Signification
Don't celebrate success until it's finished.
Contexte culturel
Slovenians value 'skromnost' (modesty). Bragging is generally looked down upon, and this proverb is a tool used to keep people humble. In the mountains, weather changes are life-threatening. This proverb is taken very literally by hikers and farmers. Slovenian sports fans are notoriously cautious. Because of many 'heartbreak' losses in the final seconds, this phrase is a mantra for fans. The proverb is part of 'kmečka pamet' (peasant wisdom), which is still highly respected even in urban centers like Ljubljana.
Grammar Hack
Always use 'dneva' (genitive) because of the 'ne'. If you say 'dan', people will understand you, but it will sound like a typical learner mistake.
Social Lubricant
Using this phrase makes you sound very 'Slovenian'. It shows you understand the local value of modesty and caution.
Signification
Don't celebrate success until it's finished.
Grammar Hack
Always use 'dneva' (genitive) because of the 'ne'. If you say 'dan', people will understand you, but it will sound like a typical learner mistake.
Social Lubricant
Using this phrase makes you sound very 'Slovenian'. It shows you understand the local value of modesty and caution.
Don't be a Killjoy
Use it to warn about *uncertainty*, not to ruin someone's genuine happiness about a finished task.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the genitive case.
Ne hvali _______ pred večerom.
The verb 'hvaliti' is negated by 'ne', which requires the genitive case 'dneva'.
In which situation is this proverb MOST appropriate?
Your friend is winning a marathon but there are still 5 kilometers left.
The proverb is a warning against premature celebration while the event is still ongoing.
Choose the correct translation for: 'Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.'
Kateri slovenski pregovor je najbolj podoben angleškemu?
Both proverbs warn against assuming success before it is finalized.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
A: 'Mislim, da bomo zmagali!' B: 'Tiho bodi, _______.'
This is the standard, grammatically correct form of the proverb.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNe hvali _______ pred večerom.
The verb 'hvaliti' is negated by 'ne', which requires the genitive case 'dneva'.
Your friend is winning a marathon but there are still 5 kilometers left.
The proverb is a warning against premature celebration while the event is still ongoing.
Kateri slovenski pregovor je najbolj podoben angleškemu?
Both proverbs warn against assuming success before it is finalized.
A: 'Mislim, da bomo zmagali!' B: 'Tiho bodi, _______.'
This is the standard, grammatically correct form of the proverb.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, although maybe less frequently than by older generations. Young people often use it ironically or when talking about sports.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in a professional context to express caution regarding a deal or project.
Because of the 'rodilnik ob zanikanju' (genitive of negation) rule in Slovenian grammar.
Not really, but people might just say 'Ne hvali prehitro' (Don't praise too early).
Exactly the same. The only difference is the imagery used.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
'Dober dan se po jutru pozna' (A good day is known by the morning).
No, it is specifically about not praising something *good* too early.
It is singular, in the instrumental case.
Yes, versions exist in Croatian, Serbian, and Russian, but the Slovenian one is very standard.
Expressions liées
Ne reci hop, dokler ne skočiš
synonymDon't say 'hop' until you jump.
Konec dober, vse dobro
builds onAll's well that ends well.
Sreča je opoteča
similarLuck is fickle.
Po toči zvoniti je prepozno
contrastIt's too late to ring the bells after the hail has fallen.
