Meaning
Informal word for television.
Cultural Background
The 'Večerníček' is a cultural icon. Every evening, children watch this short program on 'telka'. It's so famous that the character has statues and is known by every generation. During Christmas, 'telka' is dominated by 'rozprávky' (fairy tales). It is a national tradition to watch 'Popoluška' (Cinderella) while eating potato salad. Slovaks and Czechs share a very similar media space. Many Slovaks watch Czech channels on their 'telka' and vice versa, leading to a high level of mutual intelligibility. In rural areas, 'telka' was historically the main source of connection to the capital, Bratislava. This gave the device a status of 'the window to the world'.
The 'V' Rule
Always use 'v telke' for programs. If you say 'na telke', people will look for a cat or a vase on top of your television.
Gender Matters
Telka is feminine. Use feminine adjectives: 'dobrá telka', 'veľká telka'.
Meaning
Informal word for television.
The 'V' Rule
Always use 'v telke' for programs. If you say 'na telke', people will look for a cat or a vase on top of your television.
Gender Matters
Telka is feminine. Use feminine adjectives: 'dobrá telka', 'veľká telka'.
Sound Native
Use 'telkáč' if you want to sound even more like a local, especially when talking about a small or old TV.
Small Talk
Asking 'Čo bolo včera v telke?' is a foolproof way to start a conversation in a Slovak breakroom.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'telka' in the locative case (in/on TV).
Dnes ______ (telka) nič nedávajú.
We use 'v' + locative case to say something is being broadcast on TV.
Which sentence is the most natural for a casual chat with a friend?
How would you say 'I bought a new TV'?
'Telka' is the most natural informal word for a conversation with a friend.
Match the Slovak phrase with its English meaning.
Phrases: 1. Vypni telku. 2. Čo je v telke? 3. Stará telka.
Vypni = Turn off; Čo je v... = What is in/on...; Stará = Old.
Complete the dialogue with the correct word.
A: Poďme von! B: Nemôžem, v ______ ide môj obľúbený seriál.
The context requires 'v telke' (on TV).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDnes ______ (telka) nič nedávajú.
We use 'v' + locative case to say something is being broadcast on TV.
How would you say 'I bought a new TV'?
'Telka' is the most natural informal word for a conversation with a friend.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Vypni = Turn off; Čo je v... = What is in/on...; Stará = Old.
A: Poďme von! B: Nemôžem, v ______ ide môj obľúbený seriál.
The context requires 'v telke' (on TV).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's not rude at all. It's just informal. You can use it with your boss if you have a friendly relationship.
Yes, people often say 'Pozrieme si Netflix v telke' if they are watching it on a smart TV.
The plural is 'telky'. For example: 'V obchode majú lacné telky.'
Both are correct. 'V televízii' is formal, 'v telke' is what people actually say at home.
The -ka suffix is a common Slovak way to make nouns feminine and informal.
Yes, it's very common to use 'telka' when shopping for one.
It literally means 'box' and is a slang, sometimes negative, word for TV.
Only in informal writing like texts, chats, or casual blogs.
Use 'na telke'. Example: 'Mačka leží na telke.'
Telka is already a sort of diminutive, but you can say 'telkička' for a very small, cute TV.
Related Phrases
televízor
similarThe physical TV set (neutral)
bedňa
slangThe box (pejorative)
obrazovka
specialized formScreen
ovládač
builds onRemote control
prepínať
builds onTo channel hop
