Meaning
Not feeling well physically.
Cultural Background
The 'Prepih' Myth: Slovenians have a cultural fear of drafts. Being 'bolan' is often blamed on an open window or door creating a breeze. Tea Culture: When someone is 'bolan,' the immediate remedy is herbal tea, usually mountain tea (planinski čaj) or chamomile (kamilica), always with honey and lemon. Sick Leave (Bolniška): It is socially unacceptable to go to work if you are 'bolan.' Slovenians value the recovery period and the state provides paid sick leave. The 'Viroza': Slovenians often use the word 'viroza' to describe a general viral infection when they are 'bolan.' It's a catch-all term for the flu or a cold.
Gender is Key
Always check if you need to add an 'a' at the end if you are female (bolna).
Avoid 'Imam'
Never say 'Imam bolan.' It sounds like you are possessing a sick person.
Meaning
Not feeling well physically.
Gender is Key
Always check if you need to add an 'a' at the end if you are female (bolna).
Avoid 'Imam'
Never say 'Imam bolan.' It sounds like you are possessing a sick person.
The 'Prepih' excuse
If you want to sound like a local, blame your illness on a draft!
Wishing well
When someone says they are bolan, always reply with 'Pozdravi se!' (Get well!).
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'bolan' (bolan, bolna, bolni).
Moja sestra je ____.
Sestra (sister) is feminine singular, so we use 'bolna'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
How do you say 'We (men) are sick'?
'Mi' is masculine plural, 'smo' is the correct verb, and 'bolni' is the plural adjective.
Match the subject with the correct form of 'biti bolan'.
Subjects: 1. Jaz (m), 2. Vid in Ana, 3. Ti (f)
Jaz (m) -> sem bolan; Vid in Ana (dual) -> sta bolna; Ti (f) -> si bolna.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Zakaj ne greš v kino? B: Ker ____ ____.
The speaker (B) is talking about themselves, so 'sem bolan' is the logical choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Biti Bolan'
Physical
- • Fever
- • Flu
- • Cough
Professional
- • Sick leave
- • Calling boss
Social
- • Canceling plans
- • Staying home
Gender Agreement
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMoja sestra je ____.
Sestra (sister) is feminine singular, so we use 'bolna'.
How do you say 'We (men) are sick'?
'Mi' is masculine plural, 'smo' is the correct verb, and 'bolni' is the plural adjective.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Jaz (m) -> sem bolan; Vid in Ana (dual) -> sta bolna; Ti (f) -> si bolna.
A: Zakaj ne greš v kino? B: Ker ____ ____.
The speaker (B) is talking about themselves, so 'sem bolan' is the logical choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, for a headache use 'Boli me glava.' 'Bolan' is for general illness like the flu.
The feminine form is 'bolna.' Example: 'Ona je bolna.'
Use the verb 'zboleti.' For example: 'Mislim, da bom zbolel.'
It can be, but 'duševna bolezen' is the formal term. 'Bolan na glavi' is an insult.
It is short for 'bolniška odsotnost,' meaning official sick leave from work.
In standard Slovenian, it is 'bolan.' 'Bolen' is a dialectal variation.
Use 'Slabo mi je.' 'Bolan' is more general.
No, only for people and animals. For cars, use 'pokvarjen.'
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Bil sem bolan (m) or Bila sem bolna (f).
Midva sva bolna (two men) or Midve sva bolni (two women).
Only young people, and they might just use the English word 'sick' or 'bolano.'
Related Phrases
slabo se počutiti
similarto feel poorly
zboleti
builds onto fall ill
ozdraveti
contrastto get well
bolečina
specialized formpain
bolniška
specialized formsick leave
biti zdrav
contrastto be healthy
