A1 Idiom Informel

Prodajati meglo

To sell fog

Signification

To talk nonsense or deceive.

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Contexte culturel

Slovenians are known for being pragmatic and hardworking. 'Selling fog' is one of the worst insults for a professional because it implies a lack of 'vsebina' (substance). In the wider Balkan region, similar phrases exist (e.g., 'prodavati maglu' in Croatian/Serbian). It reflects a shared historical skepticism toward bureaucracy. Modern Slovenian startups often use English buzzwords. Older generations often dismiss this as 'prodajanje megle v angleščini' (selling fog in English). Slovenian investigative journalists often use this phrase in titles of articles exposing corruption or failed government projects.

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Use the Noun Form

You can use 'prodajanje megle' as a subject. Example: 'Prodajanje megle je v politiki običajno.'

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Don't be too rude

Calling someone a 'prodajalec megle' to their face is a strong accusation. Use it carefully in professional settings.

Signification

To talk nonsense or deceive.

💡

Use the Noun Form

You can use 'prodajanje megle' as a subject. Example: 'Prodajanje megle je v politiki običajno.'

⚠️

Don't be too rude

Calling someone a 'prodajalec megle' to their face is a strong accusation. Use it carefully in professional settings.

🎯

Perfective vs Imperfective

Use 'prodal mi je meglo' if you actually lost money or were successfully tricked.

Teste-toi

Fill in the correct form of the noun 'megla'.

Ne verjemi mu, on samo prodaja ______.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : meglo

The verb 'prodajati' requires the accusative case, which for the feminine noun 'megla' is 'meglo'.

Which situation best fits the phrase 'prodajati meglo'?

Katera situacija je 'prodajanje megle'?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Politik obljublja brezplačna stanovanja vsem, a nima denarja.

Empty promises without a financial basis are the definition of 'selling fog'.

Match the Slovenian phrase with its English equivalent.

Poveži pare:

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Prodajati meglo -> To sell hot air; Mešati meglo -> To waste time; Prodajati bučke -> To tell tall tales; Nategovati -> To scam

Each variation has a slightly different nuance in Slovenian.

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.

A: 'Ali bo projekt končan jutri?' B: 'Direktor pravi, da mogoče, če bo sonce sijalo...' A: 'Spet ______ ______!'

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : prodaja meglo

The director is giving a vague, nonsensical answer, so he is 'selling fog'.

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

Selling vs. Stirring

Prodajati meglo
Deception Prevara
Mešati meglo
Wasting time Zapravljanje časa

Banque d exercices

4 exercices
Fill in the correct form of the noun 'megla'. Fill Blank A1

Ne verjemi mu, on samo prodaja ______.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : meglo

The verb 'prodajati' requires the accusative case, which for the feminine noun 'megla' is 'meglo'.

Which situation best fits the phrase 'prodajati meglo'? Choose A2

Katera situacija je 'prodajanje megle'?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Politik obljublja brezplačna stanovanja vsem, a nima denarja.

Empty promises without a financial basis are the definition of 'selling fog'.

Match the Slovenian phrase with its English equivalent. Match B1

Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Prodajati meglo -> To sell hot air; Mešati meglo -> To waste time; Prodajati bučke -> To tell tall tales; Nategovati -> To scam

Each variation has a slightly different nuance in Slovenian.

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase. dialogue_completion A2

A: 'Ali bo projekt končan jutri?' B: 'Direktor pravi, da mogoče, če bo sonce sijalo...' A: 'Spet ______ ______!'

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : prodaja meglo

The director is giving a vague, nonsensical answer, so he is 'selling fog'.

🎉 Score : /4

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is informal and critical, but not a swear word. It's like calling someone a 'bullshitter' but slightly more poetic.

No, it's usually for bigger deceptions or empty promises, not small social lies.

The opposite would be 'govoriti dejstva' (speaking facts) or 'biti konkreten' (being concrete).

Yes, Croatian and Serbian use 'prodavati maglu', which is identical.

No, that's a literal translation from other languages. In Slovenian, it's always 'megla'.

You use the perfective: 'Prodal mi je meglo.'

Yes, you can say 'zavajati' (to mislead) or 'dajati prazne obljube' (giving empty promises).

Yes, if the seller lied about its features, they were selling fog.

Yes, as long as it's the object of 'prodajati'.

A person who habitually lies or makes empty promises, often a politician or a bad salesman.

Expressions liées

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Mešati meglo

similar

To stir fog / To waste time

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Prodajati bučke

similar

To sell little pumpkins

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Nategovati ljudi

synonym

To scam people

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Prazne obljube

synonym

Empty promises

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Lati se dela

contrast

To get to work

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