Meaning
Something that is very annoying.
Cultural Background
Complaining is often seen as a way to be 'one of the group'. If you never complain about anything, people might think you are being fake or arrogant. In Czech offices, it's common to use this phrase about bureaucracy or slow processes. It signals that you are a hard worker who is frustrated by obstacles. You will often hear this on trams or buses when there is a delay. It's a shared public sentiment. Czech parents are quite direct. They will tell their children 'Lezeš mi na nervy' more readily than parents in more 'positive-only' parenting cultures.
Use 'hrozně'
Add 'hrozně' (terribly) before 'leze' to sound more like a native speaker when you are really annoyed.
Directness
Saying 'Lezeš mi na nervy' directly to a stranger is very aggressive. Use it for situations or people you know well.
Meaning
Something that is very annoying.
Use 'hrozně'
Add 'hrozně' (terribly) before 'leze' to sound more like a native speaker when you are really annoyed.
Directness
Saying 'Lezeš mi na nervy' directly to a stranger is very aggressive. Use it for situations or people you know well.
The 'To' is flexible
You can replace 'to' with any noun: 'Ta hudba mi leze na nervy.'
The Art of Complaining
Don't be afraid to use this to start a conversation. It's a very Czech way to break the ice.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct dative pronoun (mi, ti, mu, nám).
Ten hluk ___ (me) leze na nervy.
The phrase always uses the dative 'mi' for 'me'.
Which sentence is correct?
Express that 'You are annoying me.'
'Nervy' must be plural and the pronoun must be dative 'mi'.
Match the situation to the best use of the phrase.
Situation: Your computer is very slow and you have a deadline.
Slow technology is a perfect reason to use this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Proč jsi tak naštvaný? B: Protože ten soused zase vrtá. Hrozně mi to ___ na nervy.
The verb 'lézt' (to crawl) is the only one used in this specific idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Intensity of Annoyance
Practice Bank
4 exercisesTen hluk ___ (me) leze na nervy.
The phrase always uses the dative 'mi' for 'me'.
Express that 'You are annoying me.'
'Nervy' must be plural and the pronoun must be dative 'mi'.
Situation: Your computer is very slow and you have a deadline.
Slow technology is a perfect reason to use this idiom.
A: Proč jsi tak naštvaný? B: Protože ten soused zase vrtá. Hrozně mi to ___ na nervy.
The verb 'lézt' (to crawl) is the only one used in this specific idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt depends on the target. About a situation (traffic), it's fine. To a person's face, it's quite rude.
Yes: 'Lezlo mi to na nervy.'
'Štve mě to' is slightly stronger and more informal.
Only if you have a very close, informal relationship. Otherwise, no.
Yes, in this idiom it is always plural.
You could say 'Velmi mě to znepokojuje' or 'Je to iritující'.
No, it is strictly for mental/emotional irritation.
It means to crawl or climb (like a bug or a climber).
Leze jí to na nervy.
Yes, it's one of the most common idioms in Czech cinema.
Yes, if the thing is annoying you persistently.
Mostly. 'Mi' and 'to' usually follow the first stressed word.
Yes, if the smell is persistent and annoying.
Yes, Slovak has the identical 'Lezie mi to na nervy'.
Related Phrases
Pít někomu krev
similarTo drink someone's blood
Mít toho plné zuby
similarTo have one's teeth full of it
Štvát někoho
synonymTo annoy/piss off someone
Lézt krkem
similarTo crawl up the throat
