Signification
Be grateful for gifts.
Contexte culturel
Czechs often use this proverb to teach children modesty. It is a core part of 'slušné vychování' (good upbringing). In farming communities, the horse was the most valuable possession. This proverb carries the weight of centuries of agricultural history. Used frequently in online forums (like Reddit or Czech tech sites) when users complain about free software or open-source tools. Reflects a transition from a society of scarcity (where any gift was precious) to a consumer society (where people are more critical).
Shorten it
In casual talk, you can just say 'Darovaný kůň...' and people will know exactly what you mean.
Don't be rude
Saying this to someone who just gave you a gift might sound like you're calling their gift bad! Use it to talk *about* gifts, not always *to* the giver.
Signification
Be grateful for gifts.
Shorten it
In casual talk, you can just say 'Darovaný kůň...' and people will know exactly what you mean.
Don't be rude
Saying this to someone who just gave you a gift might sound like you're calling their gift bad! Use it to talk *about* gifts, not always *to* the giver.
The 'Huba' variant
Using 'do huby' instead of 'na zuby' makes you sound like a villager from a 19th-century novel. Use it for comedic effect!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words in the proverb.
Darovanému ______ na ______ nekoukej.
The correct words are 'koni' (horse) and 'zuby' (teeth).
In which situation would you use this proverb?
Your friend gives you his old bike for free, but the chain is rusty.
The proverb applies to gifts and free items.
Which case is 'darovanému koni'?
Identify the grammatical case.
It is the Dative case, used here for the recipient of the 'looking' action in this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ten oběd zdarma v práci byl docela slaný. B: ________.
B is reminding A to be grateful for the free lunch.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use this phrase
Gifts
- • Birthdays
- • Christmas
- • Surprises
Favors
- • Free help
- • Advice
- • Lifts
Digital
- • Free apps
- • Open source
- • PDFs
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDarovanému ______ na ______ nekoukej.
The correct words are 'koni' (horse) and 'zuby' (teeth).
Your friend gives you his old bike for free, but the chain is rusty.
The proverb applies to gifts and free items.
Identify the grammatical case.
It is the Dative case, used here for the recipient of the 'looking' action in this idiom.
A: Ten oběd zdarma v práci byl docela slaný. B: ________.
B is reminding A to be grateful for the free lunch.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt can be. If you say it to someone who is complaining, it's a correction. If you say it to the person who gave you the gift, it implies you think the gift is flawed.
Yes, but it sounds less like the traditional proverb. 'Nekoukej' is the standard idiomatic choice.
Technically, the proverb still applies! But in modern times, if a gift is dangerous or completely useless, the rule is often ignored.
Because the phrase implies a direction of the gaze 'towards' the horse, which triggers the Dative case in this specific idiom.
Yes, it is one of the most common proverbs in the Czech language and is used by all ages.
No, the horse is the only animal used in this proverb across Europe.
Using the wrong case for 'horse' (nominative instead of dative).
Only if the relationship is very casual. Otherwise, it's too informal.
In the proverb, yes. But you can apply it to any gift (phones, clothes, help).
It's a colloquial verb meaning 'to look' or 'to stare'.
Expressions liées
Zadarmo ani kuře nehrabe
contrastNothing is truly free.
Host do domu, bůh do domu
similarA guest in the house is God in the house.
Kdo dřív přijde, ten dřív mele
builds onFirst come, first served.
Nehas, co tě nepálí
similarDon't fight fires that don't burn you.
