A1 Proverb Neutral

Dva puta mjeri, jednom reži

Measure twice, cut once

Bedeutung

Be careful before acting

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Kultureller Hintergrund

In Croatia, this proverb is often associated with 'domaćinstvo' (home economics). It's taught to children as a fundamental life lesson about not wasting resources. In the coastal regions, the pace of life is slower ('pomalo'). Here, the proverb is used to justify taking one's time and not being pressured by 'city' speed. In the agricultural east, this applies to land and harvest. Making a mistake in planting or boundary marking is a serious matter. Modern Croatian startups are beginning to adopt 'agile' methods, but the traditional 'measure twice' mentality still dominates in banking and law.

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The 'Dva Put' Shortcut

In casual conversation, Croatians often say 'Dva put' mjeri' instead of 'Dva puta'. It sounds more natural and less like a textbook.

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Don't be a 'Picajzla'

If you measure *too* many times, people might call you a 'picajzla' (a nitpicker). Balance caution with action!

Bedeutung

Be careful before acting

💡

The 'Dva Put' Shortcut

In casual conversation, Croatians often say 'Dva put' mjeri' instead of 'Dva puta'. It sounds more natural and less like a textbook.

⚠️

Don't be a 'Picajzla'

If you measure *too* many times, people might call you a 'picajzla' (a nitpicker). Balance caution with action!

💬

The Power of Proverbs

Using a proverb like this in a business meeting will instantly make you sound more fluent and culturally integrated.

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.

Dva puta ______, jednom ______.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: mjeri / reži

The standard form uses 'mjeri' (measure) and 'reži' (cut).

Which situation best fits the proverb 'Dva puta mjeri, jednom reži'?

Situations: A) You are hungry. B) You are buying an expensive house. C) You are running a race.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: B

Buying a house is a major, irreversible decision that requires careful checking.

What is the figurative meaning of this phrase?

Dva puta mjeri, jednom reži means:

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: You should think carefully before acting.

The phrase is a metaphor for prudence and caution.

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.

Marko: 'Idem odmah dati otkaz!' Prijatelj: 'Čekaj, Marko! ______.'

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Dva puta mjeri, jednom reži

The friend is advising Marko not to quit his job impulsively.

Match the Croatian word to its English literal meaning in the proverb.

1. Dva puta, 2. Mjeri, 3. Jednom, 4. Reži

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 1-Twice, 2-Measure, 3-Once, 4-Cut

Direct translation of the components.

🎉 Ergebnis: /5

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Aufgabensammlung

5 Aufgaben
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb. Fill Blank A1

Dva puta ______, jednom ______.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: mjeri / reži

The standard form uses 'mjeri' (measure) and 'reži' (cut).

Which situation best fits the proverb 'Dva puta mjeri, jednom reži'? situation_matching A2

Situations: A) You are hungry. B) You are buying an expensive house. C) You are running a race.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: B

Buying a house is a major, irreversible decision that requires careful checking.

What is the figurative meaning of this phrase? Choose A1

Dva puta mjeri, jednom reži means:

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: You should think carefully before acting.

The phrase is a metaphor for prudence and caution.

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase. dialogue_completion B1

Marko: 'Idem odmah dati otkaz!' Prijatelj: 'Čekaj, Marko! ______.'

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Dva puta mjeri, jednom reži

The friend is advising Marko not to quit his job impulsively.

Match the Croatian word to its English literal meaning in the proverb. Match A1

Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 1-Twice, 2-Measure, 3-Once, 4-Cut

Direct translation of the components.

🎉 Ergebnis: /5

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen

Not at all! While it's an old proverb, it's used by all ages, especially in professional and academic settings.

Yes, 'sijeci' is common in some dialects and is perfectly understood, though 'reži' is the standard version.

It depends on the tone. If said kindly, it's helpful advice. If said after a mistake, it can be a bit annoying (like 'I told you so').

No, it's metaphorical for 'multiple times' or 'thoroughly'.

Verwandte Redewendungen

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Ispeci pa reci

similar

Bake it, then say it.

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Požuri polako

similar

Hurry slowly (Festina lente).

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Tko rano rani, dvije sreće grabi

contrast

The early bird catches two fortunes.

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Stani na loptu

builds on

Step on the ball.

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