Present tense of -ie/e and -je verbs

15.8.2026

EXPLANATION

Introduction

When you start learning Slovak, present tense might seem intimidating but here is the good news: verbs belong to predictable pattern families. The two suffixes that we will be dealing with in this article are -ie/e and -je. You can find the suffixes -ať/ať and -íť/iť here and irregular verbs here.

Use

It is used for actions happening right now, habits, routines, truths or even scheduled future events.

Práve ti nesiem obed (happening right now)

Každý deň pracujeme (routine)

Zajtra berieš Petra domov (scheduled future event)

Conjugation

1, Verbs with the -ie/e pattern

This pattern applies to verbs whose 3rd person singular ends in -ie or -e. Most of these verbs have stems ending in a consonant.

2, Verbs with the -je pattern

This pattern applies to verbs where the stem ends in a vowel or the suffix -uj, followed by -je in the 3rd person singular.

Additional rules

1, You don´t need pronouns

You dont have to say “ja nesiem”, because the verb ending tells you what person it is without needing to mention that. Also, leaving out pronouns sounds much more natural.

ja nesiem -> nesiem

2, Negation is super easy

Just attach ne- directly to the front of the verb:

nesiem -> nenesiem

3, Short vs. Long vowels (Rhythmic Rule)

If the syllable right before the ending is long (has an accent like á or í), the ending becomes short and vice versa.

(rastú, not rástú)

DIALOGUE

Ahoj Milan,na čom pracuješ?

Ahoj,práve píšem správu šéfovi, že zajtra cestujem na dovolenku.

A kde cestuješ?

Do Španielska, ako každý rok. Plánujem ísť do mora a zrelaxovať trochu. A ty?

Ja práve nesiem Janke obed.

Rozumiem. Dobrú chuť prajem.

Ďakujem. Mimochodom, kedy zvyčajne obeduješ? Či nepotrebuješ objednať aj ty.

Nie, ďakujem. Ja a Katka zvyčajne obedujeme doma.

Rozumiem. Dobrú chuť potom. Ahoj

Aj tebe. Maj sa.

GAP FILL

1. Complete the sentences

SPEAKING

1. Answer the questions

a)Kde cestuje Milan na dovolenku?

b)Kde zvyčajne Milan a Katka obedujú?

c)Prečo píše Milan správu šéfovi?

2. Practice the grammar

a)Create your own sentence using any verb from the article.

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