Signification
To be very surprised or looking carefully.
Contexte culturel
In Slovenian villages, 'imeti oči na pecljih' is often associated with the 'vaški čenče' (village gossip). It's a lighthearted way to acknowledge that everyone knows everyone's business. In the coastal regions, the imagery might also be linked to crabs (raki), which also have eyes on stalks, though the snail remains the primary mental image. Younger generations use this phrase ironically on social media to react to 'cringe' or 'tea' (gossip), showing the idiom's adaptability to modern digital life. Many Slavic languages use 'eye' metaphors for shock, but the specific 'stalk' (pecelj) is a distinct feature of the South Slavic branch, particularly Slovenian and Croatian.
Use with 'kar'
Add 'kar' (just/simply) for emphasis: 'Oči so mu kar skočile na peclje!' It makes you sound more native.
Mind the Case
Don't say 'na peclje' unless you are describing the eyes *moving* to that position. For the state of being surprised, use 'na pecljih'.
Signification
To be very surprised or looking carefully.
Use with 'kar'
Add 'kar' (just/simply) for emphasis: 'Oči so mu kar skočile na peclje!' It makes you sound more native.
Mind the Case
Don't say 'na peclje' unless you are describing the eyes *moving* to that position. For the state of being surprised, use 'na pecljih'.
The 'Nosy' Nuance
If you call someone 'radoveden kot polž' (curious as a snail), it's a direct link to this idiom.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'imeti'.
Ko sem videl pajka, ___ oči na pecljih.
Since the sentence starts with 'Ko sem videl' (masculine past), the answer must be 'sem imel'.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
Kdaj imaš oči na pecljih?
The idiom is used for surprise, not sleeping, eating, or pain.
Match the Slovenian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the three main ways the phrase and its components are used.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Si videla tisto ogromno torto?' B: 'Ja! ___.'
The idiom 'imeti oči na pecljih' correctly expresses the shock/amazement at seeing the cake.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKo sem videl pajka, ___ oči na pecljih.
Since the sentence starts with 'Ko sem videl' (masculine past), the answer must be 'sem imel'.
Kdaj imaš oči na pecljih?
The idiom is used for surprise, not sleeping, eating, or pain.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the three main ways the phrase and its components are used.
A: 'Si videla tisto ogromno torto?' B: 'Ja! ___.'
The idiom 'imeti oči na pecljih' correctly expresses the shock/amazement at seeing the cake.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is informal. You can use it with friends and family, but maybe not with your boss unless you have a very close relationship.
Usually, it's for surprise or curiosity. For fear, we usually say 'oči so se mu razširile' (his eyes widened).
Outside of this idiom, 'pecelj' is used for the stem of a cherry or a leaf. It's a common botanical term.
You would say 'Gledam te z očmi na pecljih,' which implies you are watching very, very closely.
Technically yes ('oko na peclju'), but it's rarely used because surprise usually affects both eyes!
It's better to use 'izraziti veliko presenečenje' (to express great surprise) in formal writing.
Primarily a snail (polž), but sometimes a crab (rak).
No, 'all ears' is 'biti samouho'. This is 'all eyes'.
Yes, Croatian has 'imati oči na peteljkama', which is very similar.
Yes, it's one of the most common idioms for surprise in Slovenia.
Expressions liées
Strmeti kot tele v nova vrata
similarTo stare like a calf at a new gate.
Vzeti pod lupo
builds onTo take under a magnifying glass.
Ziniti od presenečenja
similarTo gape from surprise.
Biti eno samo oko
synonymTo be all eyes.
