v / vo / na + Locative
Where: V and Na with the Locative
V and na take the locative to say where something is: v Bratislave (in Bratislava), na stole (on the table). V becomes vo before v, f and some consonant groups.
How It Works
To say where something is, use v (in) or na (on, at) with the locative case (lokál).
V means inside. It is used for rooms, buildings, towns and most countries: v obchode (in the shop), v Bratislave (in Bratislava).
Na means on a surface, and it is also used for open places, events and some places you must learn: na stole (on the table), na ulici (in the street), na koncerte (at a concert), na pošte (at the post office), na Slovensku (in Slovakia).
Vo replaces v before words that start with v or f, and before some consonant groups: vo vlaku (on the train), vo forme (in shape), vo Viedni (in Vienna), vo mne (in me).
Common locative singular endings:
- Feminine -a → -e: Bratislava → v Bratislave, pošta → na pošte. Slovak does not change the consonant: Praha → v Prahe, ruka → v ruke.
- Feminine soft -a and many feminine consonant nouns → -i: ulica → na ulici, Viedeň → vo Viedni.
- Masculine things → -e: stôl → na stole, obchod → v obchode. After k, g, h or ch → -u: vlak → vo vlaku. Soft masculine things → -i: stroj → na stroji, počítač → v počítači.
- Neuter -o → -e: mesto → v meste. After k, g, h or ch → -u: Slovensko → na Slovensku.
The locative only says where something is. To say where something is going, use do with the genitive (do obchodu) or na with the accusative (na poštu).
Examples (6)
- Bývam v Bratislave.
I live in Bratislava.
Bratislava becomes Bratislave after v.
- Sedíme vo vlaku.
We are sitting on the train.
Vlak starts with v, so the preposition is vo. After k, the ending is -u.
- Kniha je na stole.
The book is on the table.
Na for a surface. Stôl becomes stole.
- Mama je na pošte.
Mom is at the post office.
Pošta is a na-place.
- Pracujem v obchode.
I work in a shop.
Obchod becomes obchode after v.
- Žijeme na Slovensku.
We live in Slovakia.
Slovakia takes na. After k, the ending is -u.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the dictionary form after v or na.
Bývam v Bratislava.Bývam v Bratislave.V and na take the locative when they say where something is, so Bratislava becomes Bratislave.
Using v instead of vo before a word starting with v.
Sedíme v vlaku.Sedíme vo vlaku.Before a word starting with v or f, the preposition v becomes vo.
Using the locative for direction.
Idem v obchode.Idem do obchodu.V with the locative only says where you are. To say where you are going, use do with the genitive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Where: v and na With the Locative, learn The Six Cases. v and na take the locative when they mean location.
Related Patterns
- do + GenitiveGoing into: Do
Going into a place, while v says where you are.
Level 1 - na + AccusativeGoing Onto and to: Na
Going onto or to a place, while na with the locative says where you are.
Level 2 - Locative Singular Endings
The full set of locative singular endings.
Level 2 - na Slovensku / v ČeskuCountries with Na and V
Which countries take na and which take v.
Level 2 - Prepositions With an Extra Vowel
Why v sometimes becomes vo.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice v / vo / na + Locative in Bubblegum
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