Signification
Very cold or emotionally distant
Contexte culturel
Croatians value 'toplina' (warmth) in social interactions. Being called 'hladan' is generally a critique of one's social skills. In the hot coastal regions, 'hladno kao led' is the highest praise for a drink or a place with good air conditioning. In these regions, the phrase is literal and a warning about the dangerous winter temperatures. The phrase appears in numerous songs to describe heartless lovers, reflecting the 'melodramatic' nature of Balkan ballads.
Gender Agreement
Always check the gender of the noun. If you're talking about a girl, it's 'hladna'. If it's a boy, 'hladan'.
The Beer Rule
In Croatia, if you serve someone a beer that isn't 'hladno kao led', it's considered a minor social sin!
Signification
Very cold or emotionally distant
Gender Agreement
Always check the gender of the noun. If you're talking about a girl, it's 'hladna'. If it's a boy, 'hladan'.
The Beer Rule
In Croatia, if you serve someone a beer that isn't 'hladno kao led', it's considered a minor social sin!
Don't overdo it
Calling a friend 'hladan kao led' can be quite hurtful. Use it for strangers or weather unless you're really upset.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'hladan'.
Ona je ______ kao led.
Since the subject is 'Ona' (she), the feminine form 'hladna' is required.
What does 'hladan kao led' mean when describing a person?
Marko je hladan kao led.
The figurative meaning refers to emotional distance or lack of feeling.
Match the sentence to the most likely situation.
Pivo je hladno kao led!
This is a common way to praise a well-chilled drink.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vani puše bura. B: Da, ______ je kao led.
When talking about the weather in general (it is cold), we use the neuter/adverbial form 'hladno'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Hladan vs. Leden
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesOna je ______ kao led.
Since the subject is 'Ona' (she), the feminine form 'hladna' is required.
Marko je hladan kao led.
The figurative meaning refers to emotional distance or lack of feeling.
Pivo je hladno kao led!
This is a common way to praise a well-chilled drink.
A: Vani puše bura. B: Da, ______ je kao led.
When talking about the weather in general (it is cold), we use the neuter/adverbial form 'hladno'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsYes, but usually only for things meant to be very cold, like drinks or ice cream. For soup that went cold, just say 'hladna je'.
It's not a swear word, but it is a negative description of their personality. It implies they are unfriendly.
'Hladan' means cold, 'leden' means icy. 'Hladan kao led' is the full idiom, but you can just say 'Leden je' for the same effect.
Use the neuter form: 'Hladno je'.
Yes, 'hladan kao špricer' means you are calm and collected, which is a good thing!
Expressions liées
Hladan kao špricer
similarCool as a cucumber / calm under pressure
Mrtav-hladan
builds onCompletely unfazed
Srce od kamena
similarHeart of stone
Zalediti se
relatedTo freeze up
