Meaning
Stating a hobby.
Cultural Background
Slovenians are often called a 'nation of poets and writers.' The most important cultural holiday is February 8th, the anniversary of the death of poet France Prešeren. The 'Reading Badge' (Bralna značka) is a unique tradition where school children are rewarded for reading books outside of the curriculum. Ljubljana was the World Book Capital in 2010, highlighting the city's commitment to literary culture. Public libraries are social hubs in Slovenia. It is very common for people of all ages to spend their afternoons there.
Gender is Key
Always check your gender before saying this. It's the #1 mistake for beginners.
Add 'Zelo'
Slovenians love enthusiasm. Saying 'Zelo rad berem' makes you sound much more natural.
Meaning
Stating a hobby.
Gender is Key
Always check your gender before saying this. It's the #1 mistake for beginners.
Add 'Zelo'
Slovenians love enthusiasm. Saying 'Zelo rad berem' makes you sound much more natural.
Ask Back
If you say you like reading, always ask the other person 'Kaj pa ti?' (What about you?).
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'rad' or 'rada'.
Ana: 'Jaz ____ berem romane.'
Ana is a female name, so she must use the feminine form 'rada'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for a man?
How do you say 'I like reading'?
'Rad' matches the male speaker, and 'berem' is the correctly conjugated verb.
Match the Slovenian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
These are standard translations of the variations.
Complete the dialogue.
Peter: 'Kaj delaš?' Maja: '____ berem novo knjigo.'
Maja is a female speaker.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a bookstore and want to tell the clerk you enjoy crime novels.
This correctly identifies your hobby and the genre.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Things you can 'Rad berem'
Genres
- • Romane
- • Kriminalke
- • Poezijo
Formats
- • Revije
- • Časopise
- • Stripe
Practice Bank
5 exercisesAna: 'Jaz ____ berem romane.'
Ana is a female name, so she must use the feminine form 'rada'.
How do you say 'I like reading'?
'Rad' matches the male speaker, and 'berem' is the correctly conjugated verb.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are standard translations of the variations.
Peter: 'Kaj delaš?' Maja: '____ berem novo knjigo.'
Maja is a female speaker.
You are at a bookstore and want to tell the clerk you enjoy crime novels.
This correctly identifies your hobby and the genre.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you must conjugate the verb. 'Rad berem' is correct.
In Slovenian, people often choose the gender they feel most comfortable with, or use the masculine 'rad' as a neutral default, though language evolution is ongoing.
It is neutral. You can use it with anyone.
Say 'Ne rad berem.'
Yes! 'Rad pijem kavo' (I like drinking coffee), 'Rad tečem' (I like running).
Slovenian verbs change their form when someone is doing the action. 'Berem' means 'I read.'
Yes, very! Slovenia has one of the highest numbers of books published per capita in the world.
'Rad' is for men, 'rada' is for women.
Yes, but it sounds like you like reading one specific book. 'Rad berem knjige' (plural) is better for a hobby.
Use 'Zelo rad berem' or 'Obožujem branje.'
Related Phrases
Rad imam knjige
similarI like books.
Z veseljem berem
synonymI read with pleasure.
Raje berem
specialized formI prefer reading.
Uživam v branju
similarI enjoy reading.
