Commenting on the way a person looks is another fundamental category of the compliment. (source: freepik.com)
Looking back over the past editions of Slovak Matters, one notices a disturbing pattern. Insults, pick-up lines, and other sensational material have been the topic of many a column.
Even the week covering weddings paid great attention to dramatic matters like kidnapping, drunkenness, and broken crockery. To change the tone of these pages, today we will turn to all things dobré ako med, or as good as honey.
This is not a moral judgment - don't worry that you will only be able to use that expression and the following Slovak words when dressed in your Sunday best. When something pleases you or is of good quality, calling it as good as honey is a nice way to praise it. Here are a few more hints on paying compliments.
One simple way of showing someone you appreciate them is through terms of endearment. “Si pašák!” and “si chlapík!” are terms that can be used between men. On their own, both of these appellations mean “guy”. But when said with “si” (you are) and the ever-important exclamation mark, they mean “you’re a great guy!” From the noun chlap is also the verb pochlapiť sa, to do a good job.
In this vein, but used for men and women, ,you can also say “si borec” (“you’re a champ”) and “si jednička” (“you’re number one”).
