{"id":5871,"date":"2021-03-09T14:33:53","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T13:33:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/?p=5871"},"modified":"2021-03-11T13:35:43","modified_gmt":"2021-03-11T12:35:43","slug":"slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Slovenian Words with Hilarious Literal English Translations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>After living in Slovenia for a few years and stumbling through the language horribly, I can now safely share this ridiculous list of words I have been saving in the notes folder on my phone. This list is for Slovenian words that have amusing or interesting literal English translations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are learning Slovenian don&#8217;t forget to check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/learn-slovenian\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Ultimate Guide of Resources for learning Slovene <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think of more while reading the article, feel free to share them in the comments!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a1077100bde7\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a1077100bde7\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#1_vlakec_smrti\" title=\"1. vlakec smrti \">1. vlakec smrti <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#2_morski_pes\" title=\"2. morski pes \">2. morski pes <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#3_Rimska_cesta\" title=\"3. Rimska cesta\">3. Rimska cesta<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#4_posteljica\" title=\"4. posteljica\">4. posteljica<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#5_kacji_pastir\" title=\"5. ka\u010dji pastir\">5. ka\u010dji pastir<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#6_sesalniksesalec\" title=\"6. sesalnik\/sesalec\">6. sesalnik\/sesalec<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#7_wc_skoljka\" title=\"7. wc \u0161koljka\">7. wc \u0161koljka<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#8_nogomet\" title=\"8. nogomet\">8. nogomet<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#9_nosorog\" title=\"9. nosorog\">9. nosorog<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#10_povodni_konj\" title=\"10. povodni konj\">10. povodni konj<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#11_vinska_trta\" title=\"11. vinska trta\">11. vinska trta<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/#Want_to_read_more_about_Slovenian_culture_Check_out_these_posts\" title=\"Want to read more about Slovenian culture? Check out these posts:\">Want to read more about Slovenian culture? Check out these posts:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_vlakec_smrti\"><\/span>1. vlakec smrti <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Vlakec smrti<\/em> is rollercoaster in Slovenian, but the literal English translation is death train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rollercoaster.png\" alt=\"shows a rollercoaster and the text vlakec smrti and death train. \" class=\"wp-image-6151\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rollercoaster.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rollercoaster-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_morski_pes\"><\/span>2. morski pes <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Morski pes <\/em>translates literally to sea dog but no, Slovenia does not have a rare sea creature. This is just what they call sharks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shark.png\" alt=\"image of a shark and the text morski pes and sea dog\" class=\"wp-image-6153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shark.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shark-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Rimska_cesta\"><\/span>3. Rimska cesta<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for <em>Rimska cesta<\/em> on a map will have you searching awhile. The literal translation is Roman road but this is the name of the Milky Way in Slovenian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/milky-way.png\" alt=\"image of milky way and the text rimska cesta and roman road literal translations\" class=\"wp-image-6154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/milky-way.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/milky-way-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_posteljica\"><\/span>4. posteljica<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A personal favorite is <em>posteljica<\/em>. If you are just learning Slovenian and wondering why a tiny bed is listed here I am here to tell you that it is how Slovenians call a placenta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/placenta.png\" alt=\"image of placenta with the slovenian word posteljica and literal english translation of little bed\" class=\"wp-image-6155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/placenta.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/placenta-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_kacji_pastir\"><\/span>5. ka\u010dji pastir<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The direct translation of <em>ka\u010dij pastir<\/em> is snake shepard but no worries, this is not a real profession in Slovenia. This is the name for dragonflies!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kacji-pastir.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kacji-pastir.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kacji-pastir-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_sesalniksesalec\"><\/span>6. sesalnik\/sesalec<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I have always been amused by the word for vacuum which is <em>sesalnik <\/em>or <em>sesalec<\/em>. It translates literally as &#8220;sucking thing&#8221;. To make it even more amusing <em>sesalec<\/em>, which means sucker &#8211; as in suckling done when we are babies, is the Slovenian word for mammal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/vaccum.png\" alt=\"image of a vacuum and the slovenian word sesalnik and english translation sucking thing\" class=\"wp-image-6157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/vaccum.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/vaccum-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_wc_skoljka\"><\/span>7. wc \u0161koljka<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>WC is commonly used for restrooms, and stands for wash closet which is another word for a flush toilet in British English. <em>\u0160koljka<\/em> is the word for shell. Together that makes <em>wc \u0161koljka<\/em> translate literally into &#8216;toilet shell&#8217; referring to the toilet bowl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toilet-bowl.png\" alt=\"image of a toilet and the text wc skoljka and toilet shell\" class=\"wp-image-6158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toilet-bowl.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toilet-bowl-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_nogomet\"><\/span>8. nogomet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Nogomet<\/em> is how soccer is called in Slovene. The literal translation for it is &#8216;foot throw&#8217; although I don&#8217;t think throwing your foot would help your team win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soccer.png\" alt=\"picture of a soccer (or football) the word nogomet and foot throw for slovene to english translation\" class=\"wp-image-6159\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soccer.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soccer-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_nosorog\"><\/span>9. nosorog<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Animals always have fun names in different languages. <em>Nosorog<\/em> is a cute one as it literally means &#8216;nose horn&#8217; but it is the Slovenian word for rhinoceros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rhino.png\" alt=\"image of rhino and the words nosorog and nose horn\" class=\"wp-image-6160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rhino.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rhino-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_povodni_konj\"><\/span>10. povodni konj<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another animal with a cute name is <em>povodni konj<\/em>, translating to &#8216;water horse&#8217;. I guess Hippopotamus is a bit of a mouthful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/hippo.png\" alt=\"photo of a hippo and povodni konj (slovenian) and water horse (literal english translation)\" class=\"wp-image-6161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/hippo.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/hippo-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_vinska_trta\"><\/span>11. vinska trta<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is my favorite one to share. <em>Vinska trta<\/em> translates literally to &#8216;wine vine&#8217; or &#8216;wine plant&#8217;. If you haven&#8217;t figured it out yet, <em>vinska trta<\/em> is the Slovenian name for grapevine. It says a lot about the culture when a plant that grows grapes is referred to by its alcoholic beverage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/grapevine.png\" alt=\"image of a grapevine and the text vinska trta and wine plant.\" class=\"wp-image-6162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/grapevine.png 940w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/grapevine-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Want_to_read_more_about_Slovenian_culture_Check_out_these_posts\"><\/span>Want to read more about Slovenian culture? Check out these posts:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/pust-a-guide-to-slovenian-carnival\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Pust: A Guide to Slovenian Carnival<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-easter-traditions\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Learning How to Make Potica and Other Slovenian Easter Traditions<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/do-slovenians-celebrate-halloween\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Do Slovenians Celebrate Halloween?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After living in Slovenia for a few years and stumbling through the language horribly, I can now safely share this ridiculous list of words I have been saving in the notes folder on my phone. This list is for Slovenian words that have amusing or interesting literal English translations. If you are learning Slovenian don&#8217;t &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/slovenian-words-with-hilarious-literal-english-translations\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">11 Slovenian Words with Hilarious Literal English Translations<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[142,28,123,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-life-abroad","category-lifestyle","category-slovenia","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5871"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5871\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}