A1 Idiom Informel

Biti u petoj brzini

To be in fifth gear

Signification

To work or live very fast.

🌍

Contexte culturel

The phrase is often used to contrast with 'pomalo', the Dalmatian philosophy of taking things slowly. Using 'peta brzina' in a coastal town might get you a laugh and a suggestion to have a coffee instead. The obsession with gears comes from the manual transmission culture. Knowing how to 'shift' is a rite of passage, and the idiom reflects this technical familiarity. In the capital, 'peta brzina' is a badge of honor. It signals that you are part of the modern, European workforce.

🎯

Shorten it for fluency

Native speakers often just say 'u petoj' and skip the word 'brzini' entirely. It sounds much more natural in casual conversation.

⚠️

Don't use with 'na'

Always use 'u' (in). Saying 'na petoj brzini' is a classic sign of a non-native speaker.

Signification

To work or live very fast.

🎯

Shorten it for fluency

Native speakers often just say 'u petoj' and skip the word 'brzini' entirely. It sounds much more natural in casual conversation.

⚠️

Don't use with 'na'

Always use 'u' (in). Saying 'na petoj brzini' is a classic sign of a non-native speaker.

Teste-toi

Fill in the correct form of the idiom.

Danas imam puno posla, cijeli dan sam ___ ___ ___.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : u petoj brzini

The preposition 'u' requires the locative case 'petoj brzini'.

Which sentence is the most natural for a busy office?

How do you tell a colleague you are very busy?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : U petoj sam brzini.

This is the standard idiomatic way to express being busy with tasks.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Situation: You just drank three coffees and started working on your thesis.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Ubacujem u petu brzinu.

Drinking coffee and starting work implies a sudden increase in energy and speed.

🎉 Score : /3

Aides visuelles

Banque d exercices

3 exercices
Fill in the correct form of the idiom. Fill Blank A1

Danas imam puno posla, cijeli dan sam ___ ___ ___.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : u petoj brzini

The preposition 'u' requires the locative case 'petoj brzini'.

Which sentence is the most natural for a busy office? Choose A2

How do you tell a colleague you are very busy?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : U petoj sam brzini.

This is the standard idiomatic way to express being busy with tasks.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching B1

Situation: You just drank three coffees and started working on your thesis.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Ubacujem u petu brzinu.

Drinking coffee and starting work implies a sudden increase in energy and speed.

🎉 Score : /3

Questions fréquentes

3 questions

Not really. It's for the pace of work or life. For a fast runner, use 'brz'.

No, it's actually quite positive as it shows you are working hard and efficiently.

You can say 'u šestoj brzini', but 'peta' is the traditional idiom everyone knows.

Expressions liées

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Punom parom

synonym

With full steam.

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Laganini

contrast

Slowly, easily, without stress.

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Ubaciti u višu brzinu

builds on

To shift into a higher gear.

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