Meaning
Describing a young human.
Cultural Background
Slovenians often use the dual 'dva otroka' even when talking about children in general if they happen to have two, which is the most common family size. In mountain villages, children are often called 'pobiči' (boys) or 'dekliči' (girls) rather than the more general 'otrok'. Young parents in the capital often use 'malček' or 'mini' as trendy alternatives to 'majhen otrok'. The character 'Kekec' is the quintessential 'majhen otrok' who is brave and resourceful in the mountains.
The Dual Rule
If you see two kids, always use 'dva majhna otroka'. It's the most common way to impress a native speaker.
Animacy
Don't forget to add '-ga' to 'majhen' and '-a' to 'otrok' when they are the object of the sentence.
Meaning
Describing a young human.
The Dual Rule
If you see two kids, always use 'dva majhna otroka'. It's the most common way to impress a native speaker.
Animacy
Don't forget to add '-ga' to 'majhen' and '-a' to 'otrok' when they are the object of the sentence.
Diminutives
Using 'otročiček' shows you are being very friendly and affectionate.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'majhen otrok'.
V parku vidim ______ (majhen otrok).
Because 'vidim' (I see) requires the accusative case, and 'otrok' is animate.
Choose the correct dual form.
Tukaj sta ______.
The dual form for masculine nouns ends in -a.
Match the Slovenian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the singular, dual, and plural forms.
Complete the dialogue.
Natakar: 'Ali potrebujete stolček za ______?'
The preposition 'za' (for) requires the accusative case.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Age Groups in Slovenian
Young
- • dojenček
- • majhen otrok
- • malček
Practice Bank
4 exercisesV parku vidim ______ (majhen otrok).
Because 'vidim' (I see) requires the accusative case, and 'otrok' is animate.
Tukaj sta ______.
The dual form for masculine nouns ends in -a.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the singular, dual, and plural forms.
Natakar: 'Ali potrebujete stolček za ______?'
The preposition 'za' (for) requires the accusative case.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is masculine. For a girl, you can say 'majhna deklica', but 'majhen otrok' can refer to both.
Usually when they start school (around age 6 or 7).
Yes, 'mali' is a very common informal shorthand for 'majhen otrok'.
It is irregular: 'otroci'.
Dva majhna otroka.
Yes, a 50-year-old is still their mother's 'otrok', but not her 'majhen otrok'.
Yes, in standard Slovenian, the adjective precedes the noun.
Distantly, yes. Both come from roots related to servants or labor.
No, 'otrok' is grammatically masculine, so you use the masculine dual: 'dva majhna otroka'.
It's a specific word for a toddler, often used interchangeably with 'majhen otrok'.
Related Phrases
majhen dojenček
similarsmall baby
odrasel človek
contrastadult human
šolski otrok
builds onschool-aged child
edinec
specialized formonly child
