Bedeutung
Worrying too much about something.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is deeply tied to 'pohoda' culture. Czechs value the ability to not 'make a head' out of things as a sign of a balanced personality. Slovak uses the identical phrase 'robiť si hlavu,' reflecting the shared linguistic and cultural history of the two nations. The 'head' metaphor for worry is common across Central Europe (e.g., German 'Kopf machen'), suggesting a regional psychological focus on the head as the source of stress. In Czech 'Gen Z' slang, the phrase is sometimes replaced by 'neřeš' (don't solve/don't deal with it), but 'nedělej si hlavu' remains the classic version used by all generations.
The 'Z' Rule
Always remember the preposition 'z'. If you use 'o' (about), people will understand you, but you'll sound like a foreigner. 'Z' makes you sound native.
Don't be too casual
While common, don't say this to your boss if they are genuinely upset about a serious company error. It might sound like you don't care.
Bedeutung
Worrying too much about something.
The 'Z' Rule
Always remember the preposition 'z'. If you use 'o' (about), people will understand you, but you'll sound like a foreigner. 'Z' makes you sound native.
Don't be too casual
While common, don't say this to your boss if they are genuinely upset about a serious company error. It might sound like you don't care.
The Power of Negation
90% of the time, you will use this in the negative. It's a social tool for empathy.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun and preposition.
Nedělej ___ ___ toho hlavu.
The idiom always uses the dative reflexive 'si' and the preposition 'z'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct way to say 'I worry about school.'
'Z' changes to 'ze' before 'školy' for easier pronunciation, and it requires the genitive case.
Match the situation to the best response.
Your friend lost their umbrella and is very sad.
The negative form is used to comfort someone about a minor loss.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Zítra mám ten těžký test.' B: 'Vím, ale ________.'
B is trying to encourage A not to worry.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNedělej ___ ___ toho hlavu.
The idiom always uses the dative reflexive 'si' and the preposition 'z'.
Choose the correct way to say 'I worry about school.'
'Z' changes to 'ze' before 'školy' for easier pronunciation, and it requires the genitive case.
Your friend lost their umbrella and is very sad.
The negative form is used to comfort someone about a minor loss.
A: 'Zítra mám ten těžký test.' B: 'Vím, ale ________.'
B is trying to encourage A not to worry.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, you should say 'Dělám si hlavu z tebe' (I'm worried about you/because of you). However, 'Mám o tebe starost' is more common for people.
In a casual email to a colleague, yes. In a formal letter to a government office, no.
'Starat se' means to take care of someone or to worry in a general sense. 'Dělat si hlavu' is specifically about overthinking and mental stress.
No, it is almost exclusively used for negative worries or stress.
Z ničeho si hlavu nedělám.
Yes, even if a group of people is worrying, they each 'make a head' (singular).
Only if said with a sarcastic tone. Usually, it's very kind and supportive.
'Nedělej si z toho těžkou hlavu' (Don't make a heavy head out of it).
No, 'pro' is incorrect. Use 'z'.
Yes, 'robiť si hlavu' is the Slovak equivalent and is used exactly the same way.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Lámat si hlavu
similarTo puzzle over something difficult.
Vrtat hlavou
similarTo have a nagging thought.
Mít těžkou hlavu
builds onTo be very worried or burdened.
Hodit za hlavu
contrastTo put something behind you / to forget about it.
