Language/Slovenian/Vocabulary/Introducing-Yourself

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Slovenian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Greetings and Introductions → Introducing Yourself

Introduction

In this lesson, we will learn how to introduce ourselves in Slovenian. Introducing yourself is an essential skill in any language, as it allows you to make a connection with others and start a conversation. By learning how to introduce yourself in Slovenian, you will be able to confidently meet new people, make friends, and navigate social situations. We will cover key phrases and vocabulary for introducing yourself, including how to say your name, where you are from, and how old you are. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently introduce yourself in Slovenian and engage in basic conversations with native speakers. So let's get started!

Basic Greetings Review

Before we dive into introducing ourselves, let's quickly review some basic greetings in Slovenian. Greetings are an important part of any introduction, and they help create a positive and friendly atmosphere. Here are some common greetings in Slovenian:

Slovenian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Zdravo	[zdrah-voh]	Hello
Dober dan	[doh-behr dahn]	Good day / Good afternoon
Dobro jutro	[doh-broh yoo-troh]	Good morning
Dober večer	[doh-behr veh-chehr]	Good evening
Nasvidenje	[nah-svee-deh-nyeh]	Goodbye

Remember to use these greetings when meeting someone for the first time or when entering a social setting. It's a polite way to acknowledge the other person and show respect. Now that we've reviewed basic greetings, let's move on to introducing ourselves.

Introducing Yourself

When introducing yourself in Slovenian, there are a few key pieces of information you should include: your name, where you are from, and your age. Let's break down each of these elements and learn how to express them in Slovenian.

Saying Your Name

The first step in introducing yourself is to say your name. Here are a few common phrases you can use to introduce yourself in Slovenian:

• Moje ime je [Your Name]. (My name is [Your Name].)
• Jaz sem [Your Name]. (I am [Your Name].)

For example, if your name is Ana, you can say:

• Moje ime je Ana. (My name is Ana.)
• Jaz sem Ana. (I am Ana.)

Practice saying your name out loud using these phrases. It's important to pronounce your name clearly so that others can understand it. Slovenian pronunciation is generally phonetic, so once you know the sounds of the letters, you can easily pronounce words correctly.

Talking About Your Origin

The next piece of information to include when introducing yourself is where you are from. This allows others to learn more about your background and can be a great conversation starter. Here are some phrases you can use to talk about your origin in Slovenian:

• Sem iz [Your Country]. (I am from [Your Country].)
• Prihajam iz [Your Country]. (I come from [Your Country].)

For example, if you are from Italy, you can say:

• Sem iz Italije. (I am from Italy.)
• Prihajam iz Italije. (I come from Italy.)

If you are from a specific city or region within a country, you can replace [Your Country] with the name of that city or region. For example, if you are from Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, you can say:

• Sem iz Ljubljane. (I am from Ljubljana.)
• Prihajam iz Ljubljane. (I come from Ljubljana.)

Stating Your Age

The final piece of information to include when introducing yourself is your age. This is optional and depends on the context of the conversation. If you feel comfortable sharing your age, here are some phrases you can use to state your age in Slovenian:

• Star(a) sem [Your Age]. (I am [Your Age] years old.)
• Imam [Your Age] let. (I am [Your Age] years old.)

For example, if you are 25 years old, you can say:

• Star(a) sem 25 let. (I am 25 years old.)
• Imam 25 let. (I am 25 years old.)

Remember to adjust the phrase based on your own age. If you are not comfortable sharing your age or if the context does not require it, you can simply skip this part and focus on the other aspects of introducing yourself.

Putting It All Together

Now that we have covered the individual elements of introducing yourself, let's practice putting it all together. Here is an example of a full self-introduction in Slovenian:

• Moje ime je Ana. Sem iz Ljubljane. Star(a) sem 25 let. (My name is Ana. I am from Ljubljana. I am 25 years old.)

Practice saying this self-introduction out loud, focusing on your pronunciation and intonation. The more you practice, the more confident you will become in introducing yourself in Slovenian.

Cultural Insights

Introducing yourself in Slovenian can vary slightly depending on the cultural context. Here are some cultural insights to keep in mind when introducing yourself:

1. Handshakes: In Slovenia, it is customary to shake hands when meeting someone for the first time or in a formal setting. Make sure to offer a firm handshake and maintain eye contact while doing so. This is a sign of respect and shows that you are interested in the other person.

2. Formality: Slovenians generally prefer a more formal approach when meeting someone for the first time. It is common to use titles such as "gospod" (Mr.) or "gospa" (Mrs./Ms.) when addressing someone you are not familiar with. As you build a relationship, you can transition to using the person's first name.

3. Personal Space: Slovenians value their personal space and typically maintain a distance of about an arm's length when conversing. Respect this personal space and avoid standing too close to others, especially when meeting someone for the first time.

4. Politeness: Politeness is highly valued in Slovenian culture. When introducing yourself, make sure to use polite language and show respect towards the other person. Use phrases such as "prosim" (please) and "hvala" (thank you) to demonstrate your manners.

5. Small Talk: Small talk is an important part of Slovenian social interactions. After introducing yourself, you can engage in small talk by asking questions about the other person's interests, hobbies, or profession. This helps build rapport and shows genuine interest in getting to know the other person.

Remember, cultural norms can vary, and it's always a good idea to observe and adapt to the specific cultural context you find yourself in. By being aware of these cultural insights, you can navigate social situations more effectively and make a positive impression when introducing yourself in Slovenian.

Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Here are some exercises to help you reinforce the vocabulary and phrases for introducing yourself in Slovenian.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate Slovenian words or phrases to complete the self-introductions.

1. Moje __________ je Marko. (My name is Marko.) 2. Jaz __________ Ana. (I am Ana.) 3. Sem __________ Nemčije. (I am from Germany.) 4. Pridem __________ Francije. (I come from France.) 5. Star(a) __________ 30 let. (I am 30 years old.)

Solution: 1. Moje ime je Marko. 2. Jaz sem Ana. 3. Sem iz Nemčije. 4. Pridem iz Francije. 5. Star(a) sem 30 let.

Exercise 2: Conversation Practice

Imagine you are meeting a new Slovenian friend for the first time. Practice a conversation where you introduce yourself and ask your friend about their name, origin, and age. Use the phrases and vocabulary you have learned in this lesson.

Example Conversation:

Person A: Zdravo! Moje ime je Ana. (Hello! My name is Ana.) Person B: Zdravo, Ana! Jaz sem Marko. (Hello, Ana! I am Marko.) Person A: Od kod si, Marko? (Where are you from, Marko?) Person B: Sem iz Ljubljane. (I am from Ljubljana.) Person B: Kako star(a) si, Ana? (How old are you, Ana?) Person A: Star(a) sem 25 let. (I am 25 years old.)

Feel free to personalize the conversation and ask additional questions to get to know your friend better. Practice this conversation with a partner or imagine it in your head to improve your speaking skills.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on introducing yourself in Slovenian. You have learned how to say your name, where you are from, and your age in Slovenian. Remember to practice these phrases regularly to build confidence in introducing yourself. By mastering this essential skill, you will be able to engage in conversations and connect with native Slovenian speakers. Keep up the good work and continue practicing!

Table of Contents - Slovenian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Nouns and Pronouns

• Singular and Plural Nouns
• Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time
• Days of the Week

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
• Adverbs

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Hobbies and Free Time

• Common Hobbies
• Talking about Free Time

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Slovenian Customs and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Food and Drink

Sources

• Learn Slovenian on Memrise - Beginner - Slovenian 1 - Memrise

Other Lessons

• Asking for Directions
• Talking about Free Time
• Common Foods
• Days of the Week
• Basic Greetings
• Telling Time
• Countries Države
• Family
• Numbers
• Health

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