What’s the difference between “trh” and “tržnica” — and how do you ask for a kilo of strawberries in Slovak? In this fresh and practical episode of Slovak Sound Check, we head to the market to learn useful vocabulary for shopping for seasonal fruit and vegetables. Along the way, you’ll pick up everyday phrases, quantity expressions, and simple questions that can help you sound more confident at a Slovak market stall.
SSCH_Ep46
Máte problém s prehrávaním? Nahláste nám chybu v prehrávači.
Vocabulary
trh = open-air market
tržnica = indoor market hall
stánok = stall
stánky = stalls
predávajúci = seller
Na trhu sú stánky. = There are stalls at the market.
ovocie = fruit
zelenina = vegetables
jablká = apples
čerešne = cherries
jahody = strawberries
zemiaky = potatoes
paradajky = tomatoes
uhorky = cucumbers
kilo = kilo / kilogram
dve kilá = two kilos
Kilo jahôd, prosím. = A kilo of strawberries, please.
Dve uhorky, prosím. = Two cucumbers, please.
Koľko to stojí (prosím)? = How much does it cost (please)?
Koľko stojí kilo jabĺk? = How much is a kilo of apples?
Koľko stoja dve uhorky? = How much are two cucumbers?
Note 1: In Slovak, the word “kilo” works similarly to English, but quantities such as “kilo”, “dve kilá” (two kilos), or “tri kilá” (three kilos) usually require the following noun to change into the genitive case. That’s why “jahody” (strawberries) becomes “jahôd” in the phrase “Kilo jahôd, prosím” (A kilo of strawberries, please).
Note 2: “Koľko to stojí?” (How much does it cost?) — is a question that might come handy when shopping in Slovak. You can make it more specific by adding the item you mean too, for example: “Koľko stojí kilo jabĺk?” (How much is a kilo of apples?). When asking about plural items, Slovak uses the plural verb form “stoja”, as in “Koľko stoja dve uhorky?” (How much are two cucumbers?).
