Bedeutung
Quiet people can be surprising.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Czechs often use this proverb with a slight smile and a shrug. It reflects a national character that values 'underpromising and overdelivering.' The proverb is identical in Slovak ('Tichá voda brehy melie') and carries the exact same cultural weight, showing the shared linguistic heritage. In village life, this is often a warning about neighbors. A neighbor who doesn't join the pub talk might be the one who knows everyone's secrets. In modern offices, it's used to describe the 'quiet geniuses'—developers or analysts who don't participate in office politics but are indispensable.
The 'Knowing Nod'
When you say this, pause slightly after 'voda' and give a small nod. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Don't use for actual water
If you see a dangerous river, don't use this proverb. Use 'Pozor, silný proud!' (Watch out, strong current!).
Bedeutung
Quiet people can be surprising.
The 'Knowing Nod'
When you say this, pause slightly after 'voda' and give a small nod. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Don't use for actual water
If you see a dangerous river, don't use this proverb. Use 'Pozor, silný proud!' (Watch out, strong current!).
The Short Version
You can just say 'No jo, tichá voda...' and leave the rest to the listener's imagination. It's very idiomatic.
Teste dich selbst
Doplňte správné slovo do přísloví.
Tichá voda břehy _______.
The correct verb is 'mele' (grinds).
Co znamená toto přísloví?
Tichá voda břehy mele.
The proverb means that a quiet person can surprise us with their strength or skills.
Ke které situaci se toto přísloví nejlépe hodí?
Situace: Tvůj kamarád je velmi tichý, ale včera vyhrál maraton.
This situation describes a quiet person achieving something surprising, which is exactly what the proverb means.
Doplňte dialog.
A: 'Ten nový kolega skoro nemluví, myslíš, že je dobrý?' B: 'Nevím, ale pamatuj: ________.'
The context of a quiet colleague suggests the proverb about hidden potential.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenTichá voda břehy _______.
The correct verb is 'mele' (grinds).
Tichá voda břehy mele.
The proverb means that a quiet person can surprise us with their strength or skills.
Situace: Tvůj kamarád je velmi tichý, ale včera vyhrál maraton.
This situation describes a quiet person achieving something surprising, which is exactly what the proverb means.
A: 'Ten nový kolega skoro nemluví, myslíš, že je dobrý?' B: 'Nevím, ale pamatuj: ________.'
The context of a quiet colleague suggests the proverb about hidden potential.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenIt can be both! It's a compliment if you're praising hidden talent, but a warning if you're implying someone is sneaky.
Yes, absolutely. The 'voda' is feminine, but the proverb applies to any gender.
Yes, 'mlít' means to grind, but 'mlít pantem' is a slang term for talking too much. Don't mix them up!
Very common. Every Czech person knows this phrase by heart.
Only if you have a very friendly relationship with the recipient. Otherwise, it's a bit too informal.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Nezdá se, ale je to tak.
similarIt doesn't seem so, but it is.
Mluvit stříbro, mlčet zlato.
similarSpeaking is silver, silence is gold.
Kdo dřív přijde, ten dřív mele.
builds onFirst come, first served (First one there grinds first).
Prázdný sud nejvíc duní.
contrastAn empty barrel makes the most noise.
