Celebrate Easter the Slovak way! In this episode of Slovak Sound Check, we explore key Easter vocabulary and traditions — from “Veľká noc” and its special days to unique customs like “šibačka” and “oblievačka”. Learn how to talk about Easter in Slovak while discovering the cultural mix of spring celebrations, folklore, and distinctive habits.
SSCH_Ep41
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Vocabulary
Veľká noc = Easter
veľkonočný/á/é = Easter (adjective)
Veselú Veľkú noc! = Happy Easter!
zelený štvrtok = Maundy Thursday
veľký piatok = Good Friday
biela sobota = Holy Saturday
veľkonočná nedeľa = Easter Sunday
veľkonočný pondelok = Easter Monday
oslava jari = celebration of spring
kresťanské zvyky = Christian customs
pohanské zvyky = pagan customs
chlapci = boys
dievčatá = girls
šibať = to whip
šibačka = whipping tradition
polievať = to pour water
oblievačka = watering tradition
korbáč = whip (woven from willow)
vajíčko = egg
maľované vajíčko = painted egg
kraslica = decorated Easter egg
čokoládové vajíčko = chocolate egg
čokoládový zajačik = chocolate bunny
Note 1: In Slovak, the days of Easter week have their own specific names, which often reflect tradition or symbolism. For example, “Zelený štvrtok” (Maundy Thursday) refers to the custom of eating green foods, “Veľký piatok” (Good Friday) highlights the solemn importance of the day, and “Biela sobota” (Holy Saturday) uses the adjective “white,” symbolising purity. The main holidays are then formed with an adjective derived from “Veľká noc” (Easter): “veľkonočná nedeľa” (Easter Sunday) and “veľkonočný pondelok” (Easter Monday). Notice how the adjective “veľkonočný” changes its ending to match the gender of the noun.
Note 2: As we already know, Slovak uses derivation very actively to create new words. Adjectives are often formed from nouns, such as “čokoláda → čokoládový zajačik”, and from phrases like “Veľká noc → veľkonočné sviatky”. They can also come from verbs, for example “maľovať vajíčka (to paint eggs) → maľované vajíčka”. Similarly, nouns can be formed from verbs to describe actions or events: “šibať → šibačka”, and “polievať → polievačka”.
