Signification
Doing something very quickly.
Contexte culturel
In Bulgarian folk songs, heroes often perform tasks 'на един дъх' to show their supernatural strength. This reflects a cultural history where physical endurance was highly prized. When offered a 'rakia' (traditional brandy), drinking it 'на един дъх' (as a shot) is common among friends, though sipping is more formal. It shows a sense of 'nazdrave' (cheers) and camaraderie. In the fast-paced life of Sofia, 'на един дъх' is used to complain about or celebrate how quickly time passes or how fast one must work. Bulgarian critics often use this phrase to praise 'unputdownable' books, emphasizing the emotional connection between the reader and the text.
Use with Perfective Verbs
To sound like a native, always pair this with verbs that show completion (e.g., изпих, прочетох, изгледах).
Don't use for long periods
If something took a week, don't say 'на един дъх' unless you are being very sarcastic.
Signification
Doing something very quickly.
Use with Perfective Verbs
To sound like a native, always pair this with verbs that show completion (e.g., изпих, прочетох, изгледах).
Don't use for long periods
If something took a week, don't say 'на един дъх' unless you are being very sarcastic.
Complimenting a Storyteller
If you tell someone 'Слушах те на един дъх' (I listened to you in one breath), it is a huge compliment to their speaking skills.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Прочетох книгата ___ един ___.
The correct idiom is 'на един дъх'.
Which situation is best described by 'на един дъх'?
Коя ситуация е 'на един дъх'?
'На един дъх' implies a continuous, fast action like drinking a glass of juice without stopping.
Match the verb with the most natural use of 'на един дъх'.
Match the following:
All these verbs (drinking, reading, running, telling) are commonly used with this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
А: Хареса ли ти филмът? Б: Да, беше супер! ________.
'Гледах го на един дъх' means I watched it in one go because it was so good.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesПрочетох книгата ___ един ___.
The correct idiom is 'на един дъх'.
Коя ситуация е 'на един дъх'?
'На един дъх' implies a continuous, fast action like drinking a glass of juice without stopping.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All these verbs (drinking, reading, running, telling) are commonly used with this idiom.
А: Хареса ли ти филмът? Б: Да, беше супер! ________.
'Гледах го на един дъх' means I watched it in one go because it was so good.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, you can say 'Изчистих тази бъркотия на един дъх' (I cleaned this mess in one go), but it's more common for enjoyable things.
It is always 'на един дъх'. 'В един дъх' is incorrect in Bulgarian.
Absolutely. It shows you were very productive and focused.
No, it's figurative. It just means you didn't stop the activity.
It's slightly informal/neutral. In a very formal report, use 'без прекъсване'.
There is no plural form for this idiom. It is a fixed phrase.
Technically yes, but it's not a common idiom. It would just mean 'in two goes.'
Yes, Serbian and Macedonian have very similar expressions.
No, you wouldn't say 'I slept на един дъх.' You would say 'спах непробудно' (I slept without waking).
It's like the 'ch' in 'Bach' or a very breathy 'h'.
Expressions liées
наведнъж
synonymall at once
без прекъсване
synonymwithout interruption
на един дъх разстояние
specialized forma stone's throw away
от раз
similarfrom the first try / instantly
