Bedeutung
To feel very comfortable in a situation.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The Danube and Sava rivers are central to Serbian identity. Many people spend their weekends on 'splavovi' (rafts) or fishing, making the 'fish in water' metaphor very relatable. The concept of 'snalažljivost' (resourcefulness) is highly prized. Being 'kao riba u vodi' is often used to praise someone who can navigate the complex social and bureaucratic systems of the Balkans. This is a 'universal idiom.' Because humans everywhere observe fish, almost every culture has a version of this, making it a great 'bridge' phrase for language learners. In the era of remote work, Serbians use this to describe people who are 'digital natives' or very comfortable with online tools.
Use it for compliments
It's a very safe and warm way to compliment someone's natural talent.
Check your case
Make sure you say 'u vodi' (locative) and not 'u vodu' (accusative).
Bedeutung
To feel very comfortable in a situation.
Use it for compliments
It's a very safe and warm way to compliment someone's natural talent.
Check your case
Make sure you say 'u vodi' (locative) and not 'u vodu' (accusative).
Combine with 'snalaziti se'
Using 'snalazi se kao riba u vodi' makes you sound much more advanced than just using 'biti'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Marko se na novom poslu oseća kao riba u ______.
The preposition 'u' requires the locative case 'vodi'.
Which sentence correctly uses the idiom to mean 'He is very comfortable'?
Izaberi tačnu rečenicu:
'Kao riba u vodi' is the standard form for being comfortable.
Match the person to the idiom based on the context.
Ana je profesionalna kuvarica. Kada je u kuhinji, ona je...
Since she is a professional cook, she is in her element in the kitchen.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Da li ti je teško da pričaš pred publikom? B: Ne, uopšte! Na bini sam kao ______.
The idiom 'riba u vodi' fits the context of being comfortable in a specific setting like a stage.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMarko se na novom poslu oseća kao riba u ______.
The preposition 'u' requires the locative case 'vodi'.
Izaberi tačnu rečenicu:
'Kao riba u vodi' is the standard form for being comfortable.
Ana je profesionalna kuvarica. Kada je u kuhinji, ona je...
Since she is a professional cook, she is in her element in the kitchen.
A: Da li ti je teško da pričaš pred publikom? B: Ne, uopšte! Na bini sam kao ______.
The idiom 'riba u vodi' fits the context of being comfortable in a specific setting like a stage.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenTechnically yes, but it's redundant. It's almost always used metaphorically for humans.
Yes, it's a great way to show confidence without sounding arrogant.
The opposite is 'kao riba na suvom' (like a fish on dry land).
Because the preposition 'u' (meaning 'in') triggers the locative case for the noun 'voda'.
It's understood, but 'u vodi' is the fixed idiomatic form.
Yes, it is identical and equally common in Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian.
Yes, just change the verb: 'Oni su kao riba u vodi.'
Not necessarily fast, but 'smooth' and 'effortless' in their actions.
Usually, it's positive. If you use it for someone doing something bad, it might sound sarcastic.
Not a direct one, but 'kida' (he/she shreds/kills it) is a common slang alternative for being good at something.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kao riba na suvom
contrastTo feel very uncomfortable or out of place.
Biti na svom terenu
similarTo be on one's own territory/turf.
Snalaziti se
builds onTo manage or find one's way.
Osećati se kao kod kuće
synonymTo feel at home.
