to some older generations. There is a shared linguistic heritage with Czech. In Czech, they say 'Nevím to'. The two are mutually intelligible and used almost identically. Younger Slovaks often use the English 'IDK' in chats, but 'Neviem' remains the dominant spoken form. 'Netuším' is the preferred 'cool' way to say you don't know. In some eastern dialects, you might hear 'Neznam', which is closer to the Polish 'Nie znam' or Ukrainian 'Ne znayu'. However, 'Neviem' is understood everywhere.
The Shrug
Pair 'Neviem to' with a slight shoulder shrug to look like a local.
Don't say 'Nie viem'
It's a common beginner mistake. Always attach the 'ne' to the verb.
Signification
Stating lack of knowledge.
The Shrug
Pair 'Neviem to' with a slight shoulder shrug to look like a local.
Don't say 'Nie viem'
It's a common beginner mistake. Always attach the 'ne' to the verb.
Use 'Netuším'
If you want to sound really fluent and casual, use 'Netuším' instead of 'Neviem to'.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct verb for: 'I don't know your sister.'
______ tvoju sestru.
We use 'poznať' for people.
Fill in the missing prefix to say 'I don't know it'.
___viem to.
The negation prefix in Slovak is always 'ne-'.
Match the response to the question.
Kde je kľúč? (Where is the key?)
A location of an object is a fact, so we use 'neviem'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vieš tancovať? B: Nie, ______.
Dancing is a skill, so we use 'neviem to'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Vedieť vs Poznať
Banque d exercices
4 exercices______ tvoju sestru.
We use 'poznať' for people.
___viem to.
The negation prefix in Slovak is always 'ne-'.
Kde je kľúč? (Where is the key?)
A location of an object is a fact, so we use 'neviem'.
A: Vieš tancovať? B: Nie, ______.
Dancing is a skill, so we use 'neviem to'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'Neviem' is very common and often preferred in short answers.
No, it's neutral. Just add 'Prepáčte' (Sorry) to make it more polite.
They mean the same thing, but 'To neviem' puts a bit more emphasis on the 'that' (the specific thing you don't know).
Say 'Neviem prečo'.
Say 'Neviem ako'.
Yes, 'Neviem cestu' or 'Neviem to' (if the way was just mentioned).
'Neviem' is for 'I', 'nevedia' is for 'they'.
You can say 'Neviem jeho meno' (I don't know his name).
Yes, but often followed by a promise to find out.
In this context, yes, it refers to the object of your ignorance.
Expressions liées
Netuším
synonymI have no clue
Nepoznám
contrastI don't know (a person/place)
Nerozumiem
similarI don't understand
Zistím to
builds onI will find out
Kto vie?
similarWho knows?
