Signification
To constantly argue with someone.
Contexte culturel
In rural Slovenia, dogs and cats were kept for utility. Their rivalry was a daily sight for farmers, leading to this idiom's ubiquity. Across the Balkans, this idiom is used to describe the 'passionate' nature of arguments which are loud but often short-lived. The idiom reflects a shared Austro-Hungarian linguistic heritage where animal metaphors dominate domestic descriptions. Today, the phrase is often used ironically because many Slovenians treat their pets like children, and they often sleep together.
Use the Dual!
Using the dual form 'sta' instead of the plural 'so' will make you sound like a native speaker instantly.
Not for serious fights
Don't use this for physical violence or deep hatred; it's for bickering.
Signification
To constantly argue with someone.
Use the Dual!
Using the dual form 'sta' instead of the plural 'so' will make you sound like a native speaker instantly.
Not for serious fights
Don't use this for physical violence or deep hatred; it's for bickering.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'biti' (dual).
Moja brata ___ kot pes in mačka.
Since 'brata' (two brothers) is dual, the verb must be 'sta'.
Which animal is missing from this idiom?
Biti kot pes in ______.
The standard idiom uses 'mačka' (cat).
Complete the dialogue with the idiom.
A: Ali se tvoja soseda razumeta? B: Ne, sploh ne. Vedno sta ______.
The context of 'not getting along at all' fits the idiom perfectly.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Two coworkers are arguing loudly about a stapler.
Bickering over small things is the core meaning.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMoja brata ___ kot pes in mačka.
Since 'brata' (two brothers) is dual, the verb must be 'sta'.
Biti kot pes in ______.
The standard idiom uses 'mačka' (cat).
A: Ali se tvoja soseda razumeta? B: Ne, sploh ne. Vedno sta ______.
The context of 'not getting along at all' fits the idiom perfectly.
Two coworkers are arguing loudly about a stapler.
Bickering over small things is the core meaning.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsYou can, but it sounds unnatural. The fixed order is 'pes in mačka'.
No, it's a lighthearted idiom. However, don't say it directly to people who are genuinely angry at each other.
Usually no. If three people are fighting, you'd say 'vsi se kregajo'. The idiom is built for pairs.
Expressions liées
biti v laseh
similarTo be actively fighting/arguing.
kot noč in dan
contrastCompletely different.
gledati se kot vuk in ovca
specialized formTo look at each other like wolf and sheep.
