Bedeutung
Don't criticize a gift you received.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Slovakia, it is considered very rude to check the price tag of a gift or to ask how much it cost. This proverb reinforces that cultural taboo. In agricultural regions, horses were a sign of wealth. Giving a horse away was a massive act of charity, making any criticism of the animal a grave social offense. Slovaks use this phrase frequently on internet forums when people complain about free software, open-source tools, or free content. This proverb is part of a shared Central European heritage (Danubian culture), appearing in Hungarian, Czech, and Polish with almost identical wording.
Use it to deflect
If someone is pressuring you to criticize a gift, use this proverb to politely refuse to join in the negativity.
Don't be too literal
If you actually talk about a horse's teeth in a modern city, people will be very confused. It's 100% figurative now.
Bedeutung
Don't criticize a gift you received.
Use it to deflect
If someone is pressuring you to criticize a gift, use this proverb to politely refuse to join in the negativity.
Don't be too literal
If you actually talk about a horse's teeth in a modern city, people will be very confused. It's 100% figurative now.
Teste dich selbst
Doplňte správne slovo do príslovia.
Darovanému ______ na zuby nepozeraj.
The proverb specifically refers to a horse (koňovi).
V ktorej situácii je vhodné použiť toto príslovie?
Situácia: Dostali ste od kamaráta starý počítač, ktorý je pomalý.
The proverb is used to remind us to be grateful for free things despite their flaws.
Vyberte gramaticky správnu formu príslovia.
Ktorá veta je správna?
The dative case 'darovanému koňovi' is the only correct form for this proverb.
Doplňte dialóg.
A: Ten zadarmo lístok je do posledného radu! B: Prestaň sa sťažovať, ______.
This is the natural response to someone complaining about a free ticket.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDarovanému ______ na zuby nepozeraj.
The proverb specifically refers to a horse (koňovi).
Situácia: Dostali ste od kamaráta starý počítač, ktorý je pomalý.
The proverb is used to remind us to be grateful for free things despite their flaws.
Ktorá veta je správna?
The dative case 'darovanému koňovi' is the only correct form for this proverb.
A: Ten zadarmo lístok je do posledného radu! B: Prestaň sa sťažovať, ______.
This is the natural response to someone complaining about a free ticket.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenYes, it is very common to use this when discussing wedding gifts that might not be to the couple's taste.
Yes, very! You say this *about* a gift to a third party, or to yourself. Saying it to the giver implies the gift has flaws.
Because horses were the most expensive and vital 'machines' of the past, and their teeth were the only way to verify their age.
Sometimes people just say 'Darovanému koňovi...' and leave the rest to the listener's imagination.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Zadarmo aj ocot sladký
similarEven vinegar is sweet when it's free.
Kto rýchlo dáva, dvakrát dáva
builds onHe who gives quickly, gives twice.
Za dobrotu na žobrotu
contrastFor kindness, one ends up begging.
Hosť do domu, Boh do domu
similarA guest in the house is God in the house.
