Meaning
Describing bright, sunny weather.
Cultural Background
Slovenians are obsessed with 'sončna uprava' (sunny administration), a joking term for the weather. If it's sunny, productivity in offices might drop as everyone dreams of being outside. In the capital, 'sončno' weather means the 'špica' and the riverbanks will be full. It's a social requirement to have at least one coffee in the sun. On the coast, 'sončno' is often accompanied by the 'burja' wind. Even if it's sunny, it might be freezing cold because of the wind. In the mountains, 'sončno' is a window of opportunity. Hikers check the 'ARSO' forecast religiously to find 'sončno' windows to avoid storms.
The 'O' Rule
Remember that weather adverbs in Slovenian almost always end in 'o' (sončno, oblačno, mrzlo, toplo).
Small Talk Gold
If you don't know what to say to a Slovenian, just mention it's sunny. It's the safest and most positive opener.
Meaning
Describing bright, sunny weather.
The 'O' Rule
Remember that weather adverbs in Slovenian almost always end in 'o' (sončno, oblačno, mrzlo, toplo).
Small Talk Gold
If you don't know what to say to a Slovenian, just mention it's sunny. It's the safest and most positive opener.
Sun vs. Sunny
Don't say 'Zunaj je sonce' unless you are pointing at the actual sun in the sky as an object.
Add 'končno'
Say 'Končno je zunaj sončno' (Finally it's sunny) to sound like a local after a few rainy days.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to say 'It is sunny outside'.
Zunaj ___ sončno.
We use the 3rd person singular 'je' for present tense weather.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct weather description:
Weather expressions require the neuter form 'sončno'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ali gremo v park? B: Da, ker ___ ___ ___.
Going to the park is a logical response to sunny weather.
Match the Slovenian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
This tests your knowledge of tenses in weather phrases.
Which phrase fits best when you see a clear sky and want to go for a walk?
Situation: Clear sky, hiking boots on.
Sunny weather is perfect for hiking.
Change the sentence to the past tense: 'Zunaj je sončno.'
Zunaj je ___ sončno.
The past tense of 'je' in impersonal weather phrases is 'bilo' (neuter).
🎉 Score: /6
Visual Learning Aids
Tenses of Weather
Practice Bank
6 exercisesZunaj ___ sončno.
We use the 3rd person singular 'je' for present tense weather.
Choose the correct weather description:
Weather expressions require the neuter form 'sončno'.
A: Ali gremo v park? B: Da, ker ___ ___ ___.
Going to the park is a logical response to sunny weather.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
This tests your knowledge of tenses in weather phrases.
Situation: Clear sky, hiking boots on.
Sunny weather is perfect for hiking.
Zunaj je ___ sončno.
The past tense of 'je' in impersonal weather phrases is 'bilo' (neuter).
🎉 Score: /6
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, 'Sončno je' is perfectly fine and very common. Adding 'zunaj' just specifies 'outside'.
In this context, it functions as a predicate adjective in the neuter form, which often looks like an adverb in Slovenian.
Add 'zelo' before 'sončno': 'Zunaj je zelo sončno.'
You say: 'Zunaj je sončno, ampak mrzlo.'
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Slovenian doesn't use 'to' (it) as a dummy subject for weather. It's just 'Je sončno'.
Use 'Ali': 'Ali je zunaj sončno?'
No, for a person you would say 'On/Ona je sončna oseba.'
People often say 'Sonček je!' to be extra friendly.
Usually, yes, but 'Sončno je zunaj' is also understandable, just less common.
V Ljubljani je sončno.
You might hear 'Sonce žge' (The sun is burning/stinging) on very hot days.
Zunaj je oblačno (It is cloudy) or Zunaj dežuje (It is raining).
Yes: 'Včeraj je bilo sončno.'
Related Phrases
Sonce sije
similarThe sun is shining
Lepo vreme
similarNice weather
Jasno nebo
specialized formClear sky
Vroče je
builds onIt is hot
Oblačno je
contrastIt is cloudy
Sončen zahod
specialized formSunset
