Meaning
To make the final decision.
Cultural Background
In traditional rural Slovenia, the 'gospodar' (head of the farm) held the last word on all financial and land matters. This legacy still influences how authority is viewed in older generations. Slovenian business culture is often hierarchical. While teamwork is encouraged, it is culturally expected that the person with the highest title will have the last word. There is a common joke that while the husband is the 'head' of the family, the wife is the 'neck' that turns the head, meaning she actually has the last word. Slovenia follows a civil law system where the judge's 'last word' is strictly bound by the written code, unlike common law systems where precedent might play a different role.
Case Check
Always remember the '-o' ending. It's a feminine noun in the accusative case.
Don't be rude
Telling someone 'Ti moraš vedno imeti zadnjo besedo' can be quite offensive as it implies they are arrogant.
Meaning
To make the final decision.
Case Check
Always remember the '-o' ending. It's a feminine noun in the accusative case.
Don't be rude
Telling someone 'Ti moraš vedno imeti zadnjo besedo' can be quite offensive as it implies they are arrogant.
Use with 'bo'
Use the future tense 'bo imel' when talking about upcoming decisions to sound more natural.
The 'Gospodar' vibe
Understand that this phrase carries a weight of traditional authority in Slovenia.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words in the correct case.
V naši službi direktor vedno ___ zadnjo ___.
The subject 'direktor' is 3rd person singular (ima), and the object must be in the accusative (besedo).
Which sentence means 'You are stubborn and always want to win the argument'?
Izberi pravilen stavek:
This is the idiomatic way to describe someone who refuses to stop arguing until they feel they've won.
Match the person to the situation where they have the 'last word'.
Kdo ima zadnjo besedo?
A judge has the legal authority to make the final decision in a court.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ali se lahko odločim sam? B: Ne, tvoja žena ___ ___ ___.
The standard idiom is 'imeti zadnjo besedo'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesV naši službi direktor vedno ___ zadnjo ___.
The subject 'direktor' is 3rd person singular (ima), and the object must be in the accusative (besedo).
Izberi pravilen stavek:
This is the idiomatic way to describe someone who refuses to stop arguing until they feel they've won.
Kdo ima zadnjo besedo?
A judge has the legal authority to make the final decision in a court.
A: Ali se lahko odločim sam? B: Ne, tvoja žena ___ ___ ___.
The standard idiom is 'imeti zadnjo besedo'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business report.
Yes: 'Oni imajo zadnjo besedo.'
No, it often just means who makes the final decision in a peaceful process.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you could say 'Nima nobene besede' (He has no say).
No, 'zadnji govor' means 'the last speech' (like at a funeral). It doesn't mean the final decision.
It is singular. You only have one 'last word'.
Želim imeti zadnjo besedo.
Yes, for referees or coaches making final calls.
Yes, metaphorically. 'Denar ima zadnjo besedo' (Money has the last word).
Yes, many songs about breakups mention who had the last word.
Not necessarily. It only implies they have the power to end the discussion.
Yes, to ask about the decision-making hierarchy.
Yes, because 'beseda' is feminine.
People will understand you, but it will sound like 'I have the last word' (nominative), which is a common beginner error.
Related Phrases
Imeti glavno besedo
similarTo be the main person in charge.
Priti do besede
builds onTo finally get a chance to speak.
Beseda ni konj
contrastWords don't hurt/Words are easy.
Držati se za besedo
similarTo take someone at their word.
Vzeti besedo
similarTo take the floor/start speaking.
