Word Order and New Information
Slovak word order is flexible because the case endings show who does what. In a calm sentence, what we already know comes first and the new information comes last: Knihu som dal Petrovi (I gave the book to Peter).
How It Works
Known first, new last. Linguists split a sentence into the starting point (východisko), which links to what we already know, and the core (jadro), which brings the new information. In neutral speech and writing the core comes last:
- Knihu som dal Petrovi. — The new part is Petrovi: I gave the book to Peter.
- Petrovi som dal knihu. — The new part is knihu: I gave Peter a book.
Instead of articles. Slovak has no articles, so word order often shows whether something is new or already known:
- Na stole leží kniha. — There is a book on the table. (new book)
- Kniha leží na stole. — The book is on the table. (the book we mean)
Answering questions. The answer to a question goes last: Kedy prišiel Peter? — Peter prišiel včera. Kto prišiel včera? — Včera prišiel Peter.
Fixed small words. Free order does not apply to unstressed words like som, sa, si, mi, ho. They must stay in second position whatever comes first (see unstressed words in second position).
Emotional order. In excited speech the new part can come first with strong stress: PETROVI som ju dal, nie tebe! Writers also change the order for style; see literary word order.
Examples (6)
- Knihu som dal Petrovi.
I gave the book to Peter.
Word by Word: Book I-have given to-Peter.
New information: Peter.
- Petrovi som dal knihu.
I gave Peter a book.
Word by Word: To-Peter I-have given book.
New information: the book.
- Na stole leží kniha.
There is a book on the table.
Word by Word: On table lies book.
A new book is introduced at the end.
- Kniha leží na stole.
The book is on the table.
Word by Word: Book lies on table.
We already know which book.
- Včera k nám prišiel nový kolega.
A new colleague joined us yesterday.
Word by Word: Yesterday to us came new colleague.
- Do Bratislavy pôjdeme vlakom.
We'll go to Bratislava by train.
Word by Word: To Bratislava we-will-go by-train.
The new part is how we travel.
Common Mistakes
Putting a brand-new thing first when you mean "there is".
Kniha leží na stole.Na stole leží kniha.If you mean "There is a book on the table", the new book goes last. Kniha leží na stole means "The book is on the table", which is a different message.
Moving unstressed words along with the free order.
Knihu Petrovi dal som.Knihu som dal Petrovi.Free word order does not apply to som, sa, si or mi. They always stay in second position.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Word Order and New Information, learn Basic Word Order. Word order for new information is a change from basic order.
Related Patterns
- No Words for A and The
Word order often shows what English shows with a and the.
Level 1 - Unstressed Words in Second Position
Unstressed words keep their second position whatever else moves.
Level 3 - Order of Unstressed Words
Shows how several unstressed words line up in that second position.
Level 4 - je / súThere Is and There Are
There-is sentences put the new thing at the end: Na stole je kniha.
Level 1 - Word Order in Literary Style
Literary texts use other word orders for effect.
Level 6
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
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