A1 Proverb 비격식체

Darovanému koni na zuby nekoukej.

Don't look at a gift horse's teeth.

Be grateful for gifts.

🌍

문화적 배경

Czechs often use this proverb to teach children modesty. It is a core part of 'slušné vychování' (good upbringing). In farming communities, the horse was the most valuable possession. This proverb carries the weight of centuries of agricultural history. Used frequently in online forums (like Reddit or Czech tech sites) when users complain about free software or open-source tools. Reflects a transition from a society of scarcity (where any gift was precious) to a consumer society (where people are more critical).

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Shorten it

In casual talk, you can just say 'Darovaný kůň...' and people will know exactly what you mean.

⚠️

Don't be rude

Saying this to someone who just gave you a gift might sound like you're calling their gift bad! Use it to talk *about* gifts, not always *to* the giver.

Be grateful for gifts.

💡

Shorten it

In casual talk, you can just say 'Darovaný kůň...' and people will know exactly what you mean.

⚠️

Don't be rude

Saying this to someone who just gave you a gift might sound like you're calling their gift bad! Use it to talk *about* gifts, not always *to* the giver.

💬

The 'Huba' variant

Using 'do huby' instead of 'na zuby' makes you sound like a villager from a 19th-century novel. Use it for comedic effect!

셀프 테스트

Fill in the missing words in the proverb.

Darovanému ______ na ______ nekoukej.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: a

The correct words are 'koni' (horse) and 'zuby' (teeth).

In which situation would you use this proverb?

Your friend gives you his old bike for free, but the chain is rusty.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: b

The proverb applies to gifts and free items.

Which case is 'darovanému koni'?

Identify the grammatical case.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: c

It is the Dative case, used here for the recipient of the 'looking' action in this idiom.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Ten oběd zdarma v práci byl docela slaný. B: ________.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: b

B is reminding A to be grateful for the free lunch.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

When to use this phrase

🎁

Gifts

  • Birthdays
  • Christmas
  • Surprises
🤝

Favors

  • Free help
  • Advice
  • Lifts
💾

Digital

  • Free apps
  • Open source
  • PDFs

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Fill in the missing words in the proverb. Fill Blank A1

Darovanému ______ na ______ nekoukej.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: a

The correct words are 'koni' (horse) and 'zuby' (teeth).

In which situation would you use this proverb? situation_matching A1

Your friend gives you his old bike for free, but the chain is rusty.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: b

The proverb applies to gifts and free items.

Which case is 'darovanému koni'? Choose B1

Identify the grammatical case.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: c

It is the Dative case, used here for the recipient of the 'looking' action in this idiom.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: Ten oběd zdarma v práci byl docela slaný. B: ________.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: b

B is reminding A to be grateful for the free lunch.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

It can be. If you say it to someone who is complaining, it's a correction. If you say it to the person who gave you the gift, it implies you think the gift is flawed.

Yes, but it sounds less like the traditional proverb. 'Nekoukej' is the standard idiomatic choice.

Technically, the proverb still applies! But in modern times, if a gift is dangerous or completely useless, the rule is often ignored.

Because the phrase implies a direction of the gaze 'towards' the horse, which triggers the Dative case in this specific idiom.

Yes, it is one of the most common proverbs in the Czech language and is used by all ages.

No, the horse is the only animal used in this proverb across Europe.

Using the wrong case for 'horse' (nominative instead of dative).

Only if the relationship is very casual. Otherwise, it's too informal.

In the proverb, yes. But you can apply it to any gift (phones, clothes, help).

It's a colloquial verb meaning 'to look' or 'to stare'.

관련 표현

🔗

Zadarmo ani kuře nehrabe

contrast

Nothing is truly free.

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Host do domu, bůh do domu

similar

A guest in the house is God in the house.

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Kdo dřív přijde, ten dřív mele

builds on

First come, first served.

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Nehas, co tě nepálí

similar

Don't fight fires that don't burn you.

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