If you’re planning to work in construction in Slovakia, or simply want to enhance your vocabulary in the Slovak language, it’s crucial to learn specific terms related to construction and tools. Mastering this specialized vocabulary can help you communicate more effectively on job sites, understand work-related documents, or even just help you with DIY projects at home.

Basic Construction Terms

In Slovak, the word for construction itself is stavba. When talking about various construction sites, you might need to specify what kind of construction is taking place. For example, road construction is referred to as stavba ciest.

Môžete mi ukázať, kde prebieha stavba ciest? (Can you show me where the road construction is happening?)

When discussing buildings, the term budova is used. If you need to specify that a building is under construction, you could say:

Táto budova je stále vo výstavbe. (This building is still under construction.)

Tools and Equipment

Tools are referred to as náradie in Slovak. For anyone working in construction, familiarity with the names of various tools is essential.

For instance, a hammer, which is one of the most common tools, is called kladivo in Slovak.

Potrebujem kladivo na zatĺkanie klincov. (I need a hammer to drive nails.)

A saw, used for cutting materials like wood or metal, is called píla.

Máte ostrú pílu na rezanie dreva? (Do you have a sharp saw for cutting wood?)

Drills, known as vŕtačka, are essential for making holes in walls or other materials.

Na inštaláciu tejto police potrebujem vŕtačku. (I need a drill to install this shelf.)

Construction Materials

Materials play a crucial role in any construction project. In Slovak, the general term for materials is materiál.

Cement is widely used in construction and is the same word in Slovak.

Potrebujeme viac cementu na základy. (We need more cement for the foundation.)

Another common material is drevo, which means wood.

Kúpili sme drevo na konštrukciu strechy. (We bought wood for the roof construction.)

Bricks, known as tehly, are also fundamental in building structures.

Tehly sú doručené priamo na stavenisko. (The bricks are delivered directly to the construction site.)

Safety Equipment

Safety should always be a priority on construction sites. In Slovak, safety equipment is referred to as bezpečnostné vybavenie.

A helmet, which is crucial for head protection, is called prilba.

Na stavenisku musíte nosiť prilbu. (You must wear a helmet at the construction site.)

Safety gloves, or bezpečnostné rukavice, protect the hands during work.

Bezpečnostné rukavice sú povinné pri manipulácii s drôtom. (Safety gloves are mandatory when handling wire.)

Construction Vehicles

Large vehicles are often necessary for major construction projects. The general term for vehicles in Slovak is vozidlá.

A very commonly seen construction vehicle is the bulldozer, known in Slovak as buldozér.

Buldozér vyrovnáva terén pre novú stavbu. (The bulldozer is leveling the ground for the new construction.)

An excavator, which is used for digging, is called bagr in Slovak.

Bagr kope základy pre nový dom. (The excavator is digging foundations for the new house.)

Communicating on the Construction Site

Effective communication is key to successful construction projects. Here are some phrases that might come in handy:

Môžete mi podať ten materiál? (Can you pass me that material?)

Skontrolujte, či sú všetky nástroje na svojom mieste. (Check if all tools are in their place.)

Understanding and using these Slovak terms will not only help you integrate better into a Slovak-speaking construction environment but also enhance your overall language skills. Whether you’re a professional in the field or just looking to expand your vocabulary, these terms and phrases offer a solid foundation in the specialized language of construction.