मतलब
To refuse responsibility for something
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Croatia, 'pranje ruku' is a very common headline in political newspapers. It reflects a general public cynicism towards politicians who avoid accountability. The gesture of brushing hands together while saying this is common in Dalmatia and Istria, emphasizing the 'shaking off' of responsibility. Because Croatia is a predominantly Catholic country, the reference to Pontius Pilate is understood by almost everyone, even those who aren't religious. Using this phrase in a Croatian office is a strong 'stop' signal. It is respected as a way of saying 'I have reached my limit.'
Use 'Oprati' for finality
If you want to sound like you've made a final decision, use the perfective 'oprao sam ruke.'
Don't use with 'za'
Remember: 'od' (from) is the only preposition that works for the idiom.
मतलब
To refuse responsibility for something
Use 'Oprati' for finality
If you want to sound like you've made a final decision, use the perfective 'oprao sam ruke.'
Don't use with 'za'
Remember: 'od' (from) is the only preposition that works for the idiom.
The Pilate Reference
If you want to sound very educated, add 'kao Poncije Pilat' to the end of the phrase.
Body Language
A small shrug of the shoulders while saying this makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the missing preposition and noun case.
On je oprao ruke ______ (taj problem).
The idiom always uses 'od' + Genitive case.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the correct usage:
The first is literal, the second is idiomatic. Both are grammatically correct.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Your boss asks you to lie to a client, and you refuse.
This expresses your refusal to be part of an unethical situation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Hoćeš li nam pomoći s popravkom auta?' B: 'Ne, već sam tri puta pokušao. Sad ______.'
B is giving up on the difficult task.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासOn je oprao ruke ______ (taj problem).
The idiom always uses 'od' + Genitive case.
Select the correct usage:
The first is literal, the second is idiomatic. Both are grammatically correct.
Situation: Your boss asks you to lie to a client, and you refuse.
This expresses your refusal to be part of an unethical situation.
A: 'Hoćeš li nam pomoći s popravkom auta?' B: 'Ne, već sam tri puta pokušao. Sad ______.'
B is giving up on the difficult task.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालIt can be. It's firm. Use it when you are justified in leaving a situation, but avoid it if you're just being lazy.
Yes, 'oprati ruke od nekoga' means you are done helping or dealing with that person.
'Prati' is the process (I am washing), 'oprati' is the result (I have washed/I am done).
Not exactly, but 'dići ruke' (to lift hands) is a very common informal alternative.
No, the water is implied by the verb 'prati.'
Only if you are explaining why you left a previous toxic situation, but be careful not to sound like a quitter.
Yes, if a coach 'washes their hands' of a player who won't follow rules.
The Genitive case. Always.
Close, but 'washing hands' specifically implies you are avoiding the *blame* for the failure.
No, in Croatian we don't use possessive pronouns for body parts if it's obvious whose they are. Just 'perem ruke.'
संबंधित मुहावरे
Okrenuti leđa
similarTo turn one's back on someone.
Čiste ruke
builds onTo have clean hands (to be honest).
Boli me briga
similarI don't care.
Dići ruke od nečega
synonymTo raise hands from something (to give up).
