At the A1 level, you focus on the most basic present tense forms of 'vedeti'. You learn that 'vem' means 'I know' and 'ne vem' means 'I don't know'. You use it to answer simple questions about facts, like the time, your name, or where something is. You also learn to recognize the second person 'veš' and 'veste' for asking questions. The focus is on short, immediate communication. You don't need to worry about complex subordinate clauses yet; simple phrases like 'Vem' or 'Ali veš?' are sufficient. You are also introduced to the idea that 'vedeti' is for facts, while 'poznati' is for people, a fundamental rule for all beginners.
At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'vedeti' to the past and future tenses. You learn to say 'Nisem vedel' (I didn't know) and 'Bom vedel' (I will know). You start connecting 'vedeti' with simple conjunctions like 'da' (that) and 'kje' (where) to form basic sentences like 'Vem, kje stanuješ' (I know where you live). You begin to distinguish 'vedeti' from 'znati' more clearly, using 'znati' for skills like speaking a language or playing a sport. You also start to use the dual forms in very specific contexts, such as talking with one friend about something you both know.
At the B1 level, you become more comfortable with 'vedeti' in various subordinate clauses. You can use it to express uncertainty or to report what others know. You start using phrases like 'Kolikor vem...' (As far as I know...) or 'Nikoli se ne ve' (You never know). Your understanding of the verb's irregularity in the present tense becomes solid, and you rarely make conjugation mistakes. You also begin to encounter 'vedeti' in more abstract contexts, such as knowing the reason for something or knowing the truth in a more complex situation. You can participate in longer conversations where 'vedeti' is used to manage information flow.
At the B2 level, you use 'vedeti' with nuance and precision. You understand the difference between 'vedeti' and 'zavedati se' (to be aware of). you can use 'vedeti' in hypothetical situations with the conditional mood ('Če bi vedel...', If I had known...). You also start to use the verb in more formal and professional contexts, such as in reports or debates. You are familiar with common idioms and fixed expressions involving 'vedeti'. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you can choose between 'vedeti' and its synonyms to convey the exact level of certainty or the nature of the knowledge you are discussing.
At the C1 level, 'vedeti' is used fluently in complex academic and literary discussions. You can discuss the philosophy of knowledge (epistemology) using this verb. You understand subtle shifts in meaning when 'vedeti' is used in the passive voice or in archaic literary forms. You can use the verb to express irony, sarcasm, or deep conviction. You are also proficient in using the dual and plural forms perfectly in all tenses, including the more rare pluperfect if needed for literary effect. You can handle 'vedeti' in fast-paced, high-level debates where information is being challenged and verified.
At the C2 level, your use of 'vedeti' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can appreciate and use the verb in its most poetic and historical forms. You understand the etymological roots of the word and how it relates to similar verbs in other Slavic languages. You can use 'vedeti' to construct intricate, multi-layered sentences that express complex intellectual or emotional states. You are also fully aware of the socio-linguistic implications of using certain registers of 'vedeti' in different regions of Slovenia or in different social classes. The verb is a fully integrated tool in your linguistic repertoire, used with effortless precision.

vedeti in 30 Seconds

  • Vedeti means to know a fact or information.
  • It is irregular in the present tense: vem, veš, ve...
  • Do not use it for people (use poznati) or skills (use znati).
  • It is often followed by 'da' (that) or 'kje' (where).

The Slovenian verb vedeti is a cornerstone of the language, primarily translating to the English 'to know' in the context of factual information, data, or specific truths. Unlike English, which uses 'know' for both facts and people, Slovenian makes a sharp distinction. Use vedeti when you possess information that can be expressed in a 'that' clause (e.g., I know that the bus is late) or in response to a factual question.

Factual Certainty
This verb is used when you have cognitive awareness of a reality. If you can say 'I know that...', you should use vedeti.
Information Retrieval
Used when asking for or providing directions, times, dates, or answers to academic questions.

Ali veš, kje je pošta? (Do you know where the post office is?)

In daily life, you will hear this word constantly. It is an irregular verb in the present tense, which makes it one of the first hurdles for learners. The forms vem, veš, ve, vemo, veste, vedo are ubiquitous. Whether you are discussing the weather, news, or your own schedule, vedeti is your tool for conveying certainty or uncertainty.

Ne vem odgovora na to vprašanje. (I do not know the answer to this question.)

The 'Da' Clause
Vedeti is almost always followed by 'da' (that), 'kje' (where), 'kdaj' (when), or other interrogative pronouns.

Culturally, Slovenians value precision in communication. Using vedeti correctly signals that you are discussing objective truth rather than subjective familiarity. In academic settings, it is the verb of choice for research and demonstrated knowledge. In casual settings, 'Ne vem' (I don't know) is perhaps the most common phrase used to defer a question or express genuine lack of information.

Vsi vedo, da je Slovenija lepa. (Everyone knows that Slovenia is beautiful.)

The grammatical structure of vedeti is unique. In the present tense, it loses the 'd' from its stem in most forms, resulting in a very short, punchy conjugation. This makes it sound distinct from other verbs ending in -eti. When constructing a sentence, you usually follow the verb with a subordinate clause introduced by a conjunction.

Conjugation Pattern
Present: vem, veš, ve, vemo, veste, vedo. Past: vedel (m), vedela (f), vedelo (n). Future: bom vedel.

Ali veš, koliko je ura? (Do you know what time it is?)

When using vedeti with a direct object, the object is usually in the accusative case, but it is much more common to use it with a clause. For example, instead of saying 'I know the secret,' a Slovenian might say 'I know what the secret is' (Vem, kakšna je skrivnost) or simply use 'poznati' if the secret is a complex matter they are familiar with. However, for simple facts like names or numbers, vedeti is standard.

Nisem vedel, da prideš danes. (I didn't know you were coming today.)

Questions and Inquiries
In questions, 'veš' (singular informal) and 'veste' (plural/formal) are the most frequent. They act as bridges to the actual question.

In the dual form, which is unique to Slovenian, we say veva (we two know), vesta (you two know), and vesta (they two know). This level of specificity is vital when talking to a partner or a friend about shared information. For instance, 'Midva veva najino skrivnost' (The two of us know our secret) emphasizes the bond of shared knowledge.

Bova vedela več po sestanku. (We two will know more after the meeting.)

You will encounter vedeti in every corner of Slovenian life. In the morning, you might hear a news anchor say, 'Kot že vemo...' (As we already know...). In a classroom, a teacher will ask, 'Kdo ve odgovor?' (Who knows the answer?). At a train station, you might ask a stranger, 'Ali morda veste, s katerega tira odpelje vlak?' (Do you perhaps know which track the train leaves from?).

Daily Gossip
'A veš kaj?' (Do you know what?) is the standard opening for a piece of news or a story among friends.
Professional Settings
In business, 'Moramo vedeti' (We need to know) is used when discussing logistics, budgets, or deadlines.

Samo bog ve, kaj se bo zgodilo. (Only God knows what will happen.)

The word also appears in many philosophical and literary contexts. Prešeren, the national poet, and Cankar, the great writer, used vedeti to explore the depths of human consciousness and social awareness. It is a word that carries weight; to 'know' in Slovenian literature often implies a burden of truth or a realization of one's circumstances.

Tega nihče ne ve zagotovo. (Nobody knows that for sure.)

Public Announcements
Official signs or broadcasts might use 'Dobro je vedeti' (It is good to know) to introduce helpful tips or regulations.

In the digital age, 'Vem' is also used in text messaging as a quick confirmation. If a friend sends a reminder about a meeting, a simple 'Vem' suffices. It is efficient, direct, and leaves no room for ambiguity, reflecting the pragmatic nature of modern Slovenian communication.

Ali veš, da je danes praznik? (Do you know that today is a holiday?)

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is confusing vedeti with poznati. Because English uses 'know' for both, learners often say 'Vem tvojega brata' (I know your brother), which sounds very strange to a Slovenian. It translates literally to 'I have factual information about your brother's existence,' but it doesn't mean you are acquainted with him. For people, always use poznati.

The 'Znati' Confusion
Another pitfall is 'znati'. Use 'znati' for skills (I know how to swim) and 'vedeti' for facts (I know that the water is cold).

Napačno: Vem igrati klavir. (Incorrect: I know facts about playing piano.) Pravilno: Znam igrati klavir.

Conjugation errors are also common. Learners often try to conjugate it like a regular -eti verb, producing 'vedem' instead of the correct vem. Remembering that vedeti is irregular is crucial. Also, pay attention to the stress; it is on the first syllable in the infinitive but shifts in various forms.

Napačno: Ali veš Marijo? (Incorrect: Do you know Marija?) Pravilno: Ali poznaš Marijo?

Negation Placement
In Slovenian, the negation 'ne' always comes before the verb. 'Ne vem' is the only correct order. Putting it after or omitting it in negative contexts is a common beginner error.

Finally, watch out for the dual forms. If you are speaking to two people, you must use vesta, not veste. Using the plural when the dual is required is a subtle mistake that marks you as a non-native speaker, though it is usually understood. Practicing the dual forms of common verbs like vedeti will greatly improve your fluency and accuracy.

Napačno: Onadva vedo. (Incorrect: They two know.) Pravilno: Onadva vesta.

While vedeti is the most common word for knowing, several other verbs cover related ground. Understanding the nuances between them is key to reaching higher CEFR levels. The main competitors are poznati and znati, but there are also more specific terms like razumeti (to understand) and zavedati se (to be aware of).

Poznati vs. Vedeti
Poznati = Familiarity (people, places, books). Vedeti = Information (facts, data, clauses).
Znati vs. Vedeti
Znati = Skills/Ability (languages, instruments, math). Vedeti = Knowledge of existence/truth.

Poznam to pesem, a ne vem, kdo jo poje. (I know/am familiar with this song, but I don't know/have the fact of who sings it.)

For more formal or deep knowledge, you might use uvideti (to realize/see into) or spoznati (to get to know/recognize). If you want to say you 'know' something because you've learned it by heart, you still use znati (e.g., Znam pesem na pamet). Vedeti remains the neutral, default choice for information processing.

Ali se zavedaš, kaj si storil? (Do you realize/know what you have done?)

Razumeti
Use this when you 'know' something because you grasp the logic or the meaning, not just the fact.

Finally, in slang or very informal speech, you might hear 'štekaš' (from German 'stecken') which means 'do you get it?' or 'do you know what I mean?'. While vedeti is always safe, these alternatives allow you to express the specific *way* in which you know something, adding color and precision to your Slovenian.

Tega ne razumem, čeprav vem, da je res. (I don't understand this, even though I know it is true.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Ali ste morda seznanjeni s temi dejstvi?"

Neutral

"Ali veste, kje je postaja?"

Informal

"A veš, kaj se je zgodilo?"

Child friendly

"Ali veš, kje je tvoj medvedek?"

Slang

"Štekaš, kaj ti pravim?"

Fun Fact

It is a cognate of the English word 'wit' and the Sanskrit 'Veda'. The connection between seeing and knowing is common in Indo-European languages.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈʋeːdɛti/
US /ˈveɪdɛti/
Primary stress on the first syllable: VÉ-de-ti.
Rhymes With
gledeti sedeti bledeti medeti hrepeneti živeti praznovati (slight) leteti
Common Errors
  • Stressing the second syllable (ve-DE-ti).
  • Pronouncing the present tense 'vem' as 'vedem'.
  • Mixing up the long and short 'e' sounds.
  • Neglecting the dual endings in 'vesta'.
  • Pronouncing 'v' as 'w'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize, though the irregular forms in text can be tricky at first.

Writing 3/5

Requires memorizing the irregular present tense stem changes.

Speaking 4/5

Hard because you have to constantly choose between vedeti, poznati, and znati in real-time.

Listening 2/5

Very common, so you will hear it enough to recognize it quickly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

jaz ti biti da kaj

Learn Next

poznati znati povedati vprašati razumeti

Advanced

zavedati se uvideti spoznati dojeti slutiti

Grammar to Know

Irregular Present Tense

Vem (I know) instead of 'vedem'.

Subordinate Clauses with 'da'

Vem, da si doma.

Negation with 'ne'

Ne vem (I don't know).

Dual Verb Endings

Midva veva (We two know).

The Accusative Case for simple objects

Vem odgovor (I know the answer).

Examples by Level

1

Vem.

I know.

First person singular present tense.

2

Ne vem.

I don't know.

Negative form with 'ne' before the verb.

3

Ali veš?

Do you know?

Second person singular present tense, informal.

4

Veste, kje je pošta?

Do you know where the post office is?

Second person plural present tense, formal.

5

On ve.

He knows.

Third person singular present tense.

6

Vemo odgovor.

We know the answer.

First person plural present tense.

7

Ali veš njegovo ime?

Do you know his name?

Using 'vedeti' for a simple fact like a name.

8

Ona ve vse.

She knows everything.

Third person singular with the object 'vse'.

1

Včeraj nisem vedel.

I didn't know yesterday.

Past tense negative, masculine singular.

2

Ali si vedela, da pride?

Did you know that he is coming?

Past tense, feminine singular with a 'da' clause.

3

Jutri bomo vedeli več.

Tomorrow we will know more.

Future tense, masculine plural.

4

Vem, kje je tvoj avto.

I know where your car is.

Present tense with 'kje' (where) clause.

5

Onadva vesta resnico.

The two of them know the truth.

Third person dual present tense.

6

Nismo vedeli za zabavo.

We didn't know about the party.

Past tense plural, negative.

7

Ali veš, kdaj se začne?

Do you know when it starts?

Present tense with 'kdaj' (when) clause.

8

Ona bo vedela, kaj storiti.

She will know what to do.

Future tense, feminine singular.

1

Kolikor vem, je trgovina zaprta.

As far as I know, the shop is closed.

Common phrase 'kolikor vem'.

2

Nikoli se ne ve, kaj prinese čas.

You never know what time brings.

Impersonal use 'se ne ve'.

3

Če bi vedel, bi ti povedal.

If I knew, I would tell you.

Conditional mood.

4

Vem, da se trudiš.

I know that you are trying.

Expressing awareness of an ongoing action.

5

Nihče ne ve, kje se skriva.

Nobody knows where he is hiding.

Negative subject 'nihče' with negative verb.

6

Dobro je vedeti, kje so izhodi.

It is good to know where the exits are.

Infinitive used as part of a phrase.

7

Vesta, o čem govorim?

Do you two know what I am talking about?

Second person dual present tense.

8

Tega nisem mogel vedeti.

I couldn't have known that.

Modal verb 'moči' with infinitive 'vedeti'.

1

Zavedati se moramo vseh tveganj.

We must be aware of all risks.

Using the reflexive related verb 'zavedati se'.

2

Kdo bi si mislil, da on to ve!

Who would have thought that he knows that!

Exclamatory sentence with a 'da' clause.

3

Vem za tvoje načrte.

I know about your plans.

Using 'za' (about/for) with 'vedeti'.

4

Veste, to ni tako preprosto.

You know, it's not that simple.

Using 'veste' as a conversational filler.

5

Nisem vedel, ali naj se smejem ali jočem.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Using 'ali... ali' (whether... or) with 'vedeti'.

6

Vedeli so, da so na pravi poti.

They knew they were on the right track.

Past tense third person plural.

7

Vem, da me slišiš.

I know that you hear me.

Expressing certainty about sensory perception.

8

On ve, kako priti do tja.

He knows how to get there.

Using 'kako' (how) clause.

1

Vem, kam pes taco moli.

I know where the dog is sticking its paw (I know what's going on).

Slovenian idiom using 'vedeti'.

2

Treba je vedeti, kje so meje.

One needs to know where the boundaries are.

Impersonal 'treba je' with infinitive.

3

Vem, da je to težko sprejeti.

I know that this is hard to accept.

Expressing empathy through factual knowledge.

4

Nikoli ne veš, kdaj te sreča obišče.

You never know when luck will visit you.

Philosophical use of second person singular.

5

Vem, da nisem storil nič narobe.

I know that I did nothing wrong.

Assertion of innocence using 'vedeti'.

6

Vesta, da je to njuna zadnja priložnost.

They two know that this is their last chance.

Dual form in a high-stakes context.

7

Vem, da se zdi nemogoče, a je res.

I know it seems impossible, but it's true.

Contrastive sentence structure.

8

Ali sploh veš, kaj govoriš?

Do you even know what you're saying?

Using 'sploh' (at all) for emphasis.

1

Vem, da nič ne vem.

I know that I know nothing.

The classic Socratic paradox in Slovenian.

2

Vem, da je resnica pogosto boleča.

I know that the truth is often painful.

Abstract philosophical statement.

3

Vem, da je usoda v naših rokah.

I know that fate is in our hands.

High-register metaphorical use.

4

Vem, da bo ta dan ostal v spominu.

I know that this day will remain in memory.

Future certainty in a literary context.

5

Vem, da se svet nenehno spreminja.

I know that the world is constantly changing.

Universal truth expression.

6

Vesta, da sta povezana za vedno.

They two know that they are connected forever.

Dual form in a poetic context.

7

Vem, da je vsak začetek težak.

I know that every beginning is hard.

Proverbial knowledge.

8

Vem, da je ljubezen močnejša od vsega.

I know that love is stronger than everything.

Absolute conviction in a literary register.

Common Collocations

vedeti resnico
vedeti odgovor
dobro vedeti
natančno vedeti
vnaprej vedeti
zagotovo vedeti
vedeti za koga
vedeti vse
komaj vedeti
morati vedeti

Common Phrases

Ne vem.

— I don't know. The most basic expression of ignorance.

Kje je ključ? - Ne vem.

Kdo ve?

— Who knows? Used to express that something is uncertain.

Kdaj bo konec? - Kdo ve?

Ali veš kaj?

— Do you know what? Used to introduce a story or news.

Ali veš kaj? Dobil sem službo!

Vem, da...

— I know that... Used to state a fact.

Vem, da si utrujen.

Nikoli se ne ve.

— You never know. Used for unpredictable situations.

Morda bo deževalo, nikoli se ne ve.

Vem za to.

— I know about that. Used for awareness of a situation.

Slišal sem novico, vem za to.

Bog ve.

— God knows. Used when something is completely unknown.

Bog ve, kje je zdaj.

Saj veš.

— You know (how it is). Used for shared understanding.

Težko je, saj veš.

Veste kaj...

— You know what... Used formally to suggest something.

Veste kaj, raje pojdimo peš.

Vem, kje me čevelj žuli.

— I know where the shoe pinches. I know what my problem is.

Brez skrbi, vem, kje me čevelj žuli.

Often Confused With

vedeti vs poznati

Use 'poznati' for people, places, and general familiarity.

vedeti vs znati

Use 'znati' for skills, languages, and things you've learned to do.

vedeti vs razumeti

Use 'razumeti' for comprehension of meaning or logic.

Idioms & Expressions

"vedeti, kam pes taco moli"

— To know what's really going on behind the scenes.

Nihče me ne bo opeharil, vem, kam pes taco moli.

informal
"vedeti, koliko je ura"

— To realize the seriousness of a situation.

Ko je videl šefa, je vedel, koliko je ura.

neutral
"ne vedeti, kje se te glava drži"

— To be extremely busy or confused.

Danes imam toliko dela, da ne vem, kje se me glava drži.

informal
"vedeti vse do zadnje pike"

— To know something perfectly, down to the last detail.

Lekcijo ve vse do zadnje pike.

neutral
"ne vedeti ne kod ne kam"

— To be completely lost or without a plan.

Po nesreči niso vedeli ne kod ne kam.

literary
"vedeti za vsako figo"

— To know every little insignificant detail.

Soseda mora vedeti za vsako figo v naši hiši.

informal
"vedeti kot iz rokava"

— To know something instantly and effortlessly.

Odgovore je vedel kot iz rokava.

informal
"sam bog ve"

— Only God knows (total uncertainty).

Sam bog ve, kdaj se bo vrnil.

neutral
"vedeti, pri čem si"

— To know where you stand or what the situation is.

Povej mi resnico, da bom vedel, pri čem sem.

neutral
"ne vedeti za desno in levo"

— To be totally disoriented or overwhelmed.

Od utrujenosti ni vedel za desno in levo.

informal

Easily Confused

vedeti vs poznati

Both translate to 'know' in English.

Poznati is for people and familiarity. Vedeti is for facts and information.

Poznam Marka, a ne vem, kje živi.

vedeti vs znati

Both translate to 'know' in English.

Znati is for skills (how to). Vedeti is for facts (that something is).

Znam plavati, a ne vem, kako globoka je voda.

vedeti vs izvedeti

They share the same root.

Vedeti is to have the knowledge. Izvedeti is the process of getting the knowledge (to find out).

Danes sem izvedel novico, zdaj jo vem.

vedeti vs povedati

Related root and similar context.

Vedeti is to know. Povedati is to tell or say the information.

Vem resnico, a je ne bom povedal.

vedeti vs zavedati se

Both deal with knowing.

Zavedati se is reflexive and means 'to be aware' or 'to realize'.

Zavedam se, da je pozno.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Vem + [Noun Accusative]

Vem odgovor.

A1

Ali veš, [Question Word]...?

Ali veš, kje je?

A2

Nisem vedel, da...

Nisem vedel, da si tu.

B1

Kolikor vem, ...

Kolikor vem, je res.

B1

Če bi vedel, ...

Če bi vedel, ne bi prišel.

B2

Vem za [something]...

Vem za tvoj problem.

C1

Treba je vedeti, da...

Treba je vedeti, da nismo sami.

C2

Vem, da nič ne vem.

Vem, da nič ne vem.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high. One of the top 50 most used verbs in Slovenian.

Common Mistakes
  • Vem tvojo mamo. Poznam tvojo mamo.

    You cannot use 'vedeti' for people. You must use 'poznati'.

  • Vem plavati. Znam plavati.

    Use 'znati' for skills and abilities, not 'vedeti'.

  • Jaz vedem odgovor. Jaz vem odgovor.

    'Vedeti' is irregular; the stem changes from 'ved-' to 've-' in the present tense.

  • Vem slovensko. Znam slovensko.

    Knowing a language is considered a skill, so 'znati' is required.

  • Ne vem da si tu. Ne vem, da si tu.

    Missing the mandatory comma before the subordinate clause 'da'.

Tips

Irregular Present

Memorize 'vem, veš, ve...' as a chant. It's one of the few truly irregular present tense verbs in Slovenian.

Fact vs. Person

If you can't follow 'know' with 'that', you probably need 'poznati' instead of 'vedeti'.

Find Out

Learn 'izvedeti' alongside 'vedeti'. It's the perfective partner for when you acquire information.

The 'A veš' Opener

Start your stories with 'A veš kaj?' to sound more like a native speaker.

Honesty

Slovenians appreciate a direct 'Ne vem' more than a vague or incorrect answer.

Comma Rule

In Slovenian, you almost always put a comma before 'da', 'kje', 'kdaj', etc., when they follow 'vedeti'.

Shortened Forms

In casual speech, 'vedo' (they know) can sometimes sound very clipped. Listen for the 've-' start.

Formal Reports

In formal writing, use phrases like 'kot je znano' (as is known) or 'seznanjeni smo' instead of just 'vemo'.

Socrates

Remember the quote 'Vem, da nič ne vem' to practice the 'da' clause structure.

Stress

Keep the stress on the 've' throughout the present tense conjugation.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'V' in Vedeti as a 'View'. When you view a fact, you Vedeti it. 'Vem' sounds like 'I am' (aware).

Visual Association

Imagine a giant book labeled 'FACTS' with the word VEDETI written on the cover in glowing letters.

Word Web

Informacija Dejstvo Resnica Vem Ne vem Ali veš? Znanje Veda

Challenge

Try to use 'Ne vem' at least three times today when someone asks you something you're not sure about. Then try to find the answer and say 'Zdaj vem!' (Now I know!).

Word Origin

From Proto-Slavic *věděti, which comes from Proto-Indo-European *weid- (to see, to know).

Original meaning: Originally meant 'to have seen', thus 'to know'.

Slavic branch of Indo-European languages.

Cultural Context

Be careful when saying 'Vem, vem' (I know, I know) repeatedly to someone; it can sound dismissive or impatient, much like in English.

English speakers often struggle with the fact/person distinction. In English, 'I know London' is fine, but in Slovenian, you must choose between knowing facts about it (vedeti) or being familiar with it (poznati).

Socrates: 'Vem, da nič ne vem.' (I know that I know nothing.) France Prešeren's poems often deal with the pain of knowing the truth. Slovenian TV show 'Kdo ve?' (Who Knows?) is a popular quiz format.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Asking for directions

  • Ali veste, kje je...?
  • Ne vem poti.
  • Ali veš, kateri avtobus...?
  • Vem, kje to je.

In the classroom

  • Kdo ve odgovor?
  • Vem rešitev.
  • Nisem vedel vprašanja.
  • Morate vedeti to definicijo.

Socializing/Gossip

  • Ali veš, kaj je novega?
  • Vsi že vedo.
  • Nihče ne sme vedeti.
  • Vem za njuno skrivnost.

Professional/Business

  • Moramo vedeti rok.
  • Ali veste za sestanek?
  • Vem, da je to nujno.
  • Izvedeti moramo več informacij.

Daily problem solving

  • Ne vem, kaj naj storim.
  • Ali veš, kje so ključi?
  • Vem, kako to popraviti.
  • Nisem vedel, da je pokvarjeno.

Conversation Starters

"Ali veš, kakšno bo vreme jutri?"

"Ali morda veste, kje je najboljša kava v mestu?"

"Ali veš, da so odprli novo restavracijo?"

"Ali veš, kateri dan je danes?"

"Ali veste, kdaj se zapre trgovina?"

Journal Prompts

Zapiši tri stvari, ki jih danes zagotovo veš.

Opiši situacijo, ko nisi vedel odgovora na pomembno vprašanje.

Kaj bi rad vedel o svoji prihodnosti?

Zapiši nekaj, kar si izvedel šele pred kratkim.

Ali je bolje vedeti vse ali živeti v nevednosti? Zakaj?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that is incorrect. You should say 'Poznam tvojega brata'. 'Vedeti' is only for facts, not people.

It is irregular: vem, veš, ve, vemo, veste, vedo. Note that the 'd' disappears in the present tense.

No, it is a standard and polite way to say you don't have the information. You can add 'žal' (unfortunately) to be extra polite: 'Žal ne vem'.

Use 'znati' for skills like 'Znam slovensko' (I know Slovenian). Use 'vedeti' for facts like 'Vem, da je Slovenija v Evropi'.

You use the future tense: 'Bom vedel' (masculine) or 'Bom vedela' (feminine).

Usually no. Use 'poznati' for familiarity with a city. However, you can use 'vedeti' for a specific fact about a place, like 'Vem, kje je Ljubljana'.

It means 'Who knows?'. It's used to express uncertainty or that something is a mystery.

Yes. In the present tense, it is: veva (we two), vesta (you two), vesta (they two).

Yes, but it's usually simple facts like 'Vem odgovor' (I know the answer) or 'Vem resnico' (I know the truth).

It follows the regular pattern for -eti verbs: vedel (m), vedela (f), vedelo (n), vedeli (m. pl).

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write 'I know where the school is' in Slovenian.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write 'We didn't know the answer' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'Do you (formal) know what time it is?' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'I will know more tomorrow' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'She knows that he is coming' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'They (plural) know everything' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'If I knew, I would tell you' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'As far as I know, he is at home' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'You never know' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'The two of us know our secret' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'I don't know his name' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'Do you know where they live?' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'Nobody knows where he is' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'It is good to know the truth' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'I know about your plans' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'We must know the results' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'Who knows where the key is?' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'I didn't know you were so fast' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'Everyone knows that Slovenia is small' in Slovenian.

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writing

Write 'I know that I know nothing' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'I don't know' in Slovenian.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Ask a friend 'Do you know?' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Ask politely 'Do you (plural/formal) know?' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'We know the answer' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'I didn't know that' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'They know where we are' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'Who knows?' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'I will know tomorrow' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'Do you know what?' (to a friend) in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'I know that you are busy' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'The two of us know' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'Nobody knows' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'I know everything' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'Do you know her name?' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'As far as I know' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'You know how it is' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'I know for sure' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'I didn't know you were here' (feminine speaker) in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'They two know the truth' in Slovenian.

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speaking

Say 'I know what you mean' in Slovenian.

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listening

Identify the verb: 'Vem, da je pozno.'

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listening

Identify the tense: 'Nismo vedeli.'

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listening

Identify the subject: 'Vesta, kje sta?'

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listening

Identify the meaning: 'Ne vem.'

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listening

Identify the conjunction: 'Vem, kje je.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the verb form: 'Veste?'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the object: 'Vem odgovor.'

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listening

Identify the tense: 'Bova vedela.'

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listening

Identify the speaker's gender: 'Nisem vedela.'

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listening

Identify the phrase: 'Nikoli se ne ve.'

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listening

Identify the verb in: 'Kdo ve odgovor?'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the subject: 'Vemo vse.'

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listening

Identify the negative part: 'Nihče ne ve.'

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listening

Identify the meaning: 'Vem, da si tu.'

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listening

Identify the tense: 'Vedeli so.'

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/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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