The dual
In addition to singular and plural forms, Slovenian has a distinct grammatical dual.
South Slavic language
Have Slovenian translated
slovenščina
Slovenian documents are needed for civil-status matters, education, employment and cross-border legal transactions.
Slovenian is spoken by approximately 2.5 million people in Slovenia and neighbouring regions.
Geographical distribution of Slovenian
- Main areas of use
- Other regional use
- Selected diaspora communities
Slovenia
Italy
Austria
Croatia
Hungary
Germany
Schematic selection of key areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders; the map is not a comprehensive population statistic.
Language profile
Slovenian at a glance
- Native name
- slovenščina
- Language family
- South Slavic language
- Script
- Latin alphabet
- Language code
- sl
Documents and uses
Common uses for this language combination
The language alone is not decisive. ABBA-Sprachendienste also considers the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and requested language direction.
Request a document review- Birth and marriage certificates
- Certificates and diplomas
- Employment and social-security documents
- Contracts and powers of attorney
- Court and public-authority records
Origin and development
How the language developed
Slovenian is a South Slavic language. The Freising Manuscripts, which contain early Slovenian forms, are among the oldest surviving Slavic texts written in the Latin script.
In the 16th century, the Reformation and Primož Trubar's books laid important foundations for a standard language. Regional dialects remain exceptionally diverse today.
Good to know
What makes this language distinctive
Dialect diversity
Spoken language varies considerably by region, but official documents use the standard language.
Special characters
Č, š and ž are distinct letters and must be preserved correctly in names and place names.
A brief introduction to the language
Three introductory expressions
The transliteration is intended only as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dober dan | — | Good day |
| Hvala | — | Thank you |
| Prosim | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded estimates and may vary depending on the definition, survey year and whether second-language speakers are included.
- Slovenian language
Wikipedia · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardised language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and territory names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial sources current as at 14 July 2026. The information will undergo a specialist review before the production launch.
Other related service languages
Slovenian FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Slovenian
Can I have Slovenian translated into German and German into Slovenian?
Both directions can be requested. Binding confirmation is provided after the document type, subject area, certification requirements, appointment and intended use have been assessed.
Which documents are commonly relevant for Slovenian?
Birth and marriage certificates, certificates and diplomas, employment and social-security documents, and contracts and powers of attorney are typical examples. Other types of document can also be assessed using a clear photograph or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste check for Slovenian?
The review covers the language direction, document type, use of the Latin alphabet, names, stamps, subject area, intended use and any potential need for certification.
Do I need a certified translation of my Slovenian document?
The receiving authority, court, notary or other requesting body decides this. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted so that the requirements can be assessed appropriately.
Is a photo sufficient for the initial review?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually sufficient for an initial quotation review. Depending on the assignment, the original may also be required later.
Ask us to review your Slovenian ↔ German requirements
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally assess the language direction, document, intended use and certification requirements.
