Signification
One must contribute to get rewards.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'pridnost' is central to Slovenian upbringing. Children are often rewarded for being 'priden' (diligent) rather than just 'pameten' (smart). During the socialist period, this proverb was used to glorify the working class and criticize those who lived off capital or inheritance. In the countryside, this proverb is still taken quite literally during times of 'koline' (traditional pig slaughter) or harvest, where everyone is expected to help. In modern startups in Ljubljana, you might hear a more ironic or English-influenced version, but the underlying sentiment of 'meritocracy' remains.
The 'R' Factor
Remember that 'Kdor' is for people. If you forget the 'r', it sounds like a question.
Don't be too literal
Don't use this if someone is actually starving or sick. It's for lazy people, not the needy.
Signification
One must contribute to get rewards.
The 'R' Factor
Remember that 'Kdor' is for people. If you forget the 'r', it sounds like a question.
Don't be too literal
Don't use this if someone is actually starving or sick. It's for lazy people, not the needy.
Rhyme it!
If you want to sound more like a local, use 'Brez dela ni jela'. It's catchier.
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb with the correct relative pronoun.
____ ne dela, naj ne je.
'Kdor' is the correct relative pronoun meaning 'whoever'.
Which verb form correctly completes the proverb?
Kdor ne dela, naj ne ____.
'je' is the 3rd person singular of 'jesti' (to eat).
Match the Slovenian proverb with its English equivalent or meaning.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for these work-related proverbs.
Choose the best response for the mother in this situation.
Otrok: 'Nočem pospraviti igrač!' Mama: '____'
The proverb is a common parental response to a child refusing to help.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices____ ne dela, naj ne je.
'Kdor' is the correct relative pronoun meaning 'whoever'.
Kdor ne dela, naj ne ____.
'je' is the 3rd person singular of 'jesti' (to eat).
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard translations for these work-related proverbs.
Otrok: 'Nočem pospraviti igrač!' Mama: '____'
The proverb is a common parental response to a child refusing to help.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, very much so! It's a staple of Slovenian parenting and social commentary.
In this proverb, it means 'eats'. It comes from the verb 'jesti'.
It can be. It's better to use it as a joke or in a very clear situation of laziness.
It's a particle that means 'let' or 'should'. It makes the sentence a command.
Not really. It's specifically about human social responsibility.
Yes, 'Brez dela ni jela' is the most common short version.
It has religious origins, but today it is used by everyone, regardless of religion.
It sounds like 'Gdor'. The 'K' becomes a 'G' sound.
Sometimes, to emphasize that everyone needs to contribute to a project's success.
There isn't a direct opposite proverb, but 'Leni ljudje se najbolj utrudijo' (Lazy people get the most tired) is related.
Expressions liées
Brez dela ni jela
similarWithout work, there is no food.
Delo krepi človeka
builds onWork strengthens a person.
Rana ura, zlata ura
similarThe early hour is the golden hour.
Lenoba je vseh grehov mati
contrastLaziness is the mother of all sins.
