Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Slovak uses the Latin alphabet with special diacritics (háčik and dĺžeň) to represent unique sounds.
- The 'dĺžeň' (´) lengthens a vowel: a -> á.
- The 'háčik' (ˇ) softens a consonant: c -> č.
- The 'mäkčeň' (ˇ) on 'd', 't', 'n', 'l' changes them to 'ď', 'ť', 'ň', 'ľ'.
Common Diacritic Patterns
| Base Letter | With Háčik | With Dĺžeň | Sound Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
c
|
č
|
-
|
ts -> ch
|
|
s
|
š
|
-
|
s -> sh
|
|
z
|
ž
|
-
|
z -> zh
|
|
a
|
-
|
á
|
short -> long
|
|
o
|
-
|
ó
|
short -> long
|
|
n
|
ň
|
-
|
n -> ny
|
Meanings
The Slovak alphabet consists of 46 letters, including unique characters created by diacritics.
Vowel Length
Using the dĺžeň to make a vowel sound last longer.
“mama”
“mám”
Consonant Softening
Using the háčik to create palatalized sounds.
“cesta”
“často”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard
|
Letter
|
a
|
|
Long
|
Letter + dĺžeň
|
á
|
|
Soft
|
Letter + háčik
|
č
|
|
Combined
|
Letter + both
|
ď
|
|
Question
|
Sentence + ?
|
Čo?
|
|
Negative
|
Nie + Verb
|
Nie je.
|
正式程度
Čaj je horúci. (Daily life)
Čaj je horúci. (Daily life)
Čaj je horúci. (Daily life)
Čaj je vriaci. (Daily life)
Slovak Alphabet Structure
Vowels
- a, e, i, o, u short
Diacritics
- á, é, í, ó, ú long
按水平分级的例句
Mama má auto.
Mom has a car.
Čo je to?
What is that?
Pijem čaj.
I am drinking tea.
To je pes.
That is a dog.
Cesta je dlhá.
The road is long.
Mám rád žabu.
I like the frog.
Kúpim si chlieb.
I will buy bread.
Dnes je krásne.
It is beautiful today.
Študenti píšu úlohu.
Students are writing a task.
Ľúbim ťa veľmi.
I love you very much.
Nájdem tú knihu.
I will find that book.
Ťažká práca.
Hard work.
Väčšina ľudí vie pravdu.
Most people know the truth.
Dôležité rozhodnutie.
Important decision.
Päťdesiat rokov.
Fifty years.
Námestie je plné.
The square is full.
Vzťahy sú zložité.
Relationships are complex.
Päťstoročná tradícia.
Five-hundred-year tradition.
Zákonnosť je prioritou.
Legality is a priority.
Väzba je pevná.
The bond is strong.
Nádherná architektúra mesta.
The city's magnificent architecture.
Väčšinový názor.
Majority opinion.
Ťažisko problému.
The core of the problem.
Ľahkovážnosť sa nevypláca.
Frivolity does not pay off.
容易混淆
They look similar.
常见错误
caj
čaj
mama (long a)
máma
saba
žaba
n
ň
pijem caj
pijem čaj
dlha
dlhá
cesta (wrong sound)
česta
studenty
študenti
lubim
ľúbim
tazka
ťažká
vazba
väzba
tazisko
ťažisko
vacinovy
väčšinový
句型
To je ___.
Real World Usage
Ahoj!
Dobrý deň.
Super!
Kde je stanica?
Prosím si pizzu.
Meno a priezvisko.
Practice Daily
Don't skip diacritics
Use a Slovak keyboard
Respect the script
Smart Tips
Always check for diacritics.
Look for the marks.
Use the right layout.
Lengthen the vowels.
发音
Háčik
Softens the consonant.
Dĺžeň
Lengthens the vowel.
Falling
Slovak is nice. ↓
Declarative statement
记住它
记忆技巧
Remember: 'Háčik' is a little hook that catches the sound, 'Dĺžeň' is a long line that stretches the sound.
视觉联想
Imagine a letter 'c' wearing a small hat (háčik) to become 'č'. Imagine a letter 'a' being pulled by a long rope (dĺžeň) to become 'á'.
Rhyme
With a hook it's soft and light, with a line it's long and bright.
Story
A frog (žaba) sat on a path (cesta). He wore a hat (háčik) and stretched his legs (dĺžeň). He was a very special Slovak frog.
Word Web
挑战
Write your name using Slovak diacritics if possible, or write 5 words you know and add the correct marks.
文化笔记
Diacritics are a point of national pride.
Derived from Latin script, adapted by Ľudovít Štúr.
对话开场白
Ako sa píše tvoje meno?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
c_j
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
mama
má / auto / mama
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Dnes je ___.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
cesta
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesc_j
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
mama
má / auto / mama
c -> ?
Dnes je ___.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
cesta
Score: /8
常见问题 (8)
Slovak needs them for precise sounds.
No, they are mandatory.
Use a Slovak keyboard layout.
No, it is very phonetic.
It is a length mark.
It is a softening mark.
Only with close friends.
Only where needed.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Česká abeceda
Minor differences in specific letters.
Lateinisches Alphabet
Slovak is more phonetic.
Alphabet latin
French spelling is complex.
Alfabeto latino
Spanish is very phonetic.
ローマ字
Slovak is alphabetic.
الأبجدية اللاتينية
Arabic is abjad.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Connected Grammar
Rhythm Law
Builds OnExplains vowel length.