Signification
To be very busy.
Contexte culturel
Croatians often use this phrase as a 'social buffer.' It's a polite way to decline an invitation without making the other person feel unimportant. It emphasizes that the 'work' is the obstacle, not the person. In Dalmatia, where the 'pomalo' (slowly) lifestyle is famous, saying you have 'pune ruke posla' is sometimes met with a joke like 'A tko nema?' (And who doesn't?). It's used to justify why you're not sitting at a cafe. In a Croatian office, saying this to a superior is a way of signaling that you are at maximum capacity. It is more common than saying 'I am stressed.' Grandmothers (bake) often use this phrase when preparing for large family lunches. It's a point of pride to have 'full hands' when caring for the family.
The 'Posla' Rule
Always remember the 'a' at the end of 'posla'. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
Not for Weight
If you are carrying heavy bags, just say 'Teško mi je' (It's heavy for me) or 'Ruke su mi pune stvari'.
Signification
To be very busy.
The 'Posla' Rule
Always remember the 'a' at the end of 'posla'. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
Not for Weight
If you are carrying heavy bags, just say 'Teško mi je' (It's heavy for me) or 'Ruke su mi pune stvari'.
Sound like a Native
Add 'stvarno' (really) for emphasis: 'Stvarno imam pune ruke posla.'
The Polite Decline
Use this phrase to decline invitations politely. It's much better than just saying 'Neću' (I won't).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the word 'posao'.
Danas imamo pune ruke _______.
The idiom requires the genitive singular form 'posla'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say you are busy?
Kako se kaže 'I am busy' na hrvatskom?
This is the standard idiomatic expression.
Complete the dialogue.
Ana: Možeš li mi pomoći? Marko: Oprosti, ne mogu, _______.
Marko is explaining why he cannot help.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You are a waiter in a crowded restaurant.
Waiters in busy restaurants are the literal and figurative definition of this phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Busy vs. Very Busy
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDanas imamo pune ruke _______.
The idiom requires the genitive singular form 'posla'.
Kako se kaže 'I am busy' na hrvatskom?
This is the standard idiomatic expression.
Ana: Možeš li mi pomoći? Marko: Oprosti, ne mogu, _______.
Marko is explaining why he cannot help.
You are a waiter in a crowded restaurant.
Waiters in busy restaurants are the literal and figurative definition of this phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, it is very common for students to say this during exam periods.
Yes, it is a professional way to indicate that you are busy.
It is in the genitive case because it indicates a quantity of work.
You can, but it's not the standard idiom. Stick to 'posla' for the idiomatic effect.
Yes, it is used across all BCS (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian) variants.
You could say 'Nemam pametnijeg posla' (I have nothing better to do) or 'Dosadno mi je' (I am bored).
Yes: 'Imao sam pune ruke posla.'
Yes, 'pune ruke posla' is slightly more formal/neutral.
No, the idiom always uses the plural 'ruke'.
Usually, yes. It implies you are at your limit.
Only if the hobby feels like 'work' or a big project, like 'Imam pune ruke posla u vrtu.'
Imat ću pune ruke posla.
Expressions liées
Biti u gužvi
synonymTo be in a rush/busy
Imati posla preko glave
builds onTo have work over one's head
Zasukati rukave
similarTo roll up one's sleeves
Praznih ruku
contrastEmpty-handed
Zatrpan poslom
synonymBuried with work
