kako si?
informal, singular
The English phrase "how are you" is translated into Slovenian as kako si? or kako ste?
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Slovenian | Note |
|---|---|
| kako si? | informal, singular |
| kako ste? | formal, plural |
Both forms are used as a greeting to ask about someone's well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase kako si? breaks down into kako, meaning "how" and si, which means "you are" (2nd person singular).
Which one should you use?
kako si? is used for a single person in an informal setting. In contrast, kako ste? is used when addressing someone formally or when addressing more than one person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
kako si? is the informal form, whereas kako ste? is the formal form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form kako si? is used exclusively for singular, informal address, such as when speaking to friends, family or children.
When do people say it?
When someone asks you how you are, common responses include Dobro, hvala. (Good, thanks) or the slightly more modest Ni slabo. (Not bad).
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'how are you' as a polite-but-empty greeting, asking kako si? in a Slovenian home often invites a genuine, detailed description of your health or mood.
- The word kako shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'how', as both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European roots.
- While kako si? asks how you are, Slovenians often use the phrase kaj se dogaja?, which literally means 'what is happening?', to check in with friends.
Examples in context
- Kako si?How are you?This sentence shows the basic greeting kako si?Tatoeba #948588 by oseba, translation #373320 by CK
- Dobro jutro, Tom. Kako si?Good morning, Tom. How are you?This sentence shows how to use kako si? after a morning greeting.Tatoeba #11641828 by Adelpa, translation #11641782 by Adelpa
- Živijo! Kako si?Hi! How are you?This sentence shows how to use kako si? after a casual "hi".Tatoeba #2775144 by Ricardo14, translation #30316 by Zifre
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe.
- ŽigaŽivijo, Zala! Kako si?Hi, Zala! How are you?
- ZalaŽivijo, Žiga! Sem dobro, hvala.Hi, Žiga! I am doing well, thanks.
- ŽigaOdlično. Kaj novo?Great. What's new?
- ZalaNič posebnega, vse je v redu.Nothing special, everything is fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how are you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kako, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
