When talking about size in Slovenian, you'll often encounter velik. It's a fundamental adjective meaning "big" or "large." Just like in English, it's used to describe the physical dimensions of objects, places, or even abstract concepts like a "big problem."
However, Slovenian adjectives change their endings depending on the gender, number, and case of the noun they describe. This is called declension. So, while velik is the masculine singular form, you'll see variations like velika (feminine singular), veliko (neuter singular), veliki (masculine plural), and so on. Mastering these changes is key to speaking Slovenian accurately.
When using the adjective "velik" (big/large) in Slovenian, it's crucial to pay attention to gender, number, and case agreement. Slovenian has three genders (masculine, feminine, neuter), two numbers (singular, plural), and six cases (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, locative, instrumental). The ending of "velik" will change to match the noun it describes. For example, you would say "velik avto" (a big car - masculine singular nominative), but "velika hiša" (a big house - feminine singular nominative), and "veliko drevo" (a big tree - neuter singular nominative). In the plural, it would be "veliki avti," "velike hiše," and "velika drevesa." Mastering this agreement is key to speaking Slovenian accurately.
velik em 30 segundos
- Common A1 adjective
- Means 'big' or 'large'
- Essential for describing size
§ What 'velik' means
- Definition
- The Slovenian word 'velik' means 'big' or 'large' in English. It's an adjective, so it describes nouns.
When you want to talk about something being big or large in Slovenian, 'velik' is the word you'll use. Like many adjectives in Slovenian, it changes its ending depending on the noun it describes. This is called declension. Don't worry, we'll go through the most common uses here to make it clear.
§ How to use 'velik' in a sentence
Slovenian adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case. This means the ending of 'velik' will change. Let's look at some basic examples in the nominative case (when the noun is the subject of the sentence).
- Masculine singular: velik (e.g., velik pes - a big dog)
- Feminine singular: velika (e.g., velika hiša - a big house)
- Neuter singular: veliko (e.g., veliko drevo - a big tree)
- Plural (all genders): veliki (e.g., veliki psi, velike hiše, velika drevesa - big dogs, big houses, big trees)
This might seem like a lot at first, but with practice, you'll get the hang of it. Focus on the singular forms first, as they are the most common for beginners.
To je velika knjiga. (This is a big book.)
Imamo velik avto. (We have a big car.)
Gledamo veliko jezero. (We are looking at a big lake.)
§ Prepositions with 'velik'
When 'velik' is used with prepositions, the case of the noun and adjective changes. For A1 level, you'll mostly encounter 'v' (in/into) and 'na' (on/at) with the locative or accusative case.
- Locative case (with 'v' or 'na' meaning 'in' or 'on'):
Živim v velikem mestu. (I live in a big city.)
Sedimo na velikem stolu. (We are sitting on a big chair.)
- Accusative case (with 'v' or 'na' meaning 'into' or 'onto', indicating movement):
Grem v veliko trgovino. (I am going into a big shop.)
Položim knjigo na veliko mizo. (I put the book onto a big table.)
The key takeaway for now is to understand that 'velik' is not a single, unchanging word. Its ending is dynamic. For beginners, focus on correctly matching the gender in the nominative case. As you progress, you'll naturally pick up more complex declensions.
§ Mistakes people make with 'velik'
Slovenian learners often make a few common mistakes when using the adjective 'velik' (big/large). These usually involve forgetting about grammatical gender and case, or confusing it with other similar words. Let's look at some of these.
§ Forgetting Gender Agreement
This is perhaps the most frequent mistake. Slovenian nouns have grammatical genders (masculine, feminine, neuter), and adjectives like 'velik' must change their ending to match the noun's gender. If you use the masculine form 'velik' with a feminine or neuter noun, it will sound incorrect.
Incorrect: To je velik hiša. (This is a big house.)
- Explanation
- 'Hiša' (house) is a feminine noun. Therefore, 'velik' must take the feminine ending '-a'.
Correct: To je velika hiša. (This is a big house.)
Incorrect: To je velik jabolko. (This is a big apple.)
- Explanation
- 'Jabolko' (apple) is a neuter noun. 'Velik' must take the neuter ending '-o'.
Correct: To je veliko jabolko. (This is a big apple.)
§ Ignoring Case Changes
Slovenian has six grammatical cases, and adjectives change their endings for each case, as well as for gender and number. This is a bit more advanced, but it's important to be aware of it early on. Using the nominative form 'velik' in a sentence where another case is required is a common error.
Incorrect: Vidim velik psa. (I see a big dog.)
- Explanation
- 'Pes' (dog) is masculine, and in this sentence, it's the direct object, requiring the accusative case. The accusative masculine singular ending for 'velik' is '-ega'.
Correct: Vidim velikega psa. (I see a big dog.)
§ Confusing with 'visok' (tall/high)
Sometimes learners use 'velik' when they actually mean 'tall' or 'high'. While 'velik' can imply height for some objects (like a big building), 'visok' is more specific for vertical dimensions.
Incorrect: On je velik moški. (He is a big man.)
- Explanation
- If you mean 'tall', 'visok' is more appropriate. 'Velik' in this context would imply 'large in build' or 'large in overall size', rather than just height.
Correct (if meaning tall): On je visok moški. (He is a tall man.)
Correct (if meaning large in build): On je velik moški. (He is a large/big man.)
§ Using 'velik' for abstract concepts
While 'velik' can be used metaphorically for abstract concepts (e.g., 'velika ljubezen' - great love), beginners sometimes overdo it or use it where a more specific adjective would be better. For example, instead of 'velik problem' (big problem), 'hud problem' (serious problem) or 'resen problem' (serious problem) might be more natural in some contexts.
Slišal sem veliko novico. (I heard big news.)
- Note
- This is not necessarily incorrect, but 'pomembna novica' (important news) or 'udarna novica' (breaking news) might be more precise depending on the context.
§ Forgetting Number Agreement
Slovenian also has singular, dual, and plural forms. 'Velik' must match the number of the noun. While 'velik' (masc. sing.) is common, forgetting the plural 'veliki' (masc. plural) or dual 'velika' (masc. dual) forms can lead to mistakes.
Incorrect: Vidim velik avtomobile. (I see big cars.)
- Explanation
- 'Avtomobile' is plural, so 'velik' needs to be in its plural form.
Correct: Vidim velike avtomobile. (I see big cars.)
How Formal Is It?
"To je velikanski dosežek. (This is a gigantic achievement.)"
"Imamo velik avto. (We have a big car.)"
"Poglej ta ogromen pes! (Look at that huge dog!)"
"Velikan živi v gradu. (The giant lives in the castle.)"
"To je bil gigantski žur! (That was a gigantic party!)"
Exemplos por nível
Slovenija je majhna država, vendar ima velik potencial za turizem in trajnostni razvoj.
Slovenia is a small country, but it has great potential for tourism and sustainable development.
Here 'velik' modifies 'potencial' (potential), which is masculine singular, so 'velik' remains in its base form.
Kljub temu, da so bili izzivi veliki, so ekipo dosegli izjemne rezultate.
Despite the fact that the challenges were great, the team achieved outstanding results.
In this sentence, 'veliki' is in the masculine plural form, agreeing with 'izzivi' (challenges).
Njena velika želja je bila, da bi nekoč postala priznana umetnica.
Her great desire was to one day become a recognized artist.
'Velika' is in the feminine singular form, agreeing with 'želja' (desire).
Za dosego tako velikega projekta bo potrebno veliko sodelovanja in trdega dela.
To achieve such a big project, a lot of cooperation and hard work will be needed.
Here 'velikega' is in the genitive masculine singular, agreeing with 'projekta' (project) because of the preposition 'za' (for) and the noun 'dosego' (achievement).
Izpostavljeni so bili velikim tveganjem zaradi nepredvidljivih tržnih razmer.
They were exposed to great risks due to unpredictable market conditions.
'Velikim' is in the dative plural form, agreeing with 'tveganjem' (risks) as it's the indirect object of 'izpostavljeni' (exposed).
Odločitev o selitvi je imela velik vpliv na celotno družino.
The decision to move had a great impact on the entire family.
Here 'velik' modifies 'vpliv' (impact), which is masculine singular, so 'velik' remains in its base form.
Imel je veliko srečo, da je preživel takšno nesrečo brez resnejših poškodb.
He had great luck to survive such an accident without more serious injuries.
'Veliko' is in the feminine singular form, agreeing with 'srečo' (luck).
Pred nami so velike priložnosti, če bomo le znali izkoristiti naš potencial.
Great opportunities lie ahead of us, if we only know how to utilize our potential.
'Velike' is in the feminine plural form, agreeing with 'priložnosti' (opportunities).
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
Imam velik avto.
I have a big car.
To je velika hiša.
This is a big house.
Na vrtu je veliko drevo.
There is a big tree in the garden.
Moj pes je zelo velik.
My dog is very big.
Bral sem veliko knjigo.
I read a big book.
To ni velik problem.
This is not a big problem.
Imamo veliko družino.
We have a big family.
Ljubljana je veliko mesto.
Ljubljana is a big city.
To je velik izziv za nas.
This is a big challenge for us.
To je velika priložnost za učenje.
This is a big opportunity for learning.
Padrões gramaticais
Padrões de frases
To je {velik} avto.
To je velik avto. (This is a big car.)
Imam {veliko} hišo.
Imam veliko hišo. (I have a big house.)
On je {velik} moški.
On je velik moški. (He is a big man.)
Ona je {velika} ženska.
Ona je velika ženska. (She is a big woman.)
Imava {veliko} mizo.
Imava veliko mizo. (We have a big table.)
Kupili smo {veliko} torto.
Kupili smo veliko torto. (We bought a big cake.)
To je {veliko} drevo.
To je veliko drevo. (This is a big tree.)
Oni imajo {velika} jabolka.
Oni imajo velika jabolka. (They have big apples.)
Como usar
Velik is a common adjective you'll use a lot. It means 'big' or 'large'. Here are some examples: * 'To je velik pes.' (This is a big dog.) * 'Imam veliko hišo.' (I have a big house.) * 'On je velik moški.' (He is a big man.) Remember that, like all Slovenian adjectives, velik changes its ending depending on the gender, number, and case of the noun it describes. For A1 level, focus on the basic forms you see in the examples.
A common mistake is forgetting to change the ending of velik to match the noun. For instance, you can't say 'velik hiša' because 'hiša' (house) is feminine. It needs to be 'velika hiša'. Another mistake beginners sometimes make is confusing it with similar-sounding words, but at A1, just focus on mastering 'velik' and its basic forms.
Teste-se 54 perguntas
Jaz imam ___ psa. (I have a big dog.)
The word 'pes' (dog) is masculine, so we use the masculine form 'velik'.
Ona ima ___ hišo. (She has a big house.)
The word 'hiša' (house) is feminine, so we use the feminine form 'velika'. However, in the accusative case (direct object), 'velika' becomes 'veliko'.
To je ___ mesto. (This is a big city.)
The word 'mesto' (city) is neuter, so we use the neuter form 'veliko'.
Oni živijo v ___ bloku. (They live in a big apartment building.)
The word 'blok' (apartment building) is masculine, and in the locative case (in a big apartment building), it takes the ending '-em'.
Radi imamo ___ avtomobile. (We like big cars.)
The word 'avtomobili' (cars) is masculine plural, and in the accusative case (direct object), it takes the ending '-e'.
Jaz sem kupil ___ jabolko. (I bought a big apple.)
The word 'jabolko' (apple) is neuter, so we use the neuter form 'veliko'.
Choose the correct sentence: The house is big.
'Velika' is the correct feminine form of 'velik' to agree with 'hiša' (house).
Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'Imam ___ psa.' (I have a big dog.)
'Velikega' is the correct masculine accusative form to agree with 'psa' (dog) in the accusative case.
Select the correct translation: 'They live in a big city.'
'Velikem' is the correct neuter locative form to agree with 'mestu' (city) in the locative case.
The sentence 'Avto je velika.' (The car is big.) is grammatically correct.
'Avto' (car) is masculine, so the adjective should be 'velik'.
The word 'velik' can change its ending depending on the gender and case of the noun it describes.
Like most Slovenian adjectives, 'velik' has different forms for masculine, feminine, and neuter genders, and changes according to grammatical case.
You would use 'veliko' to describe a feminine singular noun in the nominative case.
'Veliko' is typically used for neuter nominative/accusative singular or as an adverb meaning 'a lot'. For a feminine singular noun in the nominative, you would use 'velika'.
Your friend wants to know about your new apartment. Describe one big thing in your apartment using 'velik'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Moja kuhinja je velika. (My kitchen is big.)
You are at the market. Describe a big fruit or vegetable you see using 'velik'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jabolko je veliko. (The apple is big.)
Write a sentence comparing two things, stating that one is big using 'velik'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Njegov avto je velik, moj pa je majhen. (His car is big, but mine is small.)
Kaj ima pes?
Read this passage:
Moj pes je zelo velik. Ima dolge noge in velik rep. Rad teče po velikem vrtu. Ponoči spi v veliki hiši.
Kaj ima pes?
The passage says 'Ima dolge noge in velik rep.' (He has long legs and a big tail.)
The passage says 'Ima dolge noge in velik rep.' (He has long legs and a big tail.)
Koliko sob ima hiša?
Read this passage:
Naša hiša je velika in ima pet sob. Kuhinja je največja. Imamo tudi velik vrt, kjer raste veliko cvetja. V bližini je velik park.
Koliko sob ima hiša?
The passage states 'Naša hiša je velika in ima pet sob.' (Our house is big and has five rooms.)
The passage states 'Naša hiša je velika in ima pet sob.' (Our house is big and has five rooms.)
Kje je veliko ljudi?
Read this passage:
Mesto ima velik trg. Na trgu je veliko ljudi. V bližini trga je velika cerkev in velik muzej. Turisti radi obiščejo te velike znamenitosti.
Kje je veliko ljudi?
The passage says 'Na trgu je veliko ljudi.' (There are many people in the square.)
The passage says 'Na trgu je veliko ljudi.' (There are many people in the square.)
Otroci so se igrali na ___ dvorišču. (The children played in the ___ yard.)
The noun 'dvorišču' is in locative case, masculine singular. The adjective 'velik' must agree with the noun in case, gender, and number, thus 'velikem'.
Kupili smo ___ hišo ob jezeru. (We bought a ___ house by the lake.)
The noun 'hišo' is in accusative case, feminine singular. The adjective 'velik' must agree with the noun in case, gender, and number, thus 'veliko'.
Njen avto je zelo ___. (Her car is very ___.)
The noun 'avto' is masculine singular. The adjective 'velik' must agree in gender and number, thus 'velik'.
Na mizi je bil ___ kup knjig. (There was a ___ pile of books on the table.)
The noun 'kup' is masculine singular. The adjective 'velik' must agree in gender and number, thus 'velik'.
Imeli so ___ praznovanje za rojstni dan. (They had a ___ celebration for the birthday.)
The noun 'praznovanje' is neuter singular. The adjective 'velik' must agree in gender and number, thus 'veliko'.
Videli smo ___ gorovje v daljavi. (We saw a ___ mountain range in the distance.)
The noun 'gorovje' is neuter singular. The adjective 'velik' must agree in gender and number, thus 'veliko'.
Consider if this is a significant decision.
Understand the impact of his opinion.
He talked about significant challenges.
Read this aloud:
Pripravljen sem prevzeti veliko odgovornost.
Focus: odgovornost
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
To je velik korak za naše podjetje.
Focus: korak
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Želim si velikega uspeha pri tem projektu.
Focus: uspeha
Você disse:
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Po letih trdega dela je podjetje končno doseglo ___ uspeh, ki si ga je zaslužilo. (After years of hard work, the company finally achieved the ___ success it deserved.)
Here, 'veliki' is in the nominative masculine singular form, agreeing with 'uspeh' (success), which is also masculine singular. The sentence implies a specific, significant success.
Kljub slabemu začetku so s skupnimi močmi premagali ___ izzive, ki so jih čakali. (Despite a bad start, they overcame the ___ challenges that awaited them with joint efforts.)
'Velike' is in the accusative plural form, agreeing with 'izzive' (challenges), which is masculine plural. The sentence describes the challenges as being large.
Njena ___ želja po učenju jo je pripeljala do izjemnih rezultatov. (Her ___ desire to learn led her to exceptional results.)
'Velika' is in the nominative feminine singular form, agreeing with 'želja' (desire), which is feminine singular. The sentence emphasizes the strength of her desire.
Za izgradnjo tega projekta bodo potrebovali ___ količino materiala. (They will need a ___ amount of material for the construction of this project.)
'Veliko' is in the accusative neuter singular form, agreeing with 'količino' (amount), which is feminine singular but used here in the accusative. In this context, 'veliko' acts as an adverbial modifier indicating a large quantity.
Srečanje je potekalo v ___ dvorani, ki je komaj sprejela vse udeležence. (The meeting took place in a ___ hall, which barely accommodated all participants.)
'Veliki' is in the locative feminine singular form, agreeing with 'dvorani' (hall), which is feminine singular. The preposition 'v' (in) requires the locative case.
Občinstvo je z ___ navdušenjem sprejelo nastop. (The audience greeted the performance with ___ enthusiasm.)
'Velikim' is in the instrumental neuter singular form, agreeing with 'navdušenjem' (enthusiasm), which is neuter singular. The preposition 'z' (with) requires the instrumental case.
Listen for the context of 'velik uspeh' and 'veliko truda'.
Focus on how 'velik' modifies 'projekt' and 'vpliv'.
Notice the different forms of 'velik' and their meanings.
Read this aloud:
Velikanski napredek je bil narejen v razvoju umetne inteligence.
Focus: Velikanski napredek
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
To je bil velik prelomni trenutek v zgodovini podjetja.
Focus: prelomni trenutek
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Potrebovali smo veliko poguma, da smo se soočili s to veliko odločitvijo.
Focus: veliko poguma, veliko odločitvijo
Você disse:
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The correct order is 'Veliko časa sem porabil', meaning 'I spent a lot of time'. 'Veliko' (a lot/much) modifies 'časa' (time).
The correct order is 'Njegovo srce je velika', meaning 'His heart is big'. 'Velika' agrees in gender and number with 'srce' (heart, which is grammatically feminine in this context).
The correct order is 'Imajo velike načrte za', meaning 'They have big plans for'. 'Velike' (big/large) modifies 'načrte' (plans).
Njegova sposobnost obvladovanja zapletenih situacij je zares tako ___.
Uporabimo 'velika', ker se ujema s spolom in sklanjatvijo samostalnika 'sposobnost' (ženski spol, imenovalnik ednine).
Pričakovanja javnosti so bila tako ___ za uspeh projekta, da je vsakršna napaka povzročila hud padec ugleda.
Uporabimo 'velika', ker se ujema s spolom in sklanjatvijo samostalnika 'pričakovanja' (srednji spol, imenovalnik množine).
Kljub ___ naporom, da bi ohranili mir, so se napetosti med državama stopnjevale.
Uporabimo 'velikim', ker se ujema s spolom in sklanjatvijo samostalnika 'naporom' (moški spol, dajalnik množine).
Njeno strokovno znanje na tem področju je resnično ___ in priznano v mednarodnem merilu.
Uporabimo 'veliko', ker se ujema s spolom in sklanjatvijo samostalnika 'znanje' (srednji spol, imenovalnik ednine).
Vpliv tehnološkega napredka na sodobno družbo je bil zmeraj tako ___.
Uporabimo 'velik', ker se ujema s spolom in sklanjatvijo samostalnika 'vpliv' (moški spol, imenovalnik ednine).
Zaradi ___ števila prijav so morali organizatorji omejiti udeležbo na konferenci.
Uporabimo 'velikega', ker se ujema s spolom in sklanjatvijo samostalnika 'števila' (srednji spol, rodilnik ednine).
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Understand 'velik' as the basic word for 'big' or 'large' in Slovenian, crucial for describing objects and concepts.
- Common A1 adjective
- Means 'big' or 'large'
- Essential for describing size
