Signification
To be extremely busy with many tasks.
Contexte culturel
During a 'Slava' (Patron Saint Day), the host family has 'pune ruke posla' for days. This involves making 'sarma,' 'pogača,' and various 'sitni kolači.' It is a point of pride to be this busy. In Serbia, 'going for coffee' is a primary social activity. Using 'imam pune ruke posla' is one of the few socially acceptable reasons to decline a coffee invite without offending the other person. In villages, 'pune ruke posla' often refers to seasonal labor like 'pečenje rakije' (distilling brandy) or 'svinjokolj' (autumn pig harvest). These are communal events where everyone is busy. Serbian students often face 'ispitni rokovi' (exam periods) where they take multiple exams in a few weeks. During this time, the phrase is used to signal total social withdrawal.
The 'Posla' Secret
Remember that 'posla' is Genitive. If you just say 'posao', it sounds like you are holding a physical object named 'Job'.
Don't overdo it
If you say this every day, people might think you are bad at time management! Use it for truly busy periods.
Signification
To be extremely busy with many tasks.
The 'Posla' Secret
Remember that 'posla' is Genitive. If you just say 'posao', it sounds like you are holding a physical object named 'Job'.
Don't overdo it
If you say this every day, people might think you are bad at time management! Use it for truly busy periods.
The Polite Decline
In Serbia, this is the most polite way to say 'no' to a social invitation without needing to give a long explanation.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct case.
Izvini, ne mogu sada da pričam, imam pune ruke _______.
The idiom requires the Genitive case 'posla'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I am very busy'?
Kako se kaže 'I am very busy' koristeći idiom?
This is the standard form of the idiom.
Match the Serbian phrase with its English equivalent.
Spoji fraze:
All pairs are correctly matched to show levels of busy-ness.
Complete the dialogue.
Ana: 'Hoćeš li doći na moju zabavu?' Marko: 'Voleo bih, ali taj dan _______.'
Marko is explaining why he cannot attend by using the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIzvini, ne mogu sada da pričam, imam pune ruke _______.
The idiom requires the Genitive case 'posla'.
Kako se kaže 'I am very busy' koristeći idiom?
This is the standard form of the idiom.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All pairs are correctly matched to show levels of busy-ness.
Ana: 'Hoćeš li doći na moju zabavu?' Marko: 'Voleo bih, ali taj dan _______.'
Marko is explaining why he cannot attend by using the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
6 questionsUsually no. It implies a 'fullness' or variety of tasks. For one task, just say 'Radim na nečemu' (I'm working on something).
Yes, it is neutral and professional. It's a great way to explain why you can't take on a new assignment immediately.
'Zauzet sam' simply means 'I am busy.' 'Imati pune ruke posla' is more descriptive and idiomatic, suggesting you are actively working on many things.
It's not a standard idiom, but people would understand you. However, 'Imam gomilu problema' (I have a pile of problems) is more common.
Use the future tense of imati: 'Imaću pune ruke posla.'
Yes, it is identical and equally common in Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian.
Expressions liées
Biti u gužvi
similarTo be in a crowd/rush.
Imati posla preko glave
builds onTo have work over one's head.
Besposličariti
contrastTo idle or do nothing.
Zasukati rukave
similarTo roll up one's sleeves.
