Signification
Lifelong benefits of early learning.
Contexte culturel
The proverb is often associated with the 'Golden Czech Hands' (zlaté české ručičky) mythos, where being multi-skilled is a point of national pride. Slovaks use the exact same proverb (in Slovak: 'Čo sa v mladosti naučíš, v starobe akoby si našiel'), reflecting the shared cultural history of Czechoslovakia. In the former Austro-Hungarian empire, education was the primary way to escape poverty, making this proverb a survival mantra for the working class. Today, it's often used ironically when someone remembers a 'useless' skill from the 90s, like using a floppy disk or a rotary phone.
Use it for motivation
Use this phrase when you are struggling to learn a new Czech grammar rule. It reminds you that the effort is worth it!
Don't modernize it
Never say 'k stáří'. Even though it's grammatically correct in modern Czech, it ruins the proverb's rhythm.
Signification
Lifelong benefits of early learning.
Use it for motivation
Use this phrase when you are struggling to learn a new Czech grammar rule. It reminds you that the effort is worth it!
Don't modernize it
Never say 'k stáří'. Even though it's grammatically correct in modern Czech, it ruins the proverb's rhythm.
The 'Half-Proverb' trick
Native speakers often just say 'Co se v mládí naučíš...' and nod. You can do the same to sound very natural.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
Co se v ______ naučíš, k ______ jako když najdeš.
The correct words are 'mládí' (youth) and 'stáru' (old age).
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Jana se jako dítě naučila šít. Teď, když je jí 50, si sama opravila šaty.
This situation describes a childhood skill being useful in later life.
Match the Czech words with their English equivalents from the proverb.
1. Mládí, 2. Naučíš se, 3. Najdeš, 4. Stáru
These are the core components of the proverb.
Complete the dialogue with the proverb.
Otec: 'Uč se ty cizí jazyky!' Syn: 'Proč?' Otec: 'Protože...'
This is the most appropriate motivational proverb for learning skills.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesCo se v ______ naučíš, k ______ jako když najdeš.
The correct words are 'mládí' (youth) and 'stáru' (old age).
Jana se jako dítě naučila šít. Teď, když je jí 50, si sama opravila šaty.
This situation describes a childhood skill being useful in later life.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the core components of the proverb.
Otec: 'Uč se ty cizí jazyky!' Syn: 'Proč?' Otec: 'Protože...'
This is the most appropriate motivational proverb for learning skills.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, though often ironically or when quoting their parents/grandparents.
It's an old way of saying 'towards old age' or 'in old age'.
Technically yes, but it's almost always used for positive skills and knowledge.
Yes, people often just say 'Co se v mládí naučíš...'
It's a neutral-to-formal proverb, but used in very casual family settings too.
It implies that the skill is like a hidden treasure you suddenly discover you have.
Almost identical, just with Slovak spelling and pronunciation.
Yes, if discussing long-term strategy or employee training.
It has a rhythmic cadence (meter), but not a perfect modern rhyme.
There isn't one perfect match, but 'What is learned in the cradle is carried to the grave' is close.
Expressions liées
Opakování je matka moudrosti
similarRepetition is the mother of wisdom.
Starého psa novým kouskům nenaučíš
contrastYou can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Řemeslo má zlaté dno
builds onA craft has a golden bottom (foundation).
Učený z nebe nespadl
similarNo one is born learned.
