Greetings
Dobrý deň
DOB-ree dyeny
Good day — said on entering any shop, lift, waiting room or office. Not saying it is read as rudeness, not shyness.
Ahoj / Čau
a-HOY / chow
Hi and bye, informal. Both work in either direction, and 'čau' is the younger one.
Social
Ďakujem
DYA-koo-yem
Thank you. 'Vďaka' is the casual version, roughly 'thanks'.
Prosím
PRO-seem
Please, here you are, you're welcome, and 'sorry, what?' — one word doing four jobs.
Na zdravie
na ZDRA-vyeh
Cheers — and also what you say when someone sneezes. Make eye contact when you clink.
Daily life
Rodné číslo
ROD-neh CHEES-lo
Your birth number: the personal identifier that gates health insurance, banking, tax and every government form. Ask for it early.
Cudzinecká polícia
TSOO-dzee-nets-kah PO-lee-tsi-a
The Foreign Police. Bratislava's office is at Račianska 62, and everything about your residence goes through it.
Električka
e-LEK-trich-ka
Tram. The tram map is how locals describe where they live.
Zálohované
ZAH-lo-ho-va-neh
'Deposit paid'. Drinks bottles and cans marked with a Z carry a 15-cent deposit you reclaim at a supermarket machine.
Work
Živnosť
ZHIV-nost
The trade licence. 'Ísť na živnosť' means going freelance — the standard Slovak alternative to employment.
Food
Denné menu
DEN-neh MEH-noo
The weekday set lunch — soup plus a main, ordered by number, served fast and cheap. How the city eats at midday.
Bryndzové halušky
BRIN-dzo-veh HA-loosh-kee
Potato dumplings with sheep's cheese and bacon. The national dish, and heavier than it sounds.
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