Signification
Buying something without seeing it first.
Contexte culturel
Czechs are known for being 'price-sensitive' and 'quality-conscious.' This idiom is a staple in consumer rights discussions and is often used in headlines for consumer watchdog articles. The 'cat for a hare' swap is a shared cultural memory across the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, appearing in similar forms in Hungarian and Slovak. With the rise of apps like Vinted, this phrase has seen a resurgence among Gen Z in the Czech Republic to describe 'mystery bundles' of clothes.
Use it for Vinted!
If you are shopping on second-hand apps, this is the perfect phrase to use when asking for more photos.
Don't say 'Rabbit'
Remember, it's a 'zajíc' (hare), not a 'králík' (rabbit). Using 'králík' will make you sound like a literal translator.
Signification
Buying something without seeing it first.
Use it for Vinted!
If you are shopping on second-hand apps, this is the perfect phrase to use when asking for more photos.
Don't say 'Rabbit'
Remember, it's a 'zajíc' (hare), not a 'králík' (rabbit). Using 'králík' will make you sound like a literal translator.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Nikdy nechtěl koupit ______ v ______.
The standard form is 'zajíce' (accusative) and 'pytli' (locative).
Which situation best describes 'koupit zajíce v pytli'?
Situace:
This involves high risk and a lack of inspection, which is the core of the idiom.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
A: 'Ten byt vypadá na fotkách skvěle, hned ho koupím!' B: 'Počkej, musíš tam jít osobně. Nechceš přece ______.'
The speaker is warning the other person against making a risky purchase.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesNikdy nechtěl koupit ______ v ______.
The standard form is 'zajíce' (accusative) and 'pytli' (locative).
Situace:
This involves high risk and a lack of inspection, which is the core of the idiom.
A: 'Ten byt vypadá na fotkách skvěle, hned ho koupím!' B: 'Počkej, musíš tam jít osobně. Nechceš přece ______.'
The speaker is warning the other person against making a risky purchase.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
2 questionsYes, but it's better in the body of the email when discussing concerns. For example: 'Neradi bychom kupovali zajíce v pytli, proto žádáme o vzorky.'
99% of the time, yes. It implies a risk that usually turns out badly. Occasionally, it's used for 'mystery boxes' where the surprise might be good, but the idiom still carries a warning tone.
Expressions liées
tahat kočku z pytle
similarTo let the cat out of the bag.
sázka do loterie
synonymA gamble / lottery bet.
vytáhnout králíka z klobouku
contrastTo pull a rabbit out of a hat.
