Bedeutung
Don't criticize a gift.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Slovaks often use this proverb to downplay their own generosity when giving a gift, saying it as a joke to prevent the recipient from feeling too much 'debt' of gratitude. The horse was historically a symbol of survival. A gift of a horse was a life-changing event, making the act of checking its teeth particularly offensive as it questioned the giver's intent to help the recipient survive. In offices, this is frequently used when discussing 'benefity' (perks) like free coffee or fruit days, often to silence 'remcaví' (grumbling) colleagues. During Christmas (Vianoce), children are taught this proverb early on to ensure they show gratitude to grandparents, even if the gift is just socks.
Use it to be polite
If you receive a gift you don't like, saying this to yourself can help you stay positive and polite.
Don't use it for safety
If a free item is broken and dangerous, ignore the proverb and speak up!
Bedeutung
Don't criticize a gift.
Use it to be polite
If you receive a gift you don't like, saying this to yourself can help you stay positive and polite.
Don't use it for safety
If a free item is broken and dangerous, ignore the proverb and speak up!
Shorten it
In casual conversation, you can just say 'Darovanému koňovi...' and roll your eyes to show you think someone is being ungrateful.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words in the proverb.
Darovanému ________ na ________ nepozeraj.
The proverb specifically refers to a horse (koňovi) and its teeth (zuby).
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Situation: Your friend gives you his old smartphone for free, but the screen is slightly scratched.
This situation involves a free gift with a minor flaw, which is exactly what the proverb addresses.
Choose the correct grammatical form.
________ koňovi na zuby nepozeraj.
The adjective must be in the dative case to match 'koňovi'.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 'Ten obed v jedálni bol dnes zadarmo, ale mäso bolo tvrdé.' B: '________________________'
B is reminding A to be grateful for the free meal despite its quality.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDarovanému ________ na ________ nepozeraj.
The proverb specifically refers to a horse (koňovi) and its teeth (zuby).
Situation: Your friend gives you his old smartphone for free, but the screen is slightly scratched.
This situation involves a free gift with a minor flaw, which is exactly what the proverb addresses.
________ koňovi na zuby nepozeraj.
The adjective must be in the dative case to match 'koňovi'.
A: 'Ten obed v jedálni bol dnes zadarmo, ale mäso bolo tvrdé.' B: '________________________'
B is reminding A to be grateful for the free meal despite its quality.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is usually used to correct someone else's rudeness. However, saying it to someone who is genuinely disappointed might feel a bit dismissive.
Yes! If someone helps you for free and you don't like how they did it, this proverb applies perfectly.
Because horses were the most valuable 'tools' people owned for centuries, and their teeth were the only way to verify their true value.
The dative 'darovanému koňovi' shows the horse is the recipient of the 'not looking' action. It's a specific idiomatic use.
Neither is 'better', but 'nehľaď' sounds more traditional and 'nepozeraj' sounds more modern.
Yes, it is one of the most well-known proverbs in Slovakia and is used by all generations.
Only if you are discussing your philosophy on gratitude or teamwork. It might be too informal for a direct answer about salary.
The proverb applies even more! The more expensive the gift, the ruder it is to look for flaws.
Yes, 'Nerieš, bolo to zadarmo' (Don't deal with it/don't care, it was free) is the modern slang equivalent.
Not necessarily, but it means you shouldn't complain about it to the giver or in public.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Lepší vrabec v hrsti ako holub na streche.
similarA bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Kto skôr príde, ten skôr melie.
similarThe early bird catches the worm.
Za dobrotu na žobrotu.
contrastNo good deed goes unpunished.
Hosť do domu, Boh do domu.
builds onA guest in the house is God in the house.
