The article discusses the language and function of magic words in youth literature, especially in fairy tales. The first part presents literary theories dealing with the function and meaning of magic words (H.-J. Uther, M. Luthi and M. Nikolajeva). In the second part, examples of the use of magic words in the works of Slovene youth authors are presented. There are also words and expressions in Slovene fairy tales and translations that have the function of a magical object: e.g. jug, cook, coffee table, scissors. Among the most original Slovenian magic words are those from the fairy tale from Resia Ta mala dujačesa (The Little Duchess, 2004), which is an example of bilingualism with magic words in the form of neologisms. They also appear as interjection (abracadabra, hocus-pocus, crisscross...), as names of fairy tale characters (e.g. Rumpelstiltskin) and as text parts (monologues or dialogues). Magic words also appear in contemporary youth literature, e.g. Jana Bauer Čarobna beseda (The Magic Word, 2004).