Signification
To suddenly decide to do something.
Contexte culturel
In Dalmatia, people often blame the 'Jugo' (south wind) for bad moods and weird decisions. 'Puhnuti u glavu' is often used literally and figuratively during these windy days. In the capital, the phrase is used more to describe the 'fickle' nature of modern urban life and sudden lifestyle changes. Istrians might use the phrase to describe a sudden 'dišpet' (spiteful decision) against a neighbor or authority. In the east, it's often associated with sudden hospitality or spending money impulsively at a 'tamburaši' night.
The 'Wind' Connection
If you forget the verb, just think of the wind blowing. 'Puhnuti' is the sound of a quick breath.
Don't use with 'Ja'
Never say 'Ja sam puhnuo'. Always use 'Meni je puhnulo' or 'Mi je puhnulo'.
Signification
To suddenly decide to do something.
The 'Wind' Connection
If you forget the verb, just think of the wind blowing. 'Puhnuti' is the sound of a quick breath.
Don't use with 'Ja'
Never say 'Ja sam puhnuo'. Always use 'Meni je puhnulo' or 'Mi je puhnulo'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct Dative pronoun (mi, ti, mu, joj, nam, vam, im).
Marko je jučer bio miran, a danas ____ je puhnulo u glavu da kupi motor.
We use the short Dative pronoun 'mu' for 'him' in this impersonal construction.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the right version:
The idiom requires the neuter past tense 'puhnulo' and the Accusative 'u glavu'.
Match the situation to the best use of the phrase.
Which situation fits 'Puhnulo mu je u glavu'?
The phrase is for sudden, unplanned actions like an impulse purchase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Zašto si prodao stan? B: Ne znam, jednostavno ____.
'Puhnulo mi je u glavu' is the best fit for a sudden, life-changing whim.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMarko je jučer bio miran, a danas ____ je puhnulo u glavu da kupi motor.
We use the short Dative pronoun 'mu' for 'him' in this impersonal construction.
Select the right version:
The idiom requires the neuter past tense 'puhnulo' and the Accusative 'u glavu'.
Which situation fits 'Puhnulo mu je u glavu'?
The phrase is for sudden, unplanned actions like an impulse purchase.
A: Zašto si prodao stan? B: Ne znam, jednostavno ____.
'Puhnulo mi je u glavu' is the best fit for a sudden, life-changing whim.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot necessarily, but it implies the person is being impulsive. Use it carefully with superiors.
Yes, 'Puhne mi u glavu' (It often occurs to me), but the past tense is much more common.
'Palo mi je na pamet' is for any idea. 'Puhnulo mi je u glavu' is specifically for sudden, slightly crazy whims.
Yes, it's very common to describe others: 'Njemu je puhnulo u glavu...'
Yes, it is understood and used everywhere, from Dubrovnik to Osijek.
Yes, that is a common regional variation, especially in the south and in Bosnia.
It's a bit advanced grammatically, but as a fixed phrase, it's great for sounding more native.
Usually, yes. Sometimes people just say 'Puhnulo mu je', and the 'u glavu' is implied.
Yes, it's often used for ideas that turn out to be mistakes.
The formal version is 'Donijeti neplaniranu odluku'.
Expressions liées
Palo mi je na pamet
similarAn idea occurred to me.
Kvrcnulo mu je
synonymSomething clicked/snapped in his head.
Sinulo mi je
similarIt dawned on me / I had a flash of insight.
Iz čista mira
builds onOut of the blue.
