Meaning
Feeling unhappy or grumpy.
Cultural Background
The 'jugo' wind in the Primorska region is often blamed for widespread 'slaba volja' and even headaches. Coffee culture is huge; 'slaba volja' before the first morning coffee is a socially accepted excuse for being quiet. The character 'Kekec' represents the national ideal of 'dobra volja', standing in contrast to the 'slaba volja' of the villain Bedanec. Complaining (stokanje) is sometimes seen as a national hobby, where sharing 'slaba volja' is a way of bonding.
The Genitive Rule
Always remember: 'Biti' + 'Slabe volje'. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
Don't say 'Slabo voljen'
It sounds like a literal translation from German 'gelaunt'. Stick to 'slabe volje'.
Meaning
Feeling unhappy or grumpy.
The Genitive Rule
Always remember: 'Biti' + 'Slabe volje'. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
Don't say 'Slabo voljen'
It sounds like a literal translation from German 'gelaunt'. Stick to 'slabe volje'.
Use 'Tečen' for friends
If a friend is being grumpy, 'Zakaj si tako tečen?' sounds more natural than the formal 'slabe volje'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'slaba volja' (Genitive case).
Danes sem ________ ________.
After the verb 'biti' (sem), we use the genitive case to describe a state of mood.
Which sentence is correct?
A: On ima slabo voljo. B: On je slabe volje.
While A is understandable, B is the standard idiomatic way to express being in a bad mood in Slovenian.
Match the phrase with its meaning.
1. Dobra volja, 2. Slaba volja, 3. Brez volje
Dobra = Good, Slaba = Bad, Brez = Without.
Complete the dialogue.
Ana: Zakaj ne ješ? Marko: Ker sem ________ ________.
Marko is explaining his state of mind.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Mood Spectrum
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDanes sem ________ ________.
After the verb 'biti' (sem), we use the genitive case to describe a state of mood.
A: On ima slabo voljo. B: On je slabe volje.
While A is understandable, B is the standard idiomatic way to express being in a bad mood in Slovenian.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Dobra = Good, Slaba = Bad, Brez = Without.
Ana: Zakaj ne ješ? Marko: Ker sem ________ ________.
Marko is explaining his state of mind.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's a neutral description of a mood. It's not an insult.
Yes, 'V ekipi je slaba volja' means the whole team is in a bad mood.
Dobra volja (good mood).
It's a remnant of an old Slavic structure where qualities were expressed in the genitive.
You can, but it sounds slightly less natural than 'Sem slabe volje'.
Very often! It's a staple of Slovenian psychological prose.
Sem ZELO slabe volje.
Rarely. For malice, we use 'zlonamernost'.
Yes, to describe a situation, but maybe not to describe your boss to their face!
Čemu ta slaba volja?
Related Phrases
dobra volja
contrastGood mood
biti tečen
synonymTo be grumpy
pokvariti voljo
builds onTo ruin the mood
brez volje
similarWithout motivation
