Meaning
To have the motivation to do something.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'pridnost' (diligence) is central. Having 'volja' is seen as a sign of a good, reliable person. In the mountains, 'volja' is what gets you to the peak when your legs give out. It's a survival trait. Younger people use 'nimam volje' to talk about mental health and burnout more openly than older generations. Many 20th-century Slovenian poems deal with the 'will of the nation' to survive under different empires.
The 'Do' Rule
Always remember: Imeti voljo DO + Genitive. It's the most common mistake for foreigners.
Negative Genitive
Don't forget to change 'voljo' to 'volje' when you say 'nimam'.
Meaning
To have the motivation to do something.
The 'Do' Rule
Always remember: Imeti voljo DO + Genitive. It's the most common mistake for foreigners.
Negative Genitive
Don't forget to change 'voljo' to 'volje' when you say 'nimam'.
Polite Refusal
Use 'nimam volje' to decline things without sounding rude or personal.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'imeti voljo'.
Danes sem zelo utrujen, zato ______ ______ za učenje.
The sentence says 'I am very tired', so the negative form is required.
Which preposition follows 'imeti voljo' when used with a noun?
Imam voljo ___ delo.
The standard preposition for 'motivation for something' is 'do' + Genitive.
Match the Slovenian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common variations of the root idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Greva na kavo? B: Ne, oprosti, ______ ______ ______.
The context of 'Ne, oprosti' implies a negative response.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDanes sem zelo utrujen, zato ______ ______ za učenje.
The sentence says 'I am very tired', so the negative form is required.
Imam voljo ___ delo.
The standard preposition for 'motivation for something' is 'do' + Genitive.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common variations of the root idiom.
A: Greva na kavo? B: Ne, oprosti, ______ ______ ______.
The context of 'Ne, oprosti' implies a negative response.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, for hunger use 'lačen sem'. 'Imeti voljo' is only for mental motivation.
Yes, but in that context, we usually say 'oporoka'. 'Zadnja volja' (last will) is also used.
Use 'sem slabe volje'.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Related Phrases
biti dobre volje
similarto be in a good mood
izgubiti voljo
contrastto lose motivation
jeklena volja
specialized formiron/steel will
po lastni volji
builds onof one's own free will
brezvoljnost
relatedapathy/listlessness
