Bedeutung
Being unrealistic or daydreaming.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Slovaks value 'stáť nohami pevne na zemi' (standing with feet firmly on the ground). Being a dreamer is often seen as a luxury or a sign of youth. In many Slavic cultures, the 'dreamer' is a common trope in literature, often representing the intellectual who is disconnected from the struggles of the common people. In the growing startup scene, having your head in the clouds is sometimes rebranded as 'visionary thinking', though the idiom remains slightly cautionary. Many folk tales feature a 'Hlúpy Jano' (Silly Jano) character who often has his head in the clouds but ends up winning through luck or hidden wisdom.
Conjugation is key
Don't forget to change 'mať' to 'mám', 'máš', etc. The rest of the phrase stays the same.
Don't use 'mraky'
Even though 'mraky' means clouds, it sounds like 'storm clouds' and isn't used in this idiom.
Bedeutung
Being unrealistic or daydreaming.
Conjugation is key
Don't forget to change 'mať' to 'mám', 'máš', etc. The rest of the phrase stays the same.
Don't use 'mraky'
Even though 'mraky' means clouds, it sounds like 'storm clouds' and isn't used in this idiom.
Combine with 'nohami na zemi'
To sound like a native, use both: 'Je dobré mať hlavu v oblakoch, ale nohy na zemi.'
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'mať'.
Môj brat stále _______ hlavu v oblakoch.
The subject is 'môj brat' (my brother), which is 3rd person singular, so 'má' is correct.
Which sentence is the correct idiom?
Vyberte správnu vetu:
The idiom specifically uses 'hlavu' (head) and 'v oblakoch' (in clouds).
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your friend is planning to buy a Ferrari even though they have no job.
This idiom is used for unrealistic plans.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Prečo si neprišiel na stretnutie?' B: 'Prepáč, úplne som zabudol, _______.'
The speaker is explaining a past event, so the past tense 'mal som' is required.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMôj brat stále _______ hlavu v oblakoch.
The subject is 'môj brat' (my brother), which is 3rd person singular, so 'má' is correct.
Vyberte správnu vetu:
The idiom specifically uses 'hlavu' (head) and 'v oblakoch' (in clouds).
Situation: Your friend is planning to buy a Ferrari even though they have no job.
This idiom is used for unrealistic plans.
A: 'Prečo si neprišiel na stretnutie?' B: 'Prepáč, úplne som zabudol, _______.'
The speaker is explaining a past event, so the past tense 'mal som' is required.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's generally a lighthearted or gentle way to describe someone. However, in a professional setting, it can be a mild criticism.
Yes! It's very common to say 'Prepáč, mal som hlavu v oblakoch' if you weren't paying attention.
Not exactly. 'On cloud nine' means very happy. 'Head in the clouds' means distracted or unrealistic. In Slovak, 'lietať v oblakoch' is closer to 'on cloud nine'.
You can say 'Máme hlavu v oblakoch' (collective head) or 'Máme hlavy v oblakoch' (individual heads). Both are fine.
It's better to use more formal terms like 'nereálne predstavy' or 'nepozornosť' in very formal writing.
Yes, it is a standard idiom understood from Bratislava to Košice.
No, the idiom always uses the plural 'oblakoch'.
Yes, 'byť mimo' is a common slang way to say someone is distracted or out of it.
You can say 'Nemaj hlavu v oblakoch' or 'Vráť sa na zem' (Return to earth).
No, it specifically refers to mental distraction or daydreaming, not physical intoxication.
Verwandte Redewendungen
lietať v oblakoch
similarTo fly in the clouds
stavať vzdušné zámky
specialized formTo build castles in the air
stáť nohami na zemi
contrastTo stand with feet on the ground
byť duchom neprítomný
synonymTo be absent in spirit
