Feeling under the weather? In this episode of Slovak Sound Check, Veronika and Lubna walk you through essential Slovak phrases for colds and light illnesses. Learn how to say how you feel, describe common symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, or fever, and explain why you’re staying home or going to the doctor. Practical, clear, and perfect for everyday situations — because even when you’re sick, you can still sound Slovak.
Vocabulary
cítiť sa = to feel
Ako sa cítiš? = How do you feel?
Cítim sa dobre. = I feel good.
Necítim sa dobre. = I don’t feel well.
Cítim sa zle. = I feel bad.
Som zdravý (m) / zdravá (f). = I am healthy.
Som chorý (m) / chorá (f). = I am ill.
Som nachladnutý (m) / nachladnutá (f). = I have a cold.
nachladnutie / prechladnutie = a cold
nádcha = runny nose
Mám nádchu. = I have a runny nose
Mám kašeľ. = I have a cough
bolieť = to hurt
Bolí ma hrdlo. = My throat hurts / I have a sore throat.
Bolí ma hlava. = My head hurts.
Mám teplotu. = I have a temperature.
Mám horúčku. = I have a fever.
Zostanem doma. = I will stay at home.
doktor / doktorka = doctor
lekár / lekárka = doctor
Idem k doktorovi (m) / doktorke (f) = I’m going to the doctor
lieky = medicine
lekáreň = pharmacy
Skoré uzdravenie! = Get well soon!
Note 1: The verb “cítiť sa” is a reflexive verb, which means it includes the reflexive pronoun sa. Literally, it means “to feel oneself.” That’s why we say “cítim sa dobre” (I feel good) or “cítim sa zle” (I feel bad) — the sa is always part of the verb.
Note 2: In Slovak, verbs are usually negated by adding the prefix ne- to the verb. So “cítim sa dobre” (I feel good) becomes “necítim sa dobre” (I don’t feel well). The reflexive pronoun sa stays in place.
Note 3: Adjectives in Slovak must agree with the gender of the person they describe. That’s why you say “som chorý” (I am ill – masculine) but “som chorá” (I am ill – feminine). The same applies to “zdravý / zdravá” (healthy) and “nachladnutý / nachladnutá” (having a cold).
Note 4: When talking about symptoms, Slovak often uses the verb “mať” (to have), which requires the accusative case. That’s why the noun endings change: “nádcha → mám nádchu”, “kašeľ → mám kašeľ” (without a change), “teplota → mám teplotu”, and “horúčka → mám horúčku”.
For a full overview of the verb “mať” (to have) and its conjugation, check out Episode 9.
Note 5: The phrase “bolí ma” literally means “it hurts me” and uses an impersonal construction with a silent subject in the 3rd person singular. You can use it with almost any body part: “bolí ma hrdlo” (my throat hurts), “bolí ma hlava” (my head hurts), “bolí ma brucho” (my stomach hurts).
Note 6: Slovak professions also change according to gender. “Doktor” and “lekár” both mean “doctor,” while “doktorka” and “lekárka” are the feminine forms. All of them are commonly used and mean the same thing.
Note 7: When saying who you are going to see, Slovak uses the preposition k (to) followed by the dative case. That’s why you say “idem k doktorovi” or “idem k doktorke”.
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