Signification
Working very hard and diligently.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'pridnost' is a cornerstone of Slovenian upbringing. Children are often asked 'Ali si bil priden?' (Have you been good/hardworking?), linking moral goodness with productivity. In farming communities, being 'priden kot mravlja' was a matter of survival. Those who didn't work hard during the harvest were looked down upon by the entire village. Many Slovenian poems and stories for children feature ants as protagonists to instill a work ethic from a young age. Even in modern tech startups in Ljubljana, the phrase is used to describe the 'hustle' culture, though it retains its traditional, positive flavor.
Diminutive Power
Use 'mravljica' (little ant) instead of 'mravlja' to make the compliment sound more affectionate, especially with friends or children.
Gender Agreement
Always remember to change 'priden' to 'pridna' for women. It's a small change that makes you sound much more fluent.
Signification
Working very hard and diligently.
Diminutive Power
Use 'mravljica' (little ant) instead of 'mravlja' to make the compliment sound more affectionate, especially with friends or children.
Gender Agreement
Always remember to change 'priden' to 'pridna' for women. It's a small change that makes you sound much more fluent.
The 'Priden' Trap
Don't be surprised if a Slovenian adult calls you 'priden'. They aren't treating you like a child; they are genuinely impressed by your work.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'priden'.
Moja sestra je ________ kot mravlja.
The subject 'sestra' (sister) is feminine singular, so the adjective must be 'pridna'.
Which animal is used in this Slovenian idiom?
Biti priden kot ________.
The standard Slovenian idiom uses 'mravlja' (ant).
Match the person to the description.
Kdo je priden kot mravlja?
The idiom describes someone who works hard and long hours.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Marko je že končal celo knjigo! B: Res je, Marko je ________.
Finishing a whole book quickly suggests diligence and hard work.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMoja sestra je ________ kot mravlja.
The subject 'sestra' (sister) is feminine singular, so the adjective must be 'pridna'.
Biti priden kot ________.
The standard Slovenian idiom uses 'mravlja' (ant).
Kdo je priden kot mravlja?
The idiom describes someone who works hard and long hours.
A: Marko je že končal celo knjigo! B: Res je, Marko je ________.
Finishing a whole book quickly suggests diligence and hard work.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it might sound a bit boastful. It's better to say 'Trudim se biti priden kot mravlja' (I try to be as hardworking as an ant).
Absolutely. It's a very respectful way to acknowledge a colleague's contribution.
The plural is 'mravlje'. When talking about a group, say 'pridni kot mravlje'.
No. For children and pets, it means 'well-behaved' or 'good'. For adults in a work context, it means 'diligent'.
Not directly, but you could say 'Nisi ravno priden kot mravlja' (You aren't exactly as hardworking as an ant) to be sarcastic.
Slovenians love bees (the Carniolan honeybee is a national symbol), but the ant represents the 'carrying' and 'toil' of daily work better than the bee.
Yes, 'delaven kot mravlja' is also correct and slightly more formal.
It is traditional, but still very much in use. It's a 'classic' that never goes out of style.
It's a 'u-v' sound, similar to the 'w' in 'cow'.
You can say they are 'len kot fuks' (lazy as a... well, it's a different idiom!).
Expressions liées
delati kot črna živina
similarTo work like black cattle (very hard).
biti počasen kot polž
contrastTo be slow as a snail.
mravljinci me spreletavajo
builds onI have pins and needles (ants crawling on me).
biti marljiv
synonymTo be industrious.
