Bedeutung
Being late results in missing out.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Slovak villages, this proverb was often used to teach children to be first at the 'jarmok' (market). If you were late, you only got the 'pabierky' (leftovers). There is a shared cultural emphasis on 'dochvíľnosť' (punctuality) across Slovakia, Czechia, and Austria. Being late is often interpreted as a lack of character. The 'akademická štvrťhodinka' is a known exception, but even then, students are warned that missing the start of a lecture is their own loss. In the Slovak startup scene, this proverb is used to describe 'first-mover advantage'. If you are slow to market, you harm your company's chances.
The Rhyme Rule
If you forget the exact words, just remember that the two verbs must rhyme: Chodí and Škodí.
Dative Case
Don't forget that 'škodiť' takes the dative. It's 'sebe', not 'seba'.
Bedeutung
Being late results in missing out.
The Rhyme Rule
If you forget the exact words, just remember that the two verbs must rhyme: Chodí and Škodí.
Dative Case
Don't forget that 'škodiť' takes the dative. It's 'sebe', not 'seba'.
Teasing Tone
You can use this to tease a friend who missed out on a snack, but keep your tone light!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
Kto _______ chodí, sám _______ škodí.
The correct words are 'neskoro' (late) and 'sebe' (dative reflexive).
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Peter meškal na vlak a teraz musí čakať 4 hodiny na ďalší.
Peter's lateness caused him a personal disadvantage (waiting 4 hours).
Match the Slovak word with its English meaning in the context of the proverb.
Match the following:
These are the literal translations of the key components.
Complete the dialogue with the proverb.
A: 'Už nemajú tie lacné letenky!' B: 'Nuž, hovoril som ti, aby si ich kúpil ráno. _________.'
The context of missing a sale due to delay perfectly fits the proverb.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenKto _______ chodí, sám _______ škodí.
The correct words are 'neskoro' (late) and 'sebe' (dative reflexive).
Peter meškal na vlak a teraz musí čakať 4 hodiny na ďalší.
Peter's lateness caused him a personal disadvantage (waiting 4 hours).
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the literal translations of the key components.
A: 'Už nemajú tie lacné letenky!' B: 'Nuž, hovoril som ti, aby si ich kúpil ráno. _________.'
The context of missing a sale due to delay perfectly fits the proverb.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot necessarily. It's a proverb, so it sounds like 'old wisdom'. However, if said with a mean tone, it can be annoying.
Yes, especially if the good drinks or food are gone by the time you arrive.
It means 'to oneself, by oneself'. It emphasizes that you are the only one responsible for the loss.
Sometimes people just say 'Kto neskoro chodí...' and let the listener finish it in their head.
It's 'SHKOH-dyee'. Make sure the 'd' is soft, like the 'd' in 'dew'.
Yes, frequently, to emphasize the importance of deadlines and being first to market.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'Lepšie neskoro ako nikdy' (Better late than never) offers a more forgiving view of lateness.
Yes, though often ironically or when quoting their parents.
In this context, 'chodí' means 'comes' or 'arrives' in a general sense, not just on foot.
Yes, you can use it about yourself to show you accept the consequences: 'Meškám, ja viem, kto neskoro chodí...'
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kto prv príde, ten prv melie
similarFirst come, first served.
Lepšie neskoro ako nikdy
contrastBetter late than never.
Ranné vtáča ďalej doskáče
builds onThe early bird catches the worm.
Zmeškať vlak
specialized formTo miss the train.
