Meaning
The time during which work is performed.
Cultural Background
The 'lunch break' (prestávka na obed) is a legal right. Most Slovaks take it seriously, often leaving the office for a 'denné menu' (daily menu) at a nearby restaurant. In international hubs like Bratislava, 'Home Office' is often discussed as part of the 'pracovný čas' arrangement, where employees can work remotely. State offices often have 'Nestránkový deň' (non-client day), usually Wednesday or Friday, where their 'pracovný čas' is for internal work only and they don't see the public. Saturdays used to be part of the standard 'pracovný čas' until 1968, when the five-day work week was officially introduced.
Use 'v' for 'during'
If you want to say you are busy 'at work', say 'Som v pracovnom čase'.
Adjective Agreement
Remember that 'pracovný' must change its ending if the case of 'čas' changes (e.g., 'počas pracovného času').
Meaning
The time during which work is performed.
Use 'v' for 'during'
If you want to say you are busy 'at work', say 'Som v pracovnom čase'.
Adjective Agreement
Remember that 'pracovný' must change its ending if the case of 'čas' changes (e.g., 'počas pracovného času').
Interview Gold
Asking 'Ponúkate pružný pracovný čas?' shows you are modern and value work-life balance.
Lunch is separate
In Slovakia, the 30-minute lunch break is usually NOT part of the 8-hour 'pracovný čas'. You stay 8.5 hours total.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'pracovný čas'.
Môj ______ začína o ôsmej ráno.
The sentence needs the nominative case as it is the subject.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'During working hours'?
'Počas' requires the genitive case: 'pracovného času'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Aký máš dnes rozvrh? B: Dnes mám ______, končím už o druhej.
If they finish at 2 PM (earlier than usual), it is 'skrátený' (shortened/part-time).
Match the term to the situation.
1. Flexible hours, 2. Overtime, 3. Shift
These are essential related terms for work schedules.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Work vs. Shop Hours
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMôj ______ začína o ôsmej ráno.
The sentence needs the nominative case as it is the subject.
How do you say 'During working hours'?
'Počas' requires the genitive case: 'pracovného času'.
A: Aký máš dnes rozvrh? B: Dnes mám ______, končím už o druhej.
If they finish at 2 PM (earlier than usual), it is 'skrátený' (shortened/part-time).
1. Flexible hours, 2. Overtime, 3. Shift
These are essential related terms for work schedules.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, they are synonyms. 'Pracovný čas' is slightly more formal and common in legal texts, while 'pracovná doba' is very common in spoken language.
You say 'skrátený pracovný čas' or 'práca na polovičný úväzok'.
No, 'pracovný čas' only starts when you arrive at your workplace or start your duties.
You can ask: 'Kedy ti končí pracovný čas?' or more simply 'Kedy končíš v robote?'.
It means flexible working hours, where you can choose your start and end times within certain limits.
Both are correct. 'V pracovnom čase' is like 'in work time', while 'počas pracovného času' is 'during work time'.
No, for a doctor use 'ordinačné hodiny'.
It is typically 40 hours per week, usually 8 hours per day.
The word for overtime is 'nadčas'.
No, for students we use 'rozvrh' (schedule) or 'vyučovanie' (lessons).
Related Phrases
Pracovná doba
synonymWorking period/hours
Nadčas
contrastOvertime
Pružný pracovný čas
specialized formFlexible working hours
Smena
similarA work shift
Voľný čas
contrastFree time
