Signification
To be very cold.
Contexte culturel
Slovenians often use weather-related idioms to start conversations. Complaining about the cold is a way to bond with strangers at a bus stop or in a shop. In the mountains, this phrase is taken more seriously. It often leads to the 'ritual' of drinking 'šnops' (schnapps) to 'warm the bones'. Even though it's warmer, the 'Burja' wind makes it feel colder. People here use the phrase to describe the wind's piercing effect. In the capital, the phrase is frequently used by students and office workers complaining about the lack of heating in old city-center buildings.
Gender Agreement
Always remember to change the verb ending: -il for men, -ila for women. This is the most common mistake for A1 learners.
Don't use for food
If you want to say meat is frozen, just say 'meso je zmrznjeno'. Do not use 'kot kost'.
Signification
To be very cold.
Gender Agreement
Always remember to change the verb ending: -il for men, -ila for women. This is the most common mistake for A1 learners.
Don't use for food
If you want to say meat is frozen, just say 'meso je zmrznjeno'. Do not use 'kot kost'.
Add 'čisto'
To sound more native, add 'čisto' (completely): 'Čisto sem zmrznil kot kost!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'zmrzniti' for a woman speaking.
Včeraj sem zunaj ________ kot kost.
Since the speaker is a woman (indicated by the feminine context), the verb must end in -la.
Which animal is used in the other common Slovenian 'cold' idiom?
Zebe me kot ______.
The idiom is 'zebsti kot psa' (to be as cold as a dog).
Match the situation to the most likely use of the idiom.
Situation: You are at a bus stop in January and your hands are blue.
This idiom perfectly describes the physical state of being extremely cold in winter.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Zapri okno, prosim! B: Zakaj? A: Ker sem že ________.
Option A is the correct masculine form of the idiom. Option B mixes up the idioms.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVčeraj sem zunaj ________ kot kost.
Since the speaker is a woman (indicated by the feminine context), the verb must end in -la.
Zebe me kot ______.
The idiom is 'zebsti kot psa' (to be as cold as a dog).
Situation: You are at a bus stop in January and your hands are blue.
This idiom perfectly describes the physical state of being extremely cold in winter.
A: Zapri okno, prosim! B: Zakaj? A: Ker sem že ________.
Option A is the correct masculine form of the idiom. Option B mixes up the idioms.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's better to use it for extreme cold. For a slight chill, just say 'malo me zebe'.
Not at all. It's a very common, friendly way to complain about the weather.
Because bones are deep inside. It means the cold has gone through your skin and clothes.
Only if you are talking about a group: 'Zmrznili smo kot kosti.'
Yes, 'zmrznjen k' keks' (frozen like a cookie) is sometimes heard, but 'kost' is more common.
Probably not. It's a bit too informal. Stick to 'Zunaj je precej hladno'.
No, it just means you are very cold. 'Zmrzniti do smrti' means to actually die from cold.
There isn't a direct 'bone' opposite for heat, but you can say 'švicam kot konj' (I am sweating like a horse).
Yes! 'Moj pes je zmrznil kot kost' is perfectly fine.
Yes, it is a universal Slovenian idiom understood from the coast to the mountains.
Expressions liées
zebsti kot psa
synonymTo be as cold as a dog.
mraz pritiska
similarThe cold is pressing.
biti v rožicah
contrastTo be in the flowers (to be tipsy/warm).
prezebati do kosti
builds onTo be chilled to the bone.
