Signification
Singing people are good-hearted.
Contexte culturel
Singing is a fundamental part of social gatherings. It is common for people to burst into song after a few glasses of wine, and this proverb is the 'license' to do so. The phrase is inseparable from the 1970 film of the same name. It represents a nostalgic view of the city's 'golden age' in the 1930s. In Dalmatia, 'Klapa' singing is a way of life. This proverb justifies the loud, harmonic singing often heard in narrow stone streets at night. The 'Bećarac' is a form of singing that can be cheeky or provocative, but the proverb is used to remind everyone that it's all in good fun.
The 'Tko' Rule
In Croatian proverbs, 'Tko' acts like 'He who' in English. It's a great way to sound like a native speaker when making general observations.
Movie Reference
If you mention the film 'Tko pjeva zlo ne misli' to a Croatian, they will immediately treat you like an insider. It's the ultimate cultural icebreaker.
Signification
Singing people are good-hearted.
The 'Tko' Rule
In Croatian proverbs, 'Tko' acts like 'He who' in English. It's a great way to sound like a native speaker when making general observations.
Movie Reference
If you mention the film 'Tko pjeva zlo ne misli' to a Croatian, they will immediately treat you like an insider. It's the ultimate cultural icebreaker.
Don't Overuse
While positive, don't use it to excuse someone who is being genuinely annoying or loud in a quiet place like a library.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
Tko pjeva, ___ ne misli.
The correct word is 'zlo' (evil), which completes the meaning that a singer has no bad intentions.
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Tko pjeva, zlo ne misli'?
Choose the best context:
Humming while working shows a peaceful and happy state of mind, which is exactly what the proverb describes.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Ana: 'Marko stalno pjeva, to je tako iritantno!' Iva: 'Daj Ana, smiri se. Znaš da...'
Iva is defending Marko's singing by using the proverb to suggest he is a good person.
Match the Croatian words with their English equivalents from the proverb.
Match the following:
These are the literal translations of the components of the proverb.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesTko pjeva, ___ ne misli.
The correct word is 'zlo' (evil), which completes the meaning that a singer has no bad intentions.
Choose the best context:
Humming while working shows a peaceful and happy state of mind, which is exactly what the proverb describes.
Ana: 'Marko stalno pjeva, to je tako iritantno!' Iva: 'Daj Ana, smiri se. Znaš da...'
Iva is defending Marko's singing by using the proverb to suggest he is a good person.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the literal translations of the components of the proverb.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, but often ironically or as a reference to the famous movie. It's still very common in social media captions.
In this context, it means 'malice' or 'bad intentions.' In other contexts, it can mean 'harm' or 'disaster.'
No, that's not a standard phrase. Stick to the original 'zlo ne misli' to be understood.
The comma separates the subject clause ('Tko pjeva') from the main clause ('zlo ne misli'). It's grammatically required.
Expressions liées
Pjesma liječi dušu
similarSong heals the soul.
Tko pjeva, dvostruko moli
specialized formHe who sings, prays twice.
Pjesma nas je održala
builds onSong is what kept us going.
Udri brigu na veselje
similarTurn your worries into joy.
