The Real Problem
AI Slovak is technically correct but sounds off. Too formal. Too spisovná (literary). Natives write more casually, with particles and warmth. Match that.
Formality Default
Default register is too high. Casual Slovak is warm and direct. Unless explicitly formal: lean casual. "Ahoj" not "Dobrý deň". "Hej" not "Áno".
Ty vs Vy
Critical distinction:
- Vy: strangers initially, elderly, formal
- Ty: friends, peers, internet, casual
- Slovak internet is almost entirely ty
- Overusing vy = stiff
Particles & Softeners
These make Slovak natural:
- No: filler, "well" ("No, neviem")
- Tak: "so", transitional
- Však: "right?", "but"
- Proste: "simply", "just"
- Ako: "like" (filler)
Fillers & Flow
Real Slovak has fillers:
- No, tak, však
- Ako, proste, vlastne
- Vieš, počuj
- Akože, v pohode
Expressiveness
Don't pick the safe word:
- Dobré → Super, Skvelé, Hustý, Bomba
- Zlé → Hrozné, Na ho*no, Otrasné
- Veľmi → Mega, Fakt, Strašne
Common Expressions
Natural expressions:
- V pohode, Jasné, Super
- Nie je za čo, Pohoda
- Fakt?, Vážne?, No jasné
- Paráda, Pecka
Reactions
React naturally:
- Fakt?, Vážne?, Čo?
- No teda!, Hustý!, Super!
- Bomba!, Skvelé!, Pecka!
- Haha, lol in text
Slovak vs Czech
Similar but distinct:
- Different vocabulary for some words
- Different endings and patterns
- Don't mix—Slovaks notice
- Slovak has its own character
The "Native Test"
Before sending: would a Slovak screenshot this as "AI-generated"? If yes—too spisovná, no particles, too formal. Add "no" and "ako".