Bedeutung
To be happy or submissive
Kultureller Hintergrund
In rural Slovakia, a dog that doesn't wag its tail is often considered sick or dangerous. This honesty is highly valued. The term 'vrtichvost' (tail-wagger) is a common pejorative for someone who changes their opinion to match their boss. Many Slovak proverbs use the dog as a symbol of loyalty, but 'vrtieť chvostom' is the specific way that loyalty is visually expressed. On Slovak social media, 'vrtieť chvostom' is often used in memes to mock influencers who promote products they don't actually like.
Grammar Hack
Always use the -om ending for 'chvost' when using this phrase. It's the 'with' case!
Context Matters
Calling a person a 'tail-wagger' can be a compliment for a child but an insult for an adult.
Bedeutung
To be happy or submissive
Grammar Hack
Always use the -om ending for 'chvost' when using this phrase. It's the 'with' case!
Context Matters
Calling a person a 'tail-wagger' can be a compliment for a child but an insult for an adult.
Sound Native
Use 'vrtieť sa ako pes' if you want to describe someone who is physically jumping around with excitement.
The 'Vrtichvost' Noun
You can call a sycophant a 'vrtichvost' (one word) for maximum impact.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the word 'chvost'.
Môj pes od radosti vrtí _______.
The verb 'vrtieť' requires the instrumental case, which for 'chvost' is 'chvostom'.
Which sentence uses the idiom in a negative, submissive sense?
Vyberte správnu možnosť:
This sentence describes a professional acting submissively to a superior.
Match the Slovak phrase with its English meaning.
Priraďte dvojice:
These are all related terms for social behavior.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
A: Prečo je Peter taký milý k šéfovi? B: Lebo chce povýšenie, tak poriadne _______.
The subject is Peter (he), so we use the 3rd person singular present tense.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMôj pes od radosti vrtí _______.
The verb 'vrtieť' requires the instrumental case, which for 'chvost' is 'chvostom'.
Vyberte správnu možnosť:
This sentence describes a professional acting submissively to a superior.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are all related terms for social behavior.
A: Prečo je Peter taký milý k šéfovi? B: Lebo chce povýšenie, tak poriadne _______.
The subject is Peter (he), so we use the 3rd person singular present tense.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenTechnically yes, but cats wag their tails when angry, so the idiom doesn't work the same way. It's almost exclusively dog-based.
Not always. For children or very close friends, it can mean 'visibly excited'. Context is key.
'Vrtieť' is faster and more frantic. 'Mávať' is like a slow wave.
Yes, it's a very common way to describe a 'yes-man' in Slovak.
Only if you are joking about yourself. Don't use it to describe others.
Ja som vrtel, ty si vrtel, on vrtel, ona vrtela, ono vrtelo.
No, idioms are inherently informal. Use 'prejavovať radosť' in formal settings.
Yes, but the verb ending changes in the past tense (vrtel vs vrtela).
Yes, this is a standard Slovak idiom used nationwide.
You could use it for a horse or a cow literally, but the figurative meaning stays with dogs.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Líškať sa
similarTo fawn or act like a fox (cunningly submissive).
Pätolizač
synonymBootlicker.
Podliezať
similarTo crawl under (someone).
Mať radosť
builds onTo have joy.
Vrtieť hlavou
contrastTo shake one's head.
