Bedeutung
To be in trouble.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The word 'sos' is a Germanism (from 'Sauce'). Its use reflects the heavy influence of Austrian cuisine on northern Croatia. In Dalmatia, you might hear 'šalša' for sauce, but the idiom 'u sosu' remains universal. In business, being 'u sosu' is often discussed over coffee. It's a way to humanize professional failures and seek informal advice from colleagues. Younger people often combine this with English slang, but 'u sosu' remains a staple because it's less 'cringe' than trying to use too much American slang. Because sauces (sugovi, sosovi) are a point of pride in Croatian cooking, being 'in' one implies you are part of something thick and complex, much like a good 'pašticada' sauce.
Add 'velikom'
If the trouble is serious, always say 'u VELIKOM sosu'. It makes you sound more native.
Check the case
Never say 'u sos'. It's a dead giveaway that you're a beginner. Always 'u sosU'.
Bedeutung
To be in trouble.
Add 'velikom'
If the trouble is serious, always say 'u VELIKOM sosu'. It makes you sound more native.
Check the case
Never say 'u sos'. It's a dead giveaway that you're a beginner. Always 'u sosU'.
The 'Uvaliti' combo
Use 'Uvalio sam se u sos' to take responsibility. It shows a higher level of language mastery.
Coffee context
This is the perfect phrase to start a conversation over coffee when you want to vent about your day.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'biti' and the noun 'sos'.
Zaboravio sam novčanik, ja ___ u ____.
For 'ja' (I), the verb is 'sam'. The noun 'sos' must be in the locative form 'sosu'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'We are in trouble'?
How do you say 'We are in trouble' informally?
'U sosu' is the standard idiom. 'U juhi' and 'u vodi' are not idiomatic in this context.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You broke your mother's favorite vase.
Breaking something valuable leads to trouble, hence 'u sosu si'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Što se dogodilo?' B: 'Auto mi je stao na autocesti, _________.'
A car breaking down on the highway is a classic 'trouble' situation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Trouble Levels
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenZaboravio sam novčanik, ja ___ u ____.
For 'ja' (I), the verb is 'sam'. The noun 'sos' must be in the locative form 'sosu'.
How do you say 'We are in trouble' informally?
'U sosu' is the standard idiom. 'U juhi' and 'u vodi' are not idiomatic in this context.
You broke your mother's favorite vase.
Breaking something valuable leads to trouble, hence 'u sosu si'.
A: 'Što se dogodilo?' B: 'Auto mi je stao na autocesti, _________.'
A car breaking down on the highway is a classic 'trouble' situation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's not rude, but it is informal. You can use it with anyone you are on a first-name basis with.
Yes, but it might sound a bit light. For a serious accident, 'u teškoj situaciji' is better.
'Sos' is more common in idioms and northern Croatia. 'Umak' is the standard Croatian word for sauce used in formal cooking.
You would say 'Uvalio sam ga u sos'.
Technically yes ('u sosovima'), but it is never used. The idiom is always singular.
Only if you are telling a funny story about a past mistake and the atmosphere is relaxed. Otherwise, avoid it.
Exactly the same. They are perfect equivalents.
Yes, it is widely understood and used across the entire BCS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) language area.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'biti na konju' (to be on a horse) means to be in a great, winning position.
No, we don't really say 'small sauce'. We just say 'u sosu' or 'u velikom sosu'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
U banani
synonymTo be in a bad way / in trouble.
U škripcu
similarTo be in a tight spot / squeeze.
Obrati bostan
similarTo be in for it / to face consequences.
Izvući deblji kraj
builds onTo get the short end of the stick.
Sve je med i mlijeko
contrastEverything is honey and milk (perfect).
