Signification
Knowing something but unable to recall.
Contexte culturel
Slovaks often use this phrase while physically snapping their fingers to 'help' the word come out. In many Slavic cultures, forgetting a word is seen as a sign of 'prepracovanosť' (overwork), and this phrase is a socially acceptable way to admit exhaustion. Oral exams are common. Students use this to show they aren't silent because they don't know, but because they are nervous. There is an old belief that if you have something on your tongue and someone else says it, you will have good luck.
Use with 'to'
90% of the time, Slovaks just say 'Mám to na jazyku.' You don't need to specify what 'it' is.
Don't say 'v jazyku'
This is the most common mistake. It sounds like you have a piercing or a disease.
Signification
Knowing something but unable to recall.
Use with 'to'
90% of the time, Slovaks just say 'Mám to na jazyku.' You don't need to specify what 'it' is.
Don't say 'v jazyku'
This is the most common mistake. It sounds like you have a piercing or a disease.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Mám to na _________ (jazyk).
The preposition 'na' requires the locative case here, which for 'jazyk' is 'jazyku'.
Which sentence is the correct way to say 'I have the name on the tip of my tongue'?
Choose the correct sentence:
The idiom always uses 'na' (on).
Match the response to the situation.
Someone asks: 'Ako sa volá ten tvoj kamarát?' (What is your friend's name?)
This is the natural response when you forget a name.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kde je ten kľúč? B: Je to v tej... v tej... _________!
The speaker is struggling to find the word for the location.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMám to na _________ (jazyk).
The preposition 'na' requires the locative case here, which for 'jazyk' is 'jazyku'.
Choose the correct sentence:
The idiom always uses 'na' (on).
Someone asks: 'Ako sa volá ten tvoj kamarát?' (What is your friend's name?)
This is the natural response when you forget a name.
A: Kde je ten kľúč? B: Je to v tej... v tej... _________!
The speaker is struggling to find the word for the location.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with anyone.
No, it's specifically for words, names, or specific pieces of information. For a task, use 'Vypadlo mi to.'
Máme to na jazyku (We have it on the tongue).
Sometimes people just say 'Na jazyku...' while snapping.
Expressions liées
vziať slovo z úst
similarTo say exactly what someone else was about to say.
pustiť si jazyk na špacírku
contrastTo talk too much or gossip.
behať po rozume
similarTo have something on one's mind.
mať pod čiapkou
contrastTo be a bit drunk.
