Slovak past tense

In Slovak language we generally use only one kind of past tense - the simple past tense. Let's have a look at some of the rules to follow. 

When to use the simple past tense

The simple past is used in different situations in the past:

• finished actions
• states
• or habits

often used with the words:

• yesterday - včera
• last week - minulý týždeň
• at 2 o'clock - o druhej
• in 2003 - v 2003

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How to create the past tense

The past tense is formed by changing the suffix  -ť of the infinitive. The suffix depends on the gender and number:

• -l in masculine gender (písa-ť = písa-l)
• -la in feminine gender (kresli-ť = kresli-la)
• -lo in neutral gender (chodi-ť = chodi-lo)
• -li in plural (vari-ť = vari-li)

However, the first and second person in singular and plural  "I" (ja), "you" (ty, vy), "we" (my) need an auxiliary verb as well.

Regular conjugation in past tense

Let´s conjugate the verb to read - čítať as an example.

Here are some example phrases:

• Magda napísala list. = Magda wrote the letter.
• My sme kričali. = We shouted.
• Vy ste prišli. = You came.
• Ja som plakal. = I cried.

Irregular conjugation of "byť" in past tense

The verb "byť" (to be) is an irregular verb. Here is how we conjugate it in past tense:

Example phrases:

• Ja som bola doma. = I was at home.
• Dievča bolo v meste. = The girl was in the city.
• Priatelia, vy ste boli na oslave? = Friends, you were at the party?
• Ja a moji rodičia sme boli v Španielsku. = Me and my parents were in Spain.

You can practice you skills with the exercises!