Signification
To sleep very deeply.
Contexte culturel
The term 'zaklan' relates to 'koline', the traditional pig slaughter. This was a time of hard work followed by deep rest and celebration, embedding these terms into the language of daily life. Slovenians are avid hikers. The physical exhaustion after reaching a peak is a common cultural touchstone where this idiom is frequently used. Slavic languages often use graphic or 'dark' metaphors for physical states (e.g., 'killed' for tired). This is not seen as negative but as expressive. Even in Ljubljana's tech scene, this idiom survives. It's used to describe the 'burnout' or recovery after a long week of work.
Gender Agreement
Always check if you are talking about a man (zaklan) or a woman (zaklana). It's the most common mistake for learners!
Formal Settings
Avoid using this in a job interview or a very formal meeting. Stick to 'trdno sem spal'.
Signification
To sleep very deeply.
Gender Agreement
Always check if you are talking about a man (zaklan) or a woman (zaklana). It's the most common mistake for learners!
Formal Settings
Avoid using this in a job interview or a very formal meeting. Stick to 'trdno sem spal'.
Sound like a local
Use this after a weekend trip to the mountains. Your Slovenian friends will be impressed by your natural phrasing.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'zaklan' (zaklan, zaklana, zaklani).
Moja mama je bila zelo utrujena, zato je spala kot ______.
The subject is 'mama' (feminine singular), so the adjective must be 'zaklana'.
Which verb correctly completes the idiom?
Včeraj sem ______ kot zaklan.
The idiom is 'spati kot zaklan'.
Match the situation to the most likely use of the idiom.
Situation: You hiked for 8 hours and just woke up after a 10-hour sleep.
Extreme physical exhaustion is the perfect context for this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Si slišal budilko zjutraj? B: Ne, ______.
Sleeping deeply explains why someone wouldn't hear an alarm.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to Sleep in Slovenian
Deep Sleep
- • spati kot zaklan
- • spati kot ubit
- • spati kot kamen
Long/Cute Sleep
- • spati kot polh
- • spati kot medved
Light Sleep
- • imeti rahel spanec
- • spati kot zajec
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMoja mama je bila zelo utrujena, zato je spala kot ______.
The subject is 'mama' (feminine singular), so the adjective must be 'zaklana'.
Včeraj sem ______ kot zaklan.
The idiom is 'spati kot zaklan'.
Situation: You hiked for 8 hours and just woke up after a 10-hour sleep.
Extreme physical exhaustion is the perfect context for this idiom.
A: Si slišal budilko zjutraj? B: Ne, ______.
Sleeping deeply explains why someone wouldn't hear an alarm.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, in this context it is a standard idiom. It doesn't sound violent to native ears.
Yes! 'Moj pes spi kot zaklan' is very common.
Virtually none. 'Zaklan' (slaughtered) and 'ubit' (killed) both mean the same in this idiom.
Yes, 'spati kot polh' (like a dormouse) is considered slightly more polite or 'cute'.
Yes, it must agree with the subject's gender and number.
Not really. It implies a long, heavy sleep, usually overnight.
Yes, it is a universal Slovenian idiom.
You would say 'Celo noč nisem zatisnil očesa' (I didn't close an eye all night).
Absolutely, it's perfect for texting friends.
The concept is A1, but the grammar (agreement) is more A2/B1.
Expressions liées
spati kot polh
similarTo sleep like a dormouse.
spati kot ubit
synonymTo sleep like one who has been killed.
trdno spati
specialized formTo sleep firmly/soundly.
imeti rahel spanec
contrastTo be a light sleeper.
zaspati kot ubit
builds onTo fall asleep instantly.
