As Slovenia‘s national language, Slovene is spoken by only two and a half million people, making this Slavic language something of an almost-secret. What’s more, throughout history it was the glue that held a nation together on its way to sovereignty in 1991. Here are 15 words to persuade you that although its words may sound harsh on first listening, the language of Slovenia is very beautiful indeed.
In Slovene, we say DOBRODOŠLI for ‘welcome’
Pronounce it like this: doh-broh-dohsh-lee
In Slovene, we say LJUBEZEN for ‘love’
Pronounce it like this: lyoo-beh-shen
In Slovene, we say DRUŽINA for ‘family’
Pronounce it like this: droo-zhee-na
In Slovene, we say ZAKLAD for ‘treasure’
Pronounce it like this: za-clahd
In Slovene, we say SVOBODA for ‘freedom’
Pronounce it like this: svuh-bohda
In Slovene, we say MODROST for ‘wisdom’
Pronounce it like this: mow-drohst
In Slovene, we say MIR for ‘peace’
Pronounce it like this: meer
In Slovene, we say EDINSTVEN for ‘unique’
Pronounce it like this: eh-deenst-vehn
In Slovene, we say IGRIVOST for ‘playfulness’
Pronounce it like this: ee-gree-vohst
In Slovene, we say POMLAD for ‘Spring’
Pronounce it like this: pohm-lahd
In Slovene, we say MORJE for ‘sea’
Pronounce it like this: moh-ree-ye
In Slovene, we say SLADKARIJE for ‘sweets’
Pronounce it like this: slahd-kah-ree-yeh
In Slovene, we say KNJIGA for ‘book’
Pronounce it like this: kuh-nyee-guh
In Slovene, we say HREPENENJE for ‘longing’
Pronounce it like this: hreh-peh-nehn-yeh
In Slovene, we say HRANA FOR ‘food’
Pronounce it like this: hrah-na
