A1 Idiom 비격식체

Plivati u novcu

To swim in money

To be extremely wealthy.

🌍

문화적 배경

In Croatia, people often use maritime metaphors due to the long coastline. While 'plivati u novcu' is common, 'pun k'o brod' (full like a ship) is a deeply local way to express the same thing. In the wider Balkan region, there is a popular genre of music (Turbo-folk/Trap) where lyrics frequently mention 'plivanje u lovi' as a sign of status and success. The image of Scrooge McDuck (Baja Patak) is universally recognized in Croatia. Many people associate the idiom with the cartoon visual of him diving into his money bin. Older generations might use the phrase with a hint of irony or suspicion, reflecting a time when extreme private wealth was less common and often viewed as 'unearned'.

💡

Use for Emphasis

Don't just say someone is rich. Use this phrase to show you are impressed or surprised by their wealth.

⚠️

Grammar Alert

Always remember the 'u' + Locative. 'Plivati novac' is incorrect and sounds like you are trying to swim the money across a river.

To be extremely wealthy.

💡

Use for Emphasis

Don't just say someone is rich. Use this phrase to show you are impressed or surprised by their wealth.

⚠️

Grammar Alert

Always remember the 'u' + Locative. 'Plivati novac' is incorrect and sounds like you are trying to swim the money across a river.

💬

Sarcasm Check

Be careful with your tone. If said with a sneer, it can sound like you're criticizing someone for being too rich or greedy.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the correct form of the word 'novac'.

Oni su jako bogati, oni plivaju u ______.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: novcu

After the preposition 'u' indicating location, we use the Locative case: novcu.

Which sentence is the most natural way to say someone is very rich?

Kako kažemo da je netko jako bogat?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: On pliva u novcu.

The idiom specifically uses the verb 'plivati' (to swim).

Complete the dialogue with the correct verb form.

Ana: 'Vidiš li onu veliku kuću?' Marko: 'Da, vlasnici sigurno ______ u novcu.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: plivaju

The subject is 'vlasnici' (owners, plural), so the verb must be in the 3rd person plural: plivaju.

Match the idiom to the situation.

Someone just won 10 million euros on the lottery.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Pliva u novcu.

Winning a large sum of money is the perfect situation for this idiom.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

When to use 'Plivati u novcu'

🌟

Celebrities

  • Actors
  • Singers
  • Athletes
🍀

Luck

  • Lottery
  • Inheritance
  • Found treasure
📈

Business

  • CEOs
  • Tech giants
  • Monopolies

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Fill in the correct form of the word 'novac'. Fill Blank A1

Oni su jako bogati, oni plivaju u ______.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: novcu

After the preposition 'u' indicating location, we use the Locative case: novcu.

Which sentence is the most natural way to say someone is very rich? Choose A1

Kako kažemo da je netko jako bogat?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: On pliva u novcu.

The idiom specifically uses the verb 'plivati' (to swim).

Complete the dialogue with the correct verb form. dialogue_completion A2

Ana: 'Vidiš li onu veliku kuću?' Marko: 'Da, vlasnici sigurno ______ u novcu.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: plivaju

The subject is 'vlasnici' (owners, plural), so the verb must be in the 3rd person plural: plivaju.

Match the idiom to the situation. situation_matching A1

Someone just won 10 million euros on the lottery.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Pliva u novcu.

Winning a large sum of money is the perfect situation for this idiom.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Not inherently, but it is informal. It's like saying 'filthy rich' in English—it depends on your tone.

Yes, you can say a company 'pliva u novcu' if they just had a record-breaking year.

The opposite would be 'plivati u dugovima' (swimming in debts) or 'nemati ni lipe' (not having a cent).

In this idiom, yes. You must use the Locative case form of 'novac'.

You can, and people will understand, but 'u novcu' is the fixed idiomatic form.

Yes, very frequently in casual conversation and media headlines.

Absolutely! The words are basic, and the concept is easy to visualize.

On je plivao, ona je plivala, oni su plivali.

No, it's too informal. Use 'visoka primanja' or 'financijska stabilnost' instead.

Yes, they are synonyms, but 'pun k'o brod' is more common in coastal regions.

관련 표현

🔄

Pun k'o brod

synonym

Extremely rich

🔄

Imati novca kao blata

synonym

To have money like dirt

🔗

Valjati se u lovi

similar

To roll in cash

🔗

Nema pas za što da ga ugrize

contrast

To be dirt poor

🔗

Prati novac

confusing

Money laundering

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