Why learn Slovene (Slovenian)?
Slovene is the key to everyday life in Slovenia—ordering coffee in Ljubljana, hiking the Julian Alps, or chatting with new friends. It’s a compact language with clear spelling, rich culture, and a supportive community. For beginners, Slovene rewards consistency: short, daily sessions quickly add up, especially when you practice online with real people.
Another perk: learning a smaller language builds confidence. You’ll spot progress faster, connect with locals more deeply, and open doors to travel, work, and study—without breaking the bank.
- Connect with locals and culture authentically
- Gain an edge for travel, work, or study
- Boost confidence with visible progress
- Access free, high-quality beginner resources
First steps: sounds, spelling, and survival phrases
Slovenian uses a Latin alphabet with special letters: č, š, ž. Most words are pronounced as written. Watch for lj and nj (blended sounds), rolled r, and fairly steady stress. Record yourself and compare with native audio to lock in clear pronunciation from day one—this makes later grammar way easier for beginners.
Grab a small set of survival phrases and repeat them daily. Keep them in a printable PDF or a flashcard app so you can review anywhere.
- Živjo! / Dober dan! – Hi / Good day
- Hvala / Prosim – Thanks / Please, you’re welcome
- Kako si? / Sem dobro. – How are you? / I’m well.
- Koliko stane? – How much is it?
- Kje je …? – Where is …?
Best free tools and apps to learn Slovenian
While Duolingo doesn’t currently offer a full Slovenian course for English speakers, you can still learn Slovene free with a solid toolkit. Combine an app for daily drills, online audio for listening, and a grammar overview for structure. Keep everything synced in one place—your notes, a PDF cheat sheet, and spaced-repetition decks—so review is effortless.
Tip: mix input and output. Read and listen first, then speak or write a tiny response. Short, frequent, real tasks beat long, passive sessions.
- Memrise community courses for Slovene basics
- Clozemaster for sentence-level practice
- Quizlet or Anki decks (DIY or shared)
- YouTube channels with slow, clear dialogues
- Forvo or online dictionaries for audio
A simple A1–A2 study plan for beginners
Use a light but consistent routine: 20–30 minutes a day is enough to reach A1 in a few months. Rotate skills—listening, speaking, reading, writing—so you build balanced Slovene. Keep materials lean: one app, one PDF phrase sheet, one online grammar summary, and a short deck of high-frequency words.
Measure progress weekly, not daily: can you introduce yourself, ask for prices, order food, and describe your day with basic verbs? If yes, you’re moving toward A2.
- Mon–Fri: 10 min app + 10 min listening
- Daily: 5–10 new words, spaced repetition
- Twice weekly: speak out loud for 5–8 min
- Weekly: one short text or message online
- Weekly: review a one-page PDF grammar tip
Practice online and stay motivated
Make Slovene part of your day. Shadow short videos: listen, pause, repeat. Join a language exchange and schedule a 15-minute chat—micro-commitments work. Track tiny wins: one new phrase used with a partner, one menu understood, one online comment posted. Motivation grows when you see real-life rewards.
If you hit a plateau, reduce scope: focus on a topic (food, directions) for one week. Recycle the same verbs and patterns until they feel automatic.
- Language exchanges for real conversation
- Watch RTV SLO clips with subtitles
- Keep a one-page phrase PDF on your phone
- Record yourself weekly to hear progress
- Celebrate streaks, not perfection
FAQ
- Is Slovenian hard for English speakers?
- Parts of Slovene are challenging (cases, verb aspects), but spelling is consistent and phrases come quickly. For beginners, a short daily routine with audio and an app keeps difficulty manageable. Expect early wins with greetings, numbers, and basic travel talk.
- What’s the difference between Slovenian and Slovene?
- They mean the same thing. “Slovenian” is common in general use; “Slovene” appears in linguistic or formal contexts. Use whichever you prefer—learners and natives will understand both.
- Can I learn Slovenian free without buying a textbook?
- Yes. Combine free online resources: a vocabulary app, community courses, YouTube listening, exchange chats, and downloadable PDFs for grammar and phrases. A paid book can help, but it’s optional for A1–A2 if you’re consistent.
- Does Duolingo offer Slovenian?
- Duolingo doesn’t currently have a full Slovenian course for English speakers. Use alternatives like Memrise community courses, Clozemaster, YouTube lessons, Anki or Quizlet decks, and free PDF phrase sheets to cover beginner basics.
- How long to reach A1–A2 in Slovene?
- With 20–30 minutes daily, many beginners reach A1 in 2–3 months and A2 in about 6–9 months. Focus on high-frequency verbs, core phrases, and regular speaking practice online to speed things up.