Meaning
Be careful before acting
Cultural Background
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.
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!
Meaning
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.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
Dva puta ______, jednom ______.
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.
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:
The phrase is a metaphor for prudence and caution.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Marko: 'Idem odmah dati otkaz!' Prijatelj: 'Čekaj, Marko! ______.'
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
Direct translation of the components.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesDva puta ______, jednom ______.
The standard form uses 'mjeri' (measure) and 'reži' (cut).
Situations: A) You are hungry. B) You are buying an expensive house. C) You are running a race.
Buying a house is a major, irreversible decision that requires careful checking.
Dva puta mjeri, jednom reži means:
The phrase is a metaphor for prudence and caution.
Marko: 'Idem odmah dati otkaz!' Prijatelj: 'Čekaj, Marko! ______.'
The friend is advising Marko not to quit his job impulsively.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Direct translation of the components.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNot 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'.
Related Phrases
Ispeci pa reci
similarBake it, then say it.
Požuri polako
similarHurry slowly (Festina lente).
Tko rano rani, dvije sreće grabi
contrastThe early bird catches two fortunes.
Stani na loptu
builds onStep on the ball.
