Now that you’ve mastered how to pronounce Slovenia, it’s only fair its capital city also rolls off your tongue as smoothly as butter on hot morning toast.
How to properly pronounce Ljubljana?
Depending what your language background is, the lovely Ljubljana might be a nightmare for you to pronounce, or a piece of cake. Most agree that English phonetics of it all results in this :
“Lyoo-blyah-nuh”
Similar to the beloved craft brewery Loo-blah-nah, though taking out the “y” from Lyoo- and the -blyah- makes it intro the slang version, spelt “Lublana”.
How to pronounce “Ljubljana” 2?
So, how do I say Ljubljana, you wonder?
The –lj– connection inside the word is pronounced similarly to the English word “million” or saying “call you” with no pause, as “J”s in Slovenian are pronounced as “Y”s in English.
Although Slovenians when speaking colloquial, often do not pronounce “J”s inside the word – Lublana. Just use the one you find it easier. Locals will not resent you.
How not to pronounce and write Ljubljana?
Regardless of its widespread efficiency, don’t rely too much on Google Translate, as it will give you a pronunciation that only a misspelled “Lubiana” can be linked to. This way of saying it is also far from correct, but it does have its own charm.
Most commonly misspelt and mispronounced ways:
- lubliana – ignoring the js will make you sound lazy. If you’re going for that go all the way and read bellow for the slang way to say it, “lublana”!
- ljubljiana – just way too much going on here
- lublijana – you’ve blended 1. and 2.
- ljublijana – no, just no.
- ljubliana – not even close
- llubjana – double ls don’t work here
- llubljana – they also don’t work here
- ljublana – almost
- ljubjana – you almost had it, and back to this again
- ljubana – you’ll make the locals laugh with this one for sure
- ljubijana – this one, too!
- lubjiana – this should be someone’s name, it’s too good to pass out on
- ljub – don’t you have to finish something here?
- ljubjlana – still not quite there, but love the effort
- lubjana – yeah, not really
What’s the origin of the word Ljubljana?
Now that you’ve learnt how to pronounce it properly, you might be wondering what is means and where it comes from. The Romans formed a city here and called it Iulia Emona, meaning a flooding river. From the 12th century onwards, the German version for it, Laibach, was often mentioned, as well as the Slavic-Roman word Luwigiana. Romantic souls that most people are, it was just a matter of time before the story behind the capital city’s name took a more popular twist: that Ljubljana actually comes from the word “Ljubljena”, which means “beloved”.
To find out more about Ljubljana and listen to our traveller Will who knows how to speak Slovene really well, check out this video about Ljubljana.
Learn how to pronounce Slovenia here.
The Slovenia Book
The long-awaited new edition of The Slovenia Book has finally been released. This year’s book celebrates its 10th anniversary, and its cover is adorned in a festive gold color, stored in a convenient and elegant gift box. The new edition, which has already sold over 25,000 copies, will surprise you with new content and suggestions for exploring Slovenia, along with breathtaking photographs. This time, the book features 100 Slovenian towns and destinations that you definitely must visit, and we offer you more than 2,000 reasons to fall in love with this beautiful country. It’s a guide filled with numerous travel tips written by foreign journalists based on their own exploration of Slovenia.
Experience Slovenia Like Never Before:
- Discover Hidden Gems: Be inspired to explore the most beautiful natural and cultural treasures of Slovenia through engaging descriptions, and get familiar with some fascinating facts about this stunning country.
- Breathtaking Photography: Beautiful images will allow you to discover Slovenia in all its glory and will also serve as a reminder of the unforgettable moments you’ve experienced here, even when you return home.
- Top 10 and Top 100 Lists: Special Top 10 and Top 100 lists reveal the best Slovenia has to offer, from landmarks, local specialties, and traditional dishes to restaurants, wineries, events, tourist farms, and glamping sites.
- The Best of Each Region: This edition is unique because it provides an overview of attractions, traditional dishes, events, and experiences by region—making it easier to plan the perfect trip.
- Business Features: This edition also includes business-related content that will especially interest entrepreneurs. You will get to know the largest Slovenian companies, top exporters, as well as Slovenian business clubs and honorary consuls.
- The Perfect Gift: The book about Slovenia makes an excellent gift for friends, colleagues, business partners, and anyone planning a holiday in Slovenia or simply wanting to learn more about this country.
