Bedeutung
To cross fingers for luck.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Serbia, 'držati fige' is often accompanied by a playful tone. It's common to see people actually make the gesture with their hands while saying the phrase to emphasize their sincerity. Across the Balkans, the 'fig' gesture is a remnant of ancient protective magic. While the religious aspect is gone, the cultural habit of using hand signs for luck remains strong. WARNING: In Turkey, the 'fig' gesture (Nah) is highly offensive, similar to the middle finger. Never use the physical gesture there, even if you say the Serbian phrase. Germans use 'Daumen drücken'. Many Serbians who lived in Germany brought this back, so you might hear 'držim palčeve' (holding thumbs) as a synonym.
Use the Dative
Always remember to include 'ti' (you), 'mu' (him), or 'joj' (her) to sound like a native.
Gesture Caution
Don't use the hand gesture in Turkey or Russia; it's an insult there!
Bedeutung
To cross fingers for luck.
Use the Dative
Always remember to include 'ti' (you), 'mu' (him), or 'joj' (her) to sound like a native.
Gesture Caution
Don't use the hand gesture in Turkey or Russia; it's an insult there!
Texting
In texts, you can just write 'Fige!' as a short version of 'Držim fige'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'držati' and the pronoun 'ti'.
Sutra imaš ispit? Ja ______ ______ fige!
Since the subject is 'Ja' (I), the verb must be 'držim'. To wish luck to 'you' (singular informal), we use 'ti'.
Which situation is most appropriate for 'držati fige'?
Kada kažemo 'držim ti fige'?
We use this phrase to wish luck for an upcoming event like a meeting.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Idem na razgovor za posao. B: ________________!
'Držim ti fige' is the standard response to someone going to a job interview.
Match the phrase to the person.
Match: 1. 'Držimo vam fige' | 2. 'Drži mi fige' | 3. 'Držao sam ti fige'
1 is plural/formal, 2 is imperative (asking), 3 is past tense.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenSutra imaš ispit? Ja ______ ______ fige!
Since the subject is 'Ja' (I), the verb must be 'držim'. To wish luck to 'you' (singular informal), we use 'ti'.
Kada kažemo 'držim ti fige'?
We use this phrase to wish luck for an upcoming event like a meeting.
A: Idem na razgovor za posao. B: ________________!
'Držim ti fige' is the standard response to someone going to a job interview.
Match: 1. 'Držimo vam fige' | 2. 'Drži mi fige' | 3. 'Držao sam ti fige'
1 is plural/formal, 2 is imperative (asking), 3 is past tense.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is informal but very common in daily life and among colleagues.
Yes! You can say 'Držite mi fige!' (Hold figs for me!).
It's a hand gesture, not the fruit. The thumb is between the index and middle finger.
No, saying the words is enough, but the gesture adds emphasis.
Yes, the meaning is identical, even if the gesture is different.
Yes, that is also understood and used, especially in northern Serbia.
Use the past tense: 'Držao sam fige' (masculine) or 'Držala sam fige' (feminine).
Not at all! It is a very kind and supportive thing to say.
Only if you have a very friendly, informal relationship with them.
The plural is 'fige'. We always use the plural in this idiom.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Srećno
synonymGood luck
Stiskati palčeve
similarTo press thumbs
Navijati za nekoga
similarTo cheer for someone
Puno uspeha
formalMuch success
