Significado
People who threaten often don't act.
Contexto cultural
In traditional Croatian villages, dogs were essential for protecting livestock from wolves. A dog that barked was a 'signaler'. This proverb reflects the farmer's trust in the dog's role as an alarm rather than a mindless attacker. Communication in the Balkans can sometimes be loud and passionate. This proverb acts as a social lubricant, helping people distinguish between 'theatrical' anger and 'real' hostility. In the age of 'tastatura ratnici' (keyboard warriors), this proverb has seen a resurgence in Croatia to describe people who are aggressive only behind a screen. Croatian political analysts often use this to describe populist politicians who make grand promises or threats during campaigns but fail to act once in power.
Use it for comfort
This is a great phrase to use when a friend is intimidated by someone's loud behavior. It shows empathy and provides a perspective shift.
Don't be too dismissive
If you say this about someone's boss *to* that boss, you will get in trouble. Keep it for 'behind-the-scenes' talk.
Significado
People who threaten often don't act.
Use it for comfort
This is a great phrase to use when a friend is intimidated by someone's loud behavior. It shows empathy and provides a perspective shift.
Don't be too dismissive
If you say this about someone's boss *to* that boss, you will get in trouble. Keep it for 'behind-the-scenes' talk.
The 'Ujeda' variant
If you are in Slavonia or near the Serbian border, you might hear 'ujeda' instead of 'grize'. Both are understood perfectly.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing verb in the proverb.
Pas koji laje, ne _______.
The proverb is 'Pas koji laje, ne grize' (A barking dog doesn't bite).
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Marko stalno prijeti da će dati otkaz, ali to nikada ne učini.
Marko makes threats (barks) but doesn't act (bite), which is the exact meaning of the proverb.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Bojim se novog trenera, jako je strog i stalno viče. B: Ne brini, znaš kako se kaže: ________________.
The context of someone shouting but being harmless fits this proverb perfectly.
Match the person to the proverb.
A person who writes angry comments but never does anything in real life.
'Pas koji laje, ne grize' is for loud, harmless people. 'Tiha voda brege dere' is for quiet, powerful people.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Loud vs. Dangerous
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosPas koji laje, ne _______.
The proverb is 'Pas koji laje, ne grize' (A barking dog doesn't bite).
Marko stalno prijeti da će dati otkaz, ali to nikada ne učini.
Marko makes threats (barks) but doesn't act (bite), which is the exact meaning of the proverb.
A: Bojim se novog trenera, jako je strog i stalno viče. B: Ne brini, znaš kako se kaže: ________________.
The context of someone shouting but being harmless fits this proverb perfectly.
A person who writes angry comments but never does anything in real life.
'Pas koji laje, ne grize' is for loud, harmless people. 'Tiha voda brege dere' is for quiet, powerful people.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasTechnically yes, but it's 99% used for people. If a real dog is barking, it's safer to assume it might bite!
It is 'ne grize' (it doesn't bite). 'Ne grizi' would be a command telling someone not to bite.
It's not rude, but it is informal and dismissive of the person being described. Use it with friends, not in a formal report.
The opposite is 'Tiha voda brege dere' (Still waters run deep), referring to someone quiet but dangerous.
In writing, yes. It separates the relative clause. In speaking, it's just a tiny pause.
Yes, 'lajati' means to bark. It's also used slangily to mean 'to talk nonsense'.
Only if you are asked about how you handle difficult people and you want to show you don't get easily intimidated.
Yes, from Zagreb to Split, everyone knows and uses this proverb.
Proverbs usually use the masculine form 'pas' as a generic term for the species.
People would understand you're being clever, but it's not the standard proverb.
Frases relacionadas
Tiha voda brege dere
contrastStill waters run deep.
Puno vike nizašto
similarMuch ado about nothing.
Vuk u janjećoj koži
contrastA wolf in sheep's clothing.
Oštar na jeziku
builds onSharp-tongued.
