Signification
Experiencing unfortunate events.
Contexte culturel
In Slovenia, 'smola' is often used in sports commentary. If a Slovenian skier misses a gate by a centimeter, the commentator will almost always blame 'smola' rather than skill. The literal 'smola' (resin) was historically collected in the Alps for making turpentine and medicines. This deep connection to the forest makes the idiom feel very 'local'. The 'pitch/resin' metaphor for bad luck is a shared cultural trait across the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, including Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Younger Slovenians might use 'smola' ironically or sarcastically when a friend complains about something very minor.
Use it for sympathy
If a friend tells you something went wrong, just say 'O, kakšna smola!' It makes you sound very empathetic and native.
Don't be too serious
Remember that 'smola' is for inconveniences. Using it for a serious illness might sound like you don't care.
Signification
Experiencing unfortunate events.
Use it for sympathy
If a friend tells you something went wrong, just say 'O, kakšna smola!' It makes you sound very empathetic and native.
Don't be too serious
Remember that 'smola' is for inconveniences. Using it for a serious illness might sound like you don't care.
The 'Sticky' connection
If you forget the word, think of a sticky tree. The word for that stickiness is your word for bad luck.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'imeti smolo'.
Včeraj sem ___ ___ z avtobusom.
Since it happened 'včeraj' (yesterday), we need the past tense. Both 'imel' (masculine) and 'imela' (feminine) could be correct depending on the speaker, but 'imel smolo' is the standard masculine form.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I have bad luck'?
Izberi pravilno poved:
In Slovenian, we use the verb 'imeti' (to have) and the noun 'smola' in the accusative case 'smolo'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Tvoj prijatelj je izgubil ključe. Kaj mu rečeš?
'Kakšna smola!' is the standard way to express sympathy for a minor misfortune.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Zakaj si žalosten?' B: 'Ker ___ ___ pri testu.'
The speaker is explaining why they are sad about a past test result.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Smola vs. Nesreča
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVčeraj sem ___ ___ z avtobusom.
Since it happened 'včeraj' (yesterday), we need the past tense. Both 'imel' (masculine) and 'imela' (feminine) could be correct depending on the speaker, but 'imel smolo' is the standard masculine form.
Izberi pravilno poved:
In Slovenian, we use the verb 'imeti' (to have) and the noun 'smola' in the accusative case 'smolo'.
Tvoj prijatelj je izgubil ključe. Kaj mu rečeš?
'Kakšna smola!' is the standard way to express sympathy for a minor misfortune.
A: 'Zakaj si žalosten?' B: 'Ker ___ ___ pri testu.'
The speaker is explaining why they are sad about a past test result.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, 'smola' already implies it is bad. You can say 'veliko smolo' (great bad luck) but not 'slabo'.
Not at all. It is a perfectly polite, though informal, way to talk about misfortune.
The opposite is 'imeti srečo' (to have luck/be lucky).
Yes, if you are explaining a gap in your CV or a project that failed due to external reasons, but keep it professional.
Mostly yes, but you can say a project or a team 'ima smolo'.
Because it is the object of the verb 'to have'. In Slovenian, objects go into the accusative case.
Yes, it is a universal idiom across all Slovenian dialects.
Only if it was a very minor 'fender bender'. For a real accident, use 'prometna nesreča'.
You say 'Imam smolo' (I have bad luck) or 'Sem nesrečen' (though this usually means 'I am unhappy').
Technically 'smole' exists, but the idiom is almost always used in the singular.
Expressions liées
imeti srečo
contrastTo have good luck
imeti nesrečo
similarTo have an accident or major misfortune
smola se ga drži
builds onBad luck is sticking to him
biti v godlji
similarTo be in a mess/stew
kakšna smola
specialized formWhat bad luck!
