A1 Expression Formal

Imate prav

You are right

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite, formal way to tell someone 'You are right' in Slovenian using the verb 'to have'.

  • Means: You are correct/right (literally: 'You have right').
  • Used in: Formal meetings, talking to elders, or addressing a group.
  • Don't confuse: Never say 'Vi ste prav' (You are right) — it's grammatically incorrect.
👤 + ✅ + 🗣️ = Imate prav

Explanation at your level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'Imate prav' means 'You are right'. You use it when you want to be polite to a teacher or a stranger. It uses the verb 'imeti' (to have). Remember: don't use 'biti' (to be). Just memorize it as a fixed block for polite agreement.
At A2, you should understand the difference between 'Imate prav' (formal/plural) and 'Imaš prav' (informal). You can now conjugate the verb 'imeti' for other people, like 'On ima prav' (He is right). You also learn to negate it by saying 'Nimate prav' when you disagree politely.
By B1, you can use this phrase in more complex sentences. You might say 'Mislim, da imate prav' (I think you are right) to sound less direct. You understand that 'prav' is an adverbial form here and can distinguish it from 'pravica' (a right). You start using it in work emails and formal discussions.
At B2, you use variations like 'Prav imate' for emphasis or 'Verjetno imate prav' to express slight doubt. You are comfortable with the dual form 'Imata prav' when speaking to two people. You recognize the nuance between agreeing with a person ('Imate prav') and agreeing with a fact ('To je res').
At C1, you analyze the etymological link between 'prav', 'pravilno', and 'pravica'. You use the phrase rhetorically in debates. You understand the pragmatic implications of choosing 'Imate prav' over 'Se strinjam' to shift the focus of the conversation toward the interlocutor's expertise rather than your own opinion.
At C2, you master the subtle sociolinguistic cues. You might use 'Imate prav' ironically or to concede a point in a high-level legal or philosophical argument. You understand how the phrase functions in historical Slovenian literature to establish power dynamics between characters using vikanje/tikanje shifts.

Significado

Used to acknowledge someone's correct statement.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Slovenians are generally reserved. Using 'Imate prav' is a way to show you are a 'pridna' (diligent/good) person who respects social hierarchy. The 'To Have Right' construction is a hallmark of the 'Standard Average European' linguistic area, showing Slovenia's ties to its neighbors. In Slovenia, 'Vikanje' (using the plural) is so important that there is a specific verb for it: 'vikati'. 'Imate prav' is the quintessential 'vikanje' phrase.

💡

The 'V' Rule

In the word 'prav', the 'v' is not a 'v' like in 'victory'. It sounds like a 'w'. Pronounce it like 'prow'.

⚠️

Don't use 'biti'

Never say 'Vi ste prav'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers. Stick to 'Imate'.

Significado

Used to acknowledge someone's correct statement.

💡

The 'V' Rule

In the word 'prav', the 'v' is not a 'v' like in 'victory'. It sounds like a 'w'. Pronounce it like 'prow'.

⚠️

Don't use 'biti'

Never say 'Vi ste prav'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers. Stick to 'Imate'.

🎯

The Dual Power

If you are talking to a couple, say 'Imata prav'. They will be incredibly impressed by your grammar skills!

Teste-se

How do you say 'You are right' to your teacher?

Gospod učitelj, _______ prav.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: imate

You must use the formal 'imate' for a teacher.

Complete the sentence with the correct verb for 'to have'.

Vi ______ prav, Ljubljana je lepa.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: imate

The subject 'Vi' requires the verb form 'imate'.

Match the phrase to the person you are talking to.

1. Best friend, 2. Two strangers, 3. Your grandmother

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: 1-b, 2-a, 3-c

Friends get 'tikanje', two people get dual 'imata', and elders get 'vikanje'.

Fill in the missing response.

A: Mislim, da je danes torek. B: Ne, danes je sreda. A: Oh, _________.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: Imate prav

A is acknowledging B's correction politely.

🎉 Pontuação: /4

Recursos visuais

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Yes, it is the perfect phrase for a teacher as it is formal and respectful.

'Imate prav' agrees with the person, while 'Res je' agrees with the statement. They are often interchangeable.

In this idiom, it functions as an adverbial object, though it is related to the noun 'pravica' (right).

You use the same phrase: 'Imate prav'.

It can be direct. It's better to say 'Mislim, da nimate prav' (I think you aren't right).

It's a common feature in many European languages, viewing truth as something you possess.

No, 'pravilno' is usually used alone or with 'to je' (To je pravilno).

It sounds like a 'w', similar to the English word 'now'.

Use the dual form: 'Imata prav'.

No, it's just more emphatic. It's like saying 'You ARE right'.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

Imaš prav

similar

You (informal) are right.

🔄

Res je

synonym

It is true.

🔄

Se strinjam

synonym

I agree.

🔗

Pravilno

specialized form

Correct.

🔗

Nimate prav

contrast

You are not right.

Onde usar

👨‍⚕️

At the Doctor's

Zdravnik: Morate piti več vode.

Vi: Imate prav, gospod doktor.

formal
💼

Job Interview

Intervjuvalec: Ta projekt zahteva veliko časa.

Vi: Imate prav, vendar sem pripravljen na delo.

formal
🍻

With a Group of Friends

Marko: Pica v tej restavraciji je najboljša.

Vi: Prijatelji, imate prav! Res je odlična.

informal
🛒

In a Shop

Prodajalec: Ta čevlji so vam malo preveliki.

Vi: Imate prav. Ali imate manjšo številko?

neutral
🗺️

Asking for Directions

Gospa: Trg republike je v tisti smeri.

Vi: Imate prav, vidim spomenik. Hvala!

formal
🏫

Classroom

Učitelj: Slovenščina ima šest sklonov.

Vi: Imate prav, to je zelo težko!

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Mate' (friend) who is always right. 'I-mate' = 'I agree, mate' (but used formally!).

Visual Association

Imagine a judge in a Slovenian court holding a 'straight' (prav) wooden ruler. He points it at you and says 'Imate prav' because your evidence is straight.

Rhyme

Ko se strinjate, 'Imate prav' recite, in se ne prepirajte!

Story

You are lost in the Julian Alps. An old mountain guide points to a peak and says it's Triglav. You look at your map, see he is correct, and say 'Imate prav'. He smiles and gives you a piece of potica.

Word Web

imetipravpravicapravilnopravilopopolnomanimateres

Desafio

Go to a Slovenian subreddit or social media page and find a polite comment you agree with. Reply with 'Imate prav!'

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Usted tiene razón

Spanish uses a noun 'razón', while Slovenian 'prav' acts more like an adverb.

German high

Sie haben Recht

In German, 'Recht' is a capitalized noun; in Slovenian, 'prav' is lowercase.

French high

Vous avez raison

French uses 'reason' instead of 'rightness'.

Japanese low

Sono tōri desu (その通りです)

Japanese focuses on the statement being 'on the path' rather than the person 'having' a right.

Arabic moderate

Ma'aka haq (معك حق)

Arabic doesn't use a verb like 'to have'; it uses the preposition 'with'.

Chinese low

Nǐ shuō de duì (你说得对)

Chinese evaluates the speech act, while Slovenian evaluates the person's possession of truth.

Korean low

Maja-yo (맞아요)

Korean is a single verb, whereas Slovenian is a verb-object phrase.

Portuguese high

Você tem razão

The formality levels for 'Você' vary by region (Brazil vs Portugal), similar to Slovenian 'Vi'.

Easily Confused

Imate prav vs Prav imate

Learners don't know if the order matters.

It's the same meaning, but 'Prav imate' is more emphatic.

Imate prav vs Na desni

English 'right' means both 'correct' and 'direction'.

Use 'prav' for correctness and 'desno' for directions.

Perguntas frequentes (10)

Yes, it is the perfect phrase for a teacher as it is formal and respectful.

'Imate prav' agrees with the person, while 'Res je' agrees with the statement. They are often interchangeable.

In this idiom, it functions as an adverbial object, though it is related to the noun 'pravica' (right).

You use the same phrase: 'Imate prav'.

It can be direct. It's better to say 'Mislim, da nimate prav' (I think you aren't right).

It's a common feature in many European languages, viewing truth as something you possess.

No, 'pravilno' is usually used alone or with 'to je' (To je pravilno).

It sounds like a 'w', similar to the English word 'now'.

Use the dual form: 'Imata prav'.

No, it's just more emphatic. It's like saying 'You ARE right'.

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