LingoflyMust, can, may: morati, moči, smeti, treba je
Choose by the reason: something is necessary, impossible, or forbidden. Moram iti — I have to go. This is a form of morati, 'have to'. For example: “Moram spakirati kovček” — I have to pack the suitcase. A rule from the Slovenian course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
Choose by the reason: something is necessary, impossible, or forbidden. Moram iti — I have to go. This is a form of morati, 'have to'.
Ne morem odpreti vrat — I can't open the door: strength or circumstances prevent it. The verb is moči, 'can'. Ne smem — I'm not allowed, from smeti, 'be allowed'. Tukaj se ne sme kaditi — smoking is forbidden here.
Treba je plačati — payment is necessary. Ni treba plačati — there's no need to pay; this isn't a ban. To ask permission, use lahko: Lahko pomerim? — may I try it on?
Table
| meaning | how to say yes | what if not |
|---|---|---|
| must | moram iti | ni mi treba iti (not obliged) |
| can, able to do it | lahko odprem | ne morem odpreti |
| may, allowed | lahko pomerim | ne smem pomeriti |
| necessary in general | treba je plačati | ni treba plačati |
By example
How the rule settles in your head
A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.
Frequently asked
Must, can, may: how does it work in Slovenian?
Choose by the reason: something is necessary, impossible, or forbidden. Moram iti — I have to go. This is a form of morati, 'have to'.
What does it look like in a Slovenian example sentence?
“Moram spakirati kovček” — I have to pack the suitcase. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.