When using "malo" with a plural noun, the noun is always in the genitive case. This applies when you're talking about a small quantity of something that can be counted.
For example, you'd say "malo knjig" (a few books) and not "malo knjige". The same rule applies when referring to a small amount of an uncountable noun.
So, you'd say "malo vode" (a little water) and not "malo voda". Remember, if you're ever in doubt, the genitive case is usually your safest bet with "malo" and nouns.
When used as an adverb, malo signifies 'a little' or 'not much,' describing the extent or degree of an action or state. It indicates a small quantity or a limited degree. For example, if you say Malo spim, it means 'I sleep a little' or 'I don't sleep much,' indicating a small amount of sleep. It modifies verbs or adjectives to convey this sense of limited quantity or intensity. This usage is fundamental for expressing nuances of degree in Slovenian.
When discussing quantities, malo signifies 'a little' or 'not much'.
It's used when the amount is small but still present, indicating a non-zero quantity.
For example, if you say 'Imam malo časa' (I have a little time), it means you have some time, but not a lot.
This contrasts with 'nimam časa' (I don't have time at all), which implies zero time.
malo em 30 segundos
- expresses small quantity
- indicates a little bit
- used for degree or amount
§ What 'Malo' Means
- Slovenian Word
- malo
- Word Type
- adverb
- CEFR Level
- A1
- English Definition
- to a small extent; a little
The Slovenian word malo is an adverb that you'll hear all the time. It simply means 'a little' or 'to a small extent'. It's very versatile and can be used in many different contexts, from asking for a small amount of something to describing how much you know or understand.
§ At Work
In a work setting, you might use malo to describe progress, effort, or even how much you're able to do. It's common to hear it when discussing tasks or asking for help.
Potrebujem malo pomoči pri tem projektu. (I need a little help with this project.)
Delamo malo dlje danes. (We are working a little longer today.)
§ At School/Learning
When you're learning Slovenian, malo will be your friend. You'll use it to talk about how much you understand, how difficult something is, or how much more you need to study.
Razumem samo malo. (I understand only a little.)
Potrebujem še malo časa za učenje. (I need a little more time to study.)
§ In the News/General Conversation
When listening to the news or having general conversations, you'll hear malo used to indicate small quantities, slight changes, or a minor degree of something. It's often used to provide context or nuance.
Cene so se dvignile za malo. (Prices have risen a little.)
Danes bo malo dežja. (There will be a little rain today.)
§ More Examples
Here are a few more ways you'll encounter 'malo' in typical Slovenian conversations:
Bi želeli malo kave? (Would you like a little coffee?)
Sem malo utrujen. (I am a little tired.)
Povejte mi malo več o tem. (Tell me a little more about that.)
Je malo hladno zunaj. (It's a little cold outside.)
As you can see, malo is a fundamental word for expressing nuances and quantities in Slovenian. Practice using it to sound more natural and precise in your conversations.
§ 'Malo' vs. 'Majhen'
Many English speakers confuse 'malo' (a little, adverb) with 'majhen' (small, adjective). This is a common pitfall because in English, 'a little' can sometimes function as an adjective (e.g., 'a little car'). However, in Slovenian, these are distinct. 'Malo' modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, telling you *how much* or *to what extent* something is done or true. 'Majhen' describes a noun, telling you *what kind* of a thing it is. Remember, 'malo' is about quantity or degree, while 'majhen' is about size.
Jaz govorim malo slovensko.
- Hint
- I speak a little (adverb) Slovenian.
To je majhen avto.
- Hint
- This is a small (adjective) car.
§ Using 'Malo' with Nouns Directly
Another common mistake is to use 'malo' directly before a noun to mean 'a small quantity of'. While 'malo' *can* be used with nouns, it generally implies 'a little bit of' and takes the genitive case. However, beginners often try to use it like an adjective, which is incorrect. If you want to say 'a small amount of coffee', you would say 'malo kave' (literally 'a little of coffee'). You wouldn't say 'malo kava'.
Hočem malo vode.
- Hint
- I want a little (of) water. (vode is genitive)
If you are referring to a small *countable* number of items, you'd use 'nekaj' (some, a few) or specific numbers, rather than 'malo'. 'Malo' primarily refers to uncountable quantities or to the degree of something.
Incorrect: *Malo knjige (to mean 'a few books')
Correct: Nekaj knjig (A few books)
§ 'Malo' vs. 'Drobno' or 'Nekaj'
While 'malo' means 'a little' or 'not much', sometimes learners try to use it in contexts where other words are more appropriate. For example:
To describe something as 'tiny' or 'petite', you'd use adjectives like 'drobno' or 'majhno', not 'malo'.
When you mean 'some' or 'a few' (for countable items), 'nekaj' is the word you need.
To je drobna cvetica.
- Hint
- This is a tiny (adjective) flower.
How Formal Is It?
"Ali mi lahko prosim pomagate nekoliko dvigniti to škatlo? (Could you please help me lift this box a little?)"
"Imam samo malo časa. (I only have a little time.)"
"Daj mi samo malo. (Just give me a little.)"
"Pojedel sem samo malo piškotkov. (I only ate a little bit of cookies.)"
"Čakaj mal! (Wait a sec! (literally: Wait a little!))"
Exemplos por nível
Hočem malo mleka, prosim.
I want a little milk, please.
Imam malo časa danes.
I have a little time today.
Potrebujem malo pomoči.
I need a little help.
Govorim malo slovensko.
I speak a little Slovenian.
Je malo utrujen.
He is a little tired.
Malo dežuje.
It's raining a little.
Samo malo, prosim.
Just a little, please.
Počivaj malo.
Rest a little.
Govorim samo malo slovensko.
I speak only a little Slovenian.
Placement of 'samo malo' before the noun it modifies.
Potrebujem malo časa, da dokončam nalogo.
I need a little time to finish the task.
Using 'malo' with an uncountable noun 'časa' (time).
Ali lahko prosim počakate malo?
Can you please wait a little?
Using 'malo' as an adverb modifying the verb 'počakate' (wait).
Imam samo malo denarja do naslednje plače.
I have only a little money until the next paycheck.
Using 'samo malo' to emphasize a small quantity.
Prosila je za malo mleka v kavi.
She asked for a little milk in her coffee.
Using 'malo' with a genitive noun 'mleka' (milk).
Malo sem utrujen, zato grem spat.
I am a little tired, so I'm going to sleep.
Using 'malo' to modify an adjective 'utrujen' (tired).
Potrebujemo še malo kruha za večerjo.
We still need a little bread for dinner.
Using 'še malo' to express 'a little more'.
Malo dežja nas ne bo ustavilo.
A little rain won't stop us.
Using 'malo' with a genitive noun 'dežja' (rain) as the subject.
Slovenska vlada si je prizadevala za malo spremembo zakonodaje, ki bi olajšala birokratske postopke.
The Slovenian government sought a minor change in legislation that would ease bureaucratic procedures.
Kljub temu, da je bil projekt izjemno zahteven, je ekipa z malo truda uspela doseči zastavljene cilje.
Despite the project being extremely demanding, the team, with a little effort, managed to achieve the set goals.
Analiza je pokazala, da je malo verjetno, da bi se gospodarska rast v prihodnjem letu bistveno pospešila.
The analysis showed that it is highly unlikely that economic growth will significantly accelerate next year.
Potrebno je malo potrpljenja, saj se rešitve za kompleksne probleme običajno ne najdejo čez noč.
A little patience is needed, as solutions to complex problems are usually not found overnight.
Zaradi malo časa, ki smo ga imeli na voljo, smo morali nekatere podrobnosti projekta izpustiti.
Due to the limited time we had available, we had to omit some project details.
Malo ljudi se zaveda, kako pomembna je trajnostna raba naravnih virov za prihodnost našega planeta.
Few people realize how important sustainable use of natural resources is for the future of our planet.
Čeprav je imel malo izkušenj na tem področju, se je z odliko spopadel z vsemi izzivi.
Although he had little experience in this field, he handled all challenges with excellence.
Po dolgem in napornem dnevu si je privoščil malo počitka, da si nabere novih moči.
After a long and arduous day, he allowed himself a little rest to gather new strength.
Samo malo potrpljenja, prosim.
Just a little patience, please.
Malo sem utrujen od dolgega potovanja.
I'm a little tired from the long journey.
Ali lahko dobim malo vode, prosim?
Can I have a little water, please?
Malo sem pozabil, kaj sem hotel reči.
I've a little forgotten what I wanted to say.
To je samo malo težko na začetku.
It's just a little difficult at the beginning.
Malo sem pogledal novice, preden sem šel spat.
I looked at the news a little before I went to sleep.
Je malo čudno, da ga ni bilo tam.
It's a little strange that he wasn't there.
Počasi, malo po malo, se boš naučil.
Slowly, little by little, you will learn.
Frequentemente confundido com
'Majhen' (small) is the adjective form. 'Malo' is the adverb. 'Majhen' agrees with the noun (e.g., 'majhen avto' - a small car), while 'malo' describes extent (e.g., 'malo dežja' - a little rain).
'Velik' (big) is the adjective form. 'Veliko' is the adverb. 'Velik' agrees with the noun (e.g., 'velik pes' - a big dog), while 'veliko' describes quantity (e.g., 'veliko ljudi' - many people).
'Dober' (good) is the masculine adjective form. 'Dobro' can be the neuter adjective or the adverb 'well.' 'Dober' changes for gender/number (e.g., 'dobra knjiga' - a good book), 'dobro' as an adverb is invariant.
Expressões idiomáticas
"malo morgen"
no way, not a chance (literally: a little tomorrow)
A boš šel danes tečt? Malo morgen! (Are you going to run today? No way!)
informal"imeti malo časa"
to have little time
Žal mi je, nimam malo časa. (I'm sorry, I don't have much time.)
neutral"malo po malo"
little by little, gradually
Malo po malo se uči slovensko. (He's learning Slovenian little by little.)
neutral"malo pred"
a little before
Prišel je malo pred sedmo. (He arrived a little before seven.)
neutral"malo za tem"
a little after that
Šel je domov, in malo za tem je deževalo. (He went home, and a little after that it rained.)
neutral"malo pa"
just a little bit, slightly
Malo pa me je zmedlo. (It confused me just a little bit.)
neutral"malo se mu je zmešalo"
he's gone a little crazy (literally: a little it got mixed up to him)
Mislim, da se mu je malo zmešalo. (I think he's gone a little crazy.)
informal"malo sem se zmotil"
I made a small mistake
Ups, malo sem se zmotil pri izračunu. (Oops, I made a small mistake in the calculation.)
neutral"malo bolj"
a little more
Lahko prosim govorite malo bolj počasi? (Could you please speak a little more slowly?)
neutral"malo manj"
a little less
Rad bi malo manj sladkorja v kavi. (I'd like a little less sugar in my coffee.)
neutralFácil de confundir
'Malo' can be confusing because it can function as an adverb meaning 'a little' or 'not much,' but it also has forms that function as an adjective meaning 'small.' Learners often mix these uses.
As an adverb, it describes verbs or adjectives (e.g., 'malo spim' - I sleep a little). As an adjective, it describes nouns and changes endings (e.g., 'mala hiša' - a small house).
Spim samo malo. (I only sleep a little.) / Imam malo časa. (I have a little time.)
Similar to 'malo,' 'veliko' can be an adverb meaning 'a lot' or 'much,' and its adjective forms mean 'big' or 'large.' The distinction can be tricky for beginners.
Adverb: describes action or quantity (e.g., 'veliko delam' - I work a lot). Adjective: describes a noun and inflects (e.g., 'velika hiša' - a big house).
Jem veliko. (I eat a lot.) / Imam veliko denarja. (I have a lot of money.)
'Dobro' can be an adverb meaning 'well' or a neuter adjective meaning 'good.' English speakers often struggle with the distinction because 'good' can sometimes act adverbially in English.
Adverb: describes how an action is performed (e.g., 'Govorim dobro slovensko' - I speak Slovenian well). Adjective: describes a noun (e.g., 'To je dobro vino' - This is good wine).
Pojem dobro. (I sing well.) / To je dobro. (This is good.)
This set of words means 'fond of' or 'like' but it behaves like an adjective and changes based on the gender and number of the subject, which is very different from the English verb 'like.'
It's an adjectival predicate, not a verb. It always combines with a form of 'biti' (to be) or implied 'je/so' and refers to the subject's gender and number. 'Rad' (m.sg.), 'rada' (f.sg.), 'radi' (m.pl.), 'rade' (f.pl.).
Jaz rad berem. (I (m) like to read.) / Ona rada poje. (She likes to sing.) / Oni radi tečejo. (They (m) like to run.)
While seemingly straightforward ('here'/'there'), learners sometimes confuse their exact usage or placement in sentences, especially when paired with verbs of motion vs. verbs of state.
'Tukaj' means 'here' (at this location). 'Tam' means 'there' (at that location). They refer to static positions. For motion, 'sem' (to here) and 'tja' (to there) are used.
Knjiga je tukaj. (The book is here.) / On je tam. (He is there.)
Família de palavras
Substantivos
Adjetivos
Como usar
Use malo to express small quantities, whether countable or uncountable. It's versatile!
Many beginners confuse malo with majhen. Remember: malo means 'a little' (quantity), while majhen means 'small' (size/adjective).
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of 'malo' sounding a bit like 'small-o'. If something is small, it's 'a little'.
Associação visual
Imagine a small pile of something, like a 'little' bit of flour or a 'little' cloud, and label it 'malo'.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to use 'malo' in three different sentences describing something you have a small amount of, or how much you speak a language. For example, 'Pijem malo vode.' (I drink a little water.)
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasThis is a great question! While both relate to 'smallness,' they're used differently. 'Malo' is an adverb, meaning 'a little' or 'to a small extent.' It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Think of it as answering 'how much?' or 'to what degree?'
Example: 'Jaz govorim malo slovensko.' (I speak a little Slovenian.)
'Majhen' is an adjective, meaning 'small' or 'tiny.' It describes nouns. Think of it as answering 'what kind?'
Example: 'Imam majhno knjigo.' (I have a small book.)
So, 'malo' tells you 'how much' of something, and 'majhen' tells you 'what kind' of something.
Yes, 'malo' can be used with nouns, but it still functions as an adverb quantifying the noun, often implying 'a little bit of' or 'some.'
Example: 'Imam malo časa.' (I have a little time.)
Example: 'Potrebujem malo vode.' (I need a little water.)
It's important to remember that it's still about the quantity or extent, not directly describing the noun's size like an adjective would.
For 'a lot' or 'many,' you'll typically use 'veliko.'
Example: 'Imam veliko prijateljev.' (I have many friends.)
Example: 'Jaz jem veliko.' (I eat a lot.)
Just like 'malo' is about a small quantity or extent, 'veliko' is about a large quantity or extent. They are opposites in this sense.
'Malo' typically implies a small, but present, amount. It's generally neutral or slightly positive in the sense that something exists, even if in a small quantity.
Example: 'Imam malo denarja.' (I have a little money.) - This means you have some money, just not much.
If you want to express 'almost none' or a negative implication, you might use phrases like 'skoraj nič' (almost nothing) or 'komaj kaj' (hardly anything).
Example: 'Imam skoraj nič denarja.' (I have almost no money.)
No, 'malo' is an adverb and does not change its ending. Adverbs are invariable words, meaning their form remains the same regardless of gender, number, or case. This is a good thing – one less thing to memorize! You'll use 'malo' in the same form every time.
Yes, absolutely! 'Malo' can be used to soften a statement, making it less direct or more polite, similar to 'a bit' or 'a little bit' in English.
Example: 'Sem malo utrujen.' (I am a little tired.) - This is softer than just 'Sem utrujen' (I am tired).
Example: 'Je malo jezen.' (He is a little angry.)
It's a useful way to add nuance to your sentences.
This is a common point of confusion. Both can mean 'a little' or 'some,' but there's a subtle difference.
'Malo' specifically emphasizes the smallness of the quantity or extent.
Example: 'Imam malo časa.' (I have a little time.) - The focus is on the limited amount of time.
'Nekaj' means 'some' or 'a few' and doesn't carry the same emphasis on smallness. It's more about an unspecified quantity that is not 'none.'
Example: 'Imam nekaj jabolk.' (I have some apples.) - It doesn't necessarily mean a small number, just an unspecified amount.
Think of 'malo' as 'a small amount' and 'nekaj' as 'an unspecified amount (more than zero).'
Yes, this is a very common and correct usage! 'Malo' can modify adjectives to indicate 'a little bit' or 'somewhat.'
Example: 'To je malo drago.' (This is a little expensive.)
Example: 'Je malo žalostna.' (She is a little sad.)
It functions much like 'a little' in English in these contexts, softening the adjective.
To say 'just a little' or 'only a little,' you would typically add 'samo' (only/just) before 'malo.'
Example: 'Potrebujem samo malo sladkorja.' (I need just a little sugar.)
Example: 'Govorim samo malo angleško.' (I speak only a little English.)
This combination clearly emphasizes the limited quantity.
Here are a few very common and useful phrases with 'malo':
- Malo počakaj! (Wait a little! / Just a moment!)
- Malo poglej. (Take a little look. / Just look.)
- Imam malo časa. (I have little time.)
- Samo malo. (Just a little. / Just a moment.)
- Malo sem utrujen. (I'm a little tired.)
Learning these will help you integrate 'malo' naturally into your conversations.
Teste-se 48 perguntas
Jaz govorim slovensko samo ___. (I speak Slovenian only ___.)
The word 'malo' means 'a little' or 'to a small extent', which fits the context of speaking Slovenian only a little.
Prosim, dajte mi ___ vode. (Please, give me ___ water.)
In this context, 'malo' means 'a little', implying a small amount of water.
On je ___ utrujen. (He is ___ tired.)
Using 'malo' here means 'a little', indicating he is slightly tired.
Imam ___ časa za branje. (I have ___ time for reading.)
'Malo časa' means 'a little time', suggesting limited time for reading.
Ona razume angleško ___. (She understands English ___.)
To say she understands English 'a little', 'malo' is the correct choice.
Otrok je jedel samo ___ juhe. (The child ate only ___ soup.)
'Malo juhe' means 'a little soup', indicating a small portion.
The word order is 'Subject verb little Slovenian'. 'Jaz' (I) is the subject, 'govorim' (speak) is the verb, 'malo' (a little) modifies 'slovensko' (Slovenian).
The order is 'I have little time'. 'Imam' (I have) is the verb, 'malo' (a little) modifies 'časa' (time).
The order is 'He sleeps a little'. 'On' (He) is the subject, 'spi' (sleeps) is the verb, and 'malo' (a little) describes the extent of his sleep.
Jaz govorim slovensko samo ___. (I speak Slovenian only ___.)
The sentence indicates limited Slovenian speaking ability, so 'malo' (a little) is the correct fit. 'Veliko' means 'a lot', 'hitro' means 'fast', and 'dobro' means 'well'.
Ali lahko prosim počakate še ___? (Can you please wait ___ longer?)
'Malo' (a little) implies a short waiting period, which fits the context of asking someone to wait 'a little longer'. 'Dolgo' means 'long', 'vedno' means 'always', and 'kmalu' means 'soon'.
Potrebujem samo ___ pomoči. (I only need ___ help.)
To express needing 'a little' help, 'malo' is the appropriate word. 'Veliko' means 'a lot', 'nobene' means 'no/none', and 'vsako' means 'every'.
V tem mestu je ___ turističnih znamenitosti. (There are ___ tourist attractions in this city.)
If the sentence implies a limited number of attractions, 'malo' (a few/little) is the best choice. 'Mnogo' and 'veliko' mean 'many/a lot', and 'nekaj' means 'some'.
Danes imam ___ časa. (Today I have ___ time.)
To express having 'a little' time, 'malo' is used. 'Veliko' means 'a lot', 'ves' means 'all', and 'nobenega' means 'no/none'.
Prosim, dodajte še ___ soli. (Please add ___ salt.)
When asking to add 'a little' of an ingredient, 'malo' is the correct word. 'Veliko' means 'a lot', 'vso' means 'all', and 'nič' means 'nothing'.
The speaker is asking if you have a little time today.
The speaker is pointing out a small amount of snow.
Someone is asking for a small amount of salt to be added.
Read this aloud:
Imam malo dela.
Focus: malo
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Potrebujem samo malo pomoči.
Focus: pomoči
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Počakaj malo.
Focus: počakaj
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Do you have a little time to talk?
I need a little help with this task.
Please wait just a little.
Read this aloud:
Imam samo malo denarja pri sebi.
Focus: MAH-low
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Malo sem utrujen po dolgem dnevu.
Focus: mah-low oo-TROO-yen
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Malo dežja danes ne bo škodilo.
Focus: mah-low DEH-zhah
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'I am a little tired.' The word 'malo' functions as an adverb modifying 'utrujen' (tired).
This sentence translates to 'Do you have a little time for me?' 'Malo' here quantifies 'časa' (time).
This means 'Tell me a little more about it.' 'Malo' is used to soften 'več' (more).
Po dolgem in napornem potovanju so si želeli le ___ počitek.
The sentence implies a desire for a small amount of rest after a long journey, making 'malo' (a little) the appropriate choice.
Čeprav je bil dan deževen, so imeli ___ sreče z vremenom med pohodom.
'Malo' (a little) fits because it suggests they had a small amount of luck with the weather, despite the rainy day.
Za popolno razumevanje teme mu je še ___ manjkalo.
This sentence indicates that only a small amount was missing for full understanding, so 'malo' is correct.
Kljub temu, da so bili pripravljeni na najslabše, so imeli na koncu ___ skrbi.
'Malo' (a little) implies they ended up having only a small amount of worries, which contrasts with being prepared for the worst.
Na sestanku je bilo ___ govora o prihodnjih načrtih, večinoma so se osredotočali na preteklost.
The context suggests that there was only a small amount of discussion about future plans, making 'malo' the correct choice.
Po več urah reševanja zapletene uganke mu je še ___ ostalo do rešitve.
After hours of solving a complex puzzle, 'malo' (a little) indicates that only a small part was left until the solution.
This sentence structure reflects the complex hypothetical condition and its unexpected resolution due to minimal involvement.
The phrase 'malo poudarka' (little emphasis) correctly follows the preposition 'le' (only) to indicate a reduced focus.
The correct order emphasizes that even a small number of encouraging words were instrumental in overcoming a difficult period.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
'Malo' is an essential adverb for expressing small quantities or degrees in Slovenian.
- expresses small quantity
- indicates a little bit
- used for degree or amount
