Dovolenka

Dovolenka is a Slovak word that refers to a holiday, vacation, or leave from work. It denotes a period of time set aside for rest, travel, or personal matters. In everyday usage, dovolenka often means annual leave provided by an employer, which may be paid or unpaid depending on the contract and national labor laws. People commonly say “ísť na dovolenku” to mean going on vacation and “ideme na dovolenku” for “we are going on vacation.”

Etymology and sense: the term derives from the verb dovoliť, meaning to permit or allow, with a suffix that forms a noun indicating a granted period away from work. The concept emphasizes permission to be away and the entitlement to a break from work duties.

Usage and scope: in Slovakia, dovolenka involves statutory or contractual leave days that workers accrue annually. The exact length and conditions vary by employer and law, but many employees receive several weeks of leave per year. The idea of dovolenka also intersects with travel and tourism, often conveyed as a planned break in the summer or other seasons.

Relation to other languages: in Czech, the corresponding word is dovolená (with a diacritic), and while closely related in meaning, the spelling differs from Slovak. Across other Slavic languages, the exact term and usage may differ, but the general concept of a planned period away from work remains similar.

See also: vacation, leave, paid time off, Slovak language, Czech language.