Bedeutung
To have a lot of money
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Slovakia, talking about money was traditionally taboo, but since the 90s, idioms like 'v balíku' have become common as wealth became more visible. Similar 'bundle' or 'package' metaphors exist in neighboring Czech and Polish cultures, reflecting shared economic history. Modern Slovak influencers often use this phrase ironically or to boast about their 'flexing' lifestyle. While the idiom is informal, it is often used by entrepreneurs behind closed doors when discussing successful competitors.
Use for emphasis
Add 'poriadne' (properly) or 'riadne' (really) before 'v balíku' to sound more like a native.
Watch the register
Never use this with your boss unless you have a very close, casual relationship.
Bedeutung
To have a lot of money
Use for emphasis
Add 'poriadne' (properly) or 'riadne' (really) before 'v balíku' to sound more like a native.
Watch the register
Never use this with your boss unless you have a very close, casual relationship.
Envy vs. Admiration
Depending on your tone, this can sound like you are happy for someone or slightly jealous. Native speakers use a neutral tone to avoid sounding bitter.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the idiom.
Peter vyhral v lotérii, teraz je poriadne v ________.
After the preposition 'v', we use the locative case. For 'balík', the locative is 'balíku'.
Which sentence is a natural way to say someone is rich in a cafe?
How would you describe a wealthy celebrity to a friend?
'V balíku' is the most natural informal idiom for this situation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Pozri na to nové auto! B: No jasné, jeho otec ________.
'V balíku' is the idiom for being rich. 'Krabica' (box) and 'obálka' (envelope) are not used this way.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
In which situation should you NOT use 'byť v balíku'?
The phrase is too informal for official business correspondence.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Rich vs. Loaded
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenPeter vyhral v lotérii, teraz je poriadne v ________.
After the preposition 'v', we use the locative case. For 'balík', the locative is 'balíku'.
How would you describe a wealthy celebrity to a friend?
'V balíku' is the most natural informal idiom for this situation.
A: Pozri na to nové auto! B: No jasné, jeho otec ________.
'V balíku' is the idiom for being rich. 'Krabica' (box) and 'obálka' (envelope) are not used this way.
In which situation should you NOT use 'byť v balíku'?
The phrase is too informal for official business correspondence.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes! 'Ona je v balíku' is perfectly correct.
No, it's just informal. It's like saying 'loaded' in English.
They are rich = 'Oni sú v balíku'. The word 'balíku' doesn't change for plural subjects.
Yes, 'mať balík' means 'to have a bundle' and is a very common alternative.
Only in very casual business chats, never in formal meetings.
No, it just means 'a lot'. However, in the 90s, it often implied a million.
Yes, 'Tá firma je v balíku' means the company is very profitable.
'Bohatý' is neutral/formal; 'v balíku' is colorful/informal.
Yes: 'Bol som v balíku' (I was loaded).
It is extremely common all over Slovakia, including Bratislava.
Verwandte Redewendungen
byť v plnke
synonymTo be 'in the filling' (loaded with money).
mať vatu
similarTo have 'cotton wool' (lots of money).
byť švorc
contrastTo be broke.
prísť k balíku
builds onTo come into a large sum of money.
