Grammar Basics
How to Say “the child” in Macedonian
Quick Reference
| Macedonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| детето | deteto | the child |
What Does “детето” Mean?
The Macedonian expression for “the child” is детето (Latin: deteto). It belongs to the category of core Macedonian grammar words and structures. Macedonian is a South Slavic language spoken by approximately 1.5 million people, primarily in North Macedonia. It uses the Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet, which has 31 letters — each with a consistent, phonetic pronunciation.
Grammar note: Definite form (neuter)
How to Pronounce детето
детето is pronounced “deteto” in Macedonian. One of Macedonian's most learner-friendly features is that it is a fully phonetic language — every letter always makes the same sound, with no silent letters and no irregular spellings. This means once you learn the Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet, you can read and pronounce any Macedonian word correctly.
The Latin transliteration above uses a standard system where each Macedonian letter maps to a predictable Latin equivalent. Stress in Macedonian generally falls on the third-to-last syllable in longer words, though for shorter words and phrases it often falls on the first syllable. Listen to native audio pronunciation in the free OpaLingo interactive lessons.
When to Use “детето”
This word is a foundational piece of Macedonian grammar. Understanding core grammar words is essential for building sentences and understanding how Macedonian communicates meaning. Unlike English, Macedonian marks definiteness through noun suffixes rather than separate articles.
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "the child" in Macedonian?
"the child" in Macedonian is детето. It is pronounced "deteto" — Macedonian is a phonetic language so every letter maps to a consistent sound.
How do you pronounce детето?
детето is pronounced "deteto". Macedonian uses the Cyrillic alphabet but is fully phonetic — once you know the letters, you can pronounce any word correctly. Free audio pronunciation is available in the OpaLingo interactive lessons.
Is "the child" formal or informal in Macedonian?
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Related Macedonian Grammar Basics Words
Practice “детето” with Interactive Exercises
OpaLingo's free interactive lessons include native Macedonian audio, flashcards, and quizzes to help you remember core Macedonian grammar words and structures for good. No account required — start learning immediately.