Signification
To waste time or avoid working.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply tied to the 'Phanariot' era, a time of Greek administration that many Romanians associate with corruption and laziness, which is why the idiom has a slightly mocking tone. Similar concepts of 'slow living' exist across the Balkans, where drinking coffee for hours is a social norm, often jokingly referred to as 'frecatul mentei' by younger generations. In modern tech hubs like Cluj or Bucharest, 'frecatul mentei' is used to describe 'quiet quitting' or the inefficiency of corporate meetings. In villages, the synonym 'a tăia frunză la câini' is more common, reflecting a more agricultural background where feeding dogs leaves is the ultimate sign of having nothing to do.
Use it for self-deprecation
It's a great way to sound humble and funny when someone asks what you've been up to.
Watch the conjugation
Don't forget that 'a freca' changes! 'Eu frec', not 'Eu freca'.
Signification
To waste time or avoid working.
Use it for self-deprecation
It's a great way to sound humble and funny when someone asks what you've been up to.
Watch the conjugation
Don't forget that 'a freca' changes! 'Eu frec', not 'Eu freca'.
The 'o' variation
If you hear 'A o freacă', it's the same thing but much more casual. Use it only with very close friends.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'a freca'.
Ieri, noi ________ menta toată ziua la plajă.
The word 'Ieri' (Yesterday) indicates the past tense (Perfect Compus). 'Noi am frecat' is the correct form.
Which situation is appropriate for using 'a freca menta'?
In which context can you use this phrase?
The phrase is informal and suitable for friends, not for formal or solemn occasions.
Match the Romanian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the correct translations and synonyms discussed.
Choose the best response for the dialogue.
Șeful: 'Unde este raportul?' Angajatul (către un coleg): 'Ups, am cam ________.'
The context implies the employee hasn't done the work because they were slacking.
Match the phrase variation to the register.
Match 'A o freca' and 'A irosi timpul'.
Register awareness is crucial for idioms.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Where people 'rub the mint'
Location
- • La birou
- • La școală
- • Acasă
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesIeri, noi ________ menta toată ziua la plajă.
The word 'Ieri' (Yesterday) indicates the past tense (Perfect Compus). 'Noi am frecat' is the correct form.
In which context can you use this phrase?
The phrase is informal and suitable for friends, not for formal or solemn occasions.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the correct translations and synonyms discussed.
Șeful: 'Unde este raportul?' Angajatul (către un coleg): 'Ups, am cam ________.'
The context implies the employee hasn't done the work because they were slacking.
Match 'A o freca' and 'A irosi timpul'.
Register awareness is crucial for idioms.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not offensive or vulgar, but it is very informal. It's like saying 'goofing off' in English.
Only if you have a very relaxed relationship. Otherwise, it's better to avoid it as it sounds disrespectful.
The past tense is 'am frecat menta'. Example: 'Ieri am frecat menta.'
Not a direct idiom, but you can use 'a irosi timpul' or 'a fi inactiv'.
Yes, literally it does, but no one uses it that way today unless they are actually making tea or mojitos.
Because rubbing mint on tables was an easy job for servants in the past compared to field work.
Yes, 'Ei freacă menta' (They are wasting time).
Yes, it is widely understood and used in both Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
No, it's only used for people or groups of people.
Forgetting to conjugate the verb or leaving out the 'a' at the end of 'menta'.
Expressions liées
A tăia frunză la câini
synonymTo cut leaves for the dogs
A sta degeaba
similarTo sit for nothing
A o freca
specialized formTo rub 'it'
A pune osul la treabă
contrastTo put the bone to work
A trage mâța de coadă
similarTo pull the cat's tail
