a / ale / alebo
And, But and or
a = and, ale = but, alebo = or. čaj a káva, malý, ale pekný, kávu alebo čaj.
How It Works
a: and
- Mám brata a sestru. I have a brother and a sister.
- Peter číta a Jana píše. Peter is reading and Jana is writing.
At the start of a question, a means and what about: A ty? (And you?)
ale: but
- Je malý, ale pekný. It's small but nice.
- Chcem prísť, ale nemám čas. I want to come, but I don't have time.
When ale means but, always write a comma before it. Ale can also add feeling, like really, and then it takes no comma: To je ale pekné! (That's really nice!)
alebo: or
- Chceš kávu alebo čaj? Do you want coffee or tea?
- Pôjdeme autom alebo vlakom. We'll go by car or by train.
Two words that belong together
Later you will learn pairs such as Either ... Or, Neither ... Nor and Not Only ... but Also.
Examples (6)
- Mám brata a sestru.
I have a brother and a sister.
Word by Word: I-have brother and sister.
- Je malý, ale pekný.
It's small but nice.
Word by Word: Is small, but nice.
Comma before ale.
- Chceš kávu alebo čaj?
Do you want coffee or tea?
Word by Word: You-want coffee or tea?
- Ja som z Bratislavy. A ty?
I'm from Bratislava. And you?
Word by Word: I am from Bratislava. And you?
- Chcem prísť, ale nemám čas.
I want to come, but I don't have time.
Word by Word: I-want to-come, but I-don't-have time.
- To je ale pekné!
That's really nice!
Word by Word: That is but nice!
Here ale adds feeling, so there is no comma.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the comma before ale.
Je malý ale pekný.Je malý, ale pekný.When ale means but, Slovak spelling always puts a comma before it.
Putting a comma before a that joins two words.
Mám brata, a sestru.Mám brata a sestru.A that simply joins two words takes no comma.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- buď ... aleboEither ... or
A two-part version of alebo: either ... or.
Level 3 - ani ... aniNeither ... nor
The negative pair: neither ... nor.
Level 3 - nielen ... ale ajNot Only ... but Also
Ale also appears in the pair not only ... but also.
Level 4 - aj / tiež / aniAlso, Too and Not Even
Other small words for also and not even.
Level 2 - všakHowever: Však
A more formal word for but, meaning however. It usually comes after the first word of its clause.
Level 3 - Commas Before Conjunctions
The full comma rules before conjunctions.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice a / ale / alebo in Bubblegum
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