Significado
To have a tingling sensation or restlessness.
Contexto cultural
In Croatia, children are often told they have 'mravce u nogama' during long family lunches, which are a staple of Sunday afternoons. In the coastal region, where 'fjaka' (the art of doing nothing) is celebrated, 'mravci' are seen as the annoying opposite of a relaxed state. Across the Balkans, the ant metaphor is widely understood, showing a shared linguistic heritage in describing bodily sensations. Younger generations use the phrase ironically on social media when they are stuck in traffic or waiting for a delivery.
Use the Diminutive
Always use 'mravce' instead of 'mrave'. It sounds much more natural and native.
Don't say 'na'
Remember it's 'u nogama' (in the legs), not 'na nogama' (on the legs).
Significado
To have a tingling sensation or restlessness.
Use the Diminutive
Always use 'mravce' instead of 'mrave'. It sounds much more natural and native.
Don't say 'na'
Remember it's 'u nogama' (in the legs), not 'na nogama' (on the legs).
Body Swapping
You can use this for hands too! 'Imam mravce u rukama' is perfectly correct.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Dugo sam sjedio na podu i sad imam ______ u ______.
The correct form uses the diminutive 'mravce' and the locative plural 'nogama'.
Which sentence correctly describes a restless child?
Kako kažemo za dijete koje ne može mirno sjediti?
This idiom is the standard way to describe physical restlessness.
Match the Croatian phrase with its English equivalent.
Spoji parove:
These are all related to the sensation of 'mravci'.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
A: Zašto skačeš? B: ____________________.
Jumping or shaking the leg is a common reaction to 'mravci'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Kada ćeš reći 'Imam mravce u nogama'?
Long flights cause the physical sensation described by the idiom.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosDugo sam sjedio na podu i sad imam ______ u ______.
The correct form uses the diminutive 'mravce' and the locative plural 'nogama'.
Kako kažemo za dijete koje ne može mirno sjediti?
This idiom is the standard way to describe physical restlessness.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are all related to the sensation of 'mravci'.
A: Zašto skačeš? B: ____________________.
Jumping or shaking the leg is a common reaction to 'mravci'.
Kada ćeš reći 'Imam mravce u nogama'?
Long flights cause the physical sensation described by the idiom.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it is the diminutive plural of 'mrav' (ant), meaning 'little ants'.
It's better to avoid it. Use 'trnci' or describe the physical sensation more literally.
'Mravci' is specifically for that 'crawling' sensation, while 'trnci' is broader and can include cold shivers or emotional reactions.
Usually yes, but if you just say 'Imam mravce!', people will understand you're talking about your limbs.
Yes, similar versions exist in Serbian, Bosnian, and even Russian, though the exact wording varies.
Yes, figuratively it means you are so excited or restless that you can't sit still.
Ja imam, ti imaš, on ima, mi imamo, vi imate, oni imaju.
In this phrase, it is 'mravce' because it is the object of the verb (accusative case).
Yes, patients often use this exact phrase to describe symptoms to their doctors.
Yes! 'Imam mravce u ruci' is very common.
Frases relacionadas
Trnci me prolaze
similarTingles are passing through me.
Noga mi je zaspala
builds onMy leg fell asleep.
Ne drži ga mjesto
synonymThe place doesn't hold him.
Kao na iglama
similarLike on needles.
