Signification
To sleep very soundly.
Contexte culturel
The idiom reflects the country's agrarian roots where physical labor in the forest was common. Wood is a central cultural symbol. In the mountains, 'zaspati kot ubub' is the standard way to describe the sleep after a 'tura' (mountain hike). Archaic words like 'ubub' are preserved in idioms, keeping the language's history alive for modern speakers. Even in cities like Ljubljana, the phrase is used ironically or affectionately to describe a 'lazy Sunday'.
Use the Past Tense
This idiom is most naturally used in the past tense (zaspal sem) to describe a completed night of sleep.
The 'Polh' Alternative
If you want to sound even more Slovenian, use 'spati kot polh' (dormouse) when talking about sleeping in late on a weekend.
Signification
To sleep very soundly.
Use the Past Tense
This idiom is most naturally used in the past tense (zaspal sem) to describe a completed night of sleep.
The 'Polh' Alternative
If you want to sound even more Slovenian, use 'spati kot polh' (dormouse) when talking about sleeping in late on a weekend.
Don't pluralize 'ubub' too much
Even when talking about two people, 'zaspala sta kot ubub' (singular) is often accepted as a fixed phrase.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Včeraj sem bil tako utrujen, da sem zaspal kot ______.
'Ubub' is the specific archaic word used in this idiom.
Which verb is most commonly used with 'kot ubub' to describe the moment of falling asleep?
_____ kot ubub.
'Zaspati' (to fall asleep) is the standard verb for this idiom.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You just finished a 20km marathon and you are going to bed.
The idiom is perfect for extreme physical exhaustion.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Si slišal nevihto ponoči?' B: 'Ne, ______.'
Sleeping like a log explains why you didn't hear a loud noise.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVčeraj sem bil tako utrujen, da sem zaspal kot ______.
'Ubub' is the specific archaic word used in this idiom.
_____ kot ubub.
'Zaspati' (to fall asleep) is the standard verb for this idiom.
You just finished a 20km marathon and you are going to bed.
The idiom is perfect for extreme physical exhaustion.
A: 'Si slišal nevihto ponoči?' B: 'Ne, ______.'
Sleeping like a log explains why you didn't hear a loud noise.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's an old word for a wooden block or stump. It's not used in modern Slovenian except in this phrase.
Not at all! It's a very common and friendly idiom.
Usually no. It implies a very deep, long sleep.
Yes, you can say 'trdno zaspati' (to fall firmly asleep).
Yes, the verb must match: 'zaspal' (m) or 'zaspala' (f).
Yes, that means 'to be sleeping like a log' (the state).
Both are used, but 'ubub' sounds a bit more traditional and idiomatic.
Yes, they learn it from their parents very early on.
Yes, it is a nationally recognized idiom.
Just say 'OO-boop'. The most important part is the 'OO' sound.
Expressions liées
spati kot polh
similarTo sleep like a dormouse.
zaspati kot klada
synonymTo sleep like a log.
spati kot ubit
similarTo sleep like one is dead.
trdno spati
specialized formTo sleep firmly/soundly.
