Bedeutung
Appearances can be deceiving
Kultureller Hintergrund
In coastal Croatia, people are famously skeptical of 'furešti' (foreigners) or locals who show off too much wealth. This proverb is often used to keep people grounded. In the capital, the phrase is often applied to the 'glitzy' lifestyle of the elite, reminding middle-class citizens that appearances are often debt-funded. In this agricultural region, the proverb is linked to the quality of soil and produce—a field might look green but yield little. Used frequently in the context of gastronomy, especially regarding 'truffle' products that are actually flavored with synthetic oils.
Use it for 'Too Good to be True'
Whenever you encounter a situation that feels like a scam or an exaggeration, this is your go-to phrase.
Don't use 'koje'
Even if your grammar book says 'koje' is for neuter nouns, stick to 'što' here. Using 'koje' makes the proverb sound 'broken'.
Bedeutung
Appearances can be deceiving
Use it for 'Too Good to be True'
Whenever you encounter a situation that feels like a scam or an exaggeration, this is your go-to phrase.
Don't use 'koje'
Even if your grammar book says 'koje' is for neuter nouns, stick to 'što' here. Using 'koje' makes the proverb sound 'broken'.
The 'Sja' Shortcut
Remember that 'sja' is a poetic version of 'sjaji'. Using it outside of this proverb might sound too poetic for daily life.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
Sve što ___ nije ___.
The standard proverb uses 'sja' (shines) and 'zlato' (gold).
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Sve što sja nije zlato'?
Situation: You buy a beautiful cake, but it tastes like cardboard.
The cake looked good (shiny) but was bad (not gold).
Choose the best response for Ivan.
Ana: 'Ovaj novi posao nudi ogromnu plaću, ali moram raditi vikendom.' Ivan: 'Pazi, Ana...'
Ivan is warning Ana that the high salary might hide a bad work-life balance.
Which relative pronoun is traditionally used in this proverb?
Sve ___ sja nije zlato.
In Croatian proverbs, 'što' is used after 'sve'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Appearance vs. Reality
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenSve što ___ nije ___.
The standard proverb uses 'sja' (shines) and 'zlato' (gold).
Situation: You buy a beautiful cake, but it tastes like cardboard.
The cake looked good (shiny) but was bad (not gold).
Ana: 'Ovaj novi posao nudi ogromnu plaću, ali moram raditi vikendom.' Ivan: 'Pazi, Ana...'
Ivan is warning Ana that the high salary might hide a bad work-life balance.
Sve ___ sja nije zlato.
In Croatian proverbs, 'što' is used after 'sve'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, though often ironically or when discussing social media facades.
You can, and people will understand, but it's like saying 'All that glitters is not golden'—it's slightly off.
It is neutral to formal. It's safe to use with your boss or your friends.
No, it is very frequently applied to people's characters and life situations.
There isn't a direct opposite proverb, but 'Tiha voda brijeg roni' (Still water wears away the mountain) suggests that something quiet/unimpressive can be powerful.
For emphasis. The 'punchline' of the proverb is the realization that the object isn't gold.
Very often, especially when reporting on financial scams or failed celebrity marriages.
Absolutely. If a dish looks gourmet but tastes terrible, this is the perfect comment.
Almost, but 'Sve što sja' specifically warns about *attractive* things being bad, while the book proverb is more general.
Like 'S' followed by the 'ya' in 'yard'. One quick syllable.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Izvana gladac, iznutra jadac
synonymPolished on the outside, misery on the inside.
Ne sudi knjigu po koricama
similarDon't judge a book by its covers.
Obećanje, ludom radovanje
specialized formA promise is a fool's joy.
Vuk u janjećoj koži
similarA wolf in sheep's clothing.
