Significado
To wish for good luck.
Contexto cultural
In Croatia, the 'figa' gesture is often made by putting the thumb between the index and middle finger. It is a very common sight in schools during tests. Slovenians use the exact same idiom ('držati fige'). It is one of the many cultural links between the two neighboring countries. In Serbia, 'držati palčeve' (holding thumbs) is slightly more common than in Croatia, but 'držati fige' is still widely understood and used. The 'fig' gesture is a remnant of the Austro-Hungarian influence in the region, where German 'Daumen drücken' and Slavic 'fige' blended.
Use the Dative
Always remember to use the short dative pronouns: ti, mu, joj, nam, vam, im.
The Gesture
Be careful with the physical gesture in Italy or Turkey; it's an insult there!
Significado
To wish for good luck.
Use the Dative
Always remember to use the short dative pronouns: ti, mu, joj, nam, vam, im.
The Gesture
Be careful with the physical gesture in Italy or Turkey; it's an insult there!
Intensity
Use 'Stiskam fige' if you want to sound even more supportive.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'držati' and the dative pronoun.
Sutra imaš ispit? Ja ___ ___ fige!
Since the subject is 'Ja' (I) and the person addressed is 'ti' (you), the correct form is 'držim ti'.
Which situation is appropriate for 'držati fige'?
Kada kažemo 'držim fige'?
A job interview is an uncertain event where someone needs luck.
Match the Croatian phrase with its English equivalent.
Spoji parove:
These are the standard translations for these expressions.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: 'Jako se bojim zubara.' B: 'Ne brini, ___ ___ ___.'
The speaker is offering emotional support for a stressful situation.
Match the tense to the context.
Koji oblik je najbolji?
The idiom can be used in all tenses depending on when the event occurs.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosSutra imaš ispit? Ja ___ ___ fige!
Since the subject is 'Ja' (I) and the person addressed is 'ti' (you), the correct form is 'držim ti'.
Kada kažemo 'držim fige'?
A job interview is an uncertain event where someone needs luck.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are the standard translations for these expressions.
A: 'Jako se bojim zubara.' B: 'Ne brini, ___ ___ ___.'
The speaker is offering emotional support for a stressful situation.
Koji oblik je najbolji?
The idiom can be used in all tenses depending on when the event occurs.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it is informal. Use 'Želim vam sreću' in formal contexts.
Yes, you can say 'Držim si fige' (I'm holding figs for myself).
It means 'fig' (the fruit), but here it refers to the hand gesture.
No, saying the phrase is enough, but the gesture adds emphasis.
Yes, the meaning is identical, only the gesture differs.
No, that is not a standard idiom in Croatian.
Yes, it is a universal idiom across all Croatian regions.
You say 'Držat ću fige'.
Yes, in a friendly or casual email, it is very common.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but you could say 'ne želim ti sreću' (I don't wish you luck), though that's very mean!
Frases relacionadas
Sretno
synonymGood luck
Slomiti nogu
similarBreak a leg
Srećno
similarGood luck (Serbian variant)
Figa u džepu
contrastA fig in the pocket
