المعنى
You must work to succeed
خلفية ثقافية
This region is the 'breadbasket' of Croatia. The phrase is taken very literally here, as the economy was historically built on wheat farming. People from Slavonija are known for their hospitality and their respect for hard labor. In Dalmatia, the 'motika' was used in vineyards and olive groves on rocky terrain. The work was even harder than in the plains, making the proverb a symbol of survival against nature. Despite the rise of the tech sector, Croatian managers often use this phrase to ground their employees and emphasize that 'hustle' is still required, even in a digital office. Croatians who emigrated to the US, Germany, or Australia often carried this proverb with them as a core value, helping them succeed in new environments through sheer hard work.
Use it for motivation
It's a great way to show empathy while also encouraging someone to keep going.
Watch your cases!
Remember: kruh -> kruha, motika -> motike. Using the wrong case makes the idiom sound broken.
المعنى
You must work to succeed
Use it for motivation
It's a great way to show empathy while also encouraging someone to keep going.
Watch your cases!
Remember: kruh -> kruha, motika -> motike. Using the wrong case makes the idiom sound broken.
Sound like a native
Natives often sigh slightly before saying this phrase to add a sense of 'that's just how life is'.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the missing words in the genitive case.
Nema _____ bez _____.
The words must be in the genitive case because of 'nema' and 'bez'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'Nema kruha bez motike'?
Marko wants to be a famous pianist but never practices.
The idiom is used to tell someone that they need to put in effort to reach their goal.
Match the Croatian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all variations of the same work-ethic sentiment.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Ana: 'Tako sam umorna od učenja.' Ivan: 'Znam, ali...'
Ivan is encouraging Ana to keep studying by using the idiom.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينNema _____ bez _____.
The words must be in the genitive case because of 'nema' and 'bez'.
Marko wants to be a famous pianist but never practices.
The idiom is used to tell someone that they need to put in effort to reach their goal.
طابق كل عنصر على اليسار مع زوجه على اليمين:
These are all variations of the same work-ethic sentiment.
Ana: 'Tako sam umorna od učenja.' Ivan: 'Znam, ali...'
Ivan is encouraging Ana to keep studying by using the idiom.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
3 أسئلةYes, although it sounds a bit traditional, young people use it ironically or when talking about serious goals like university or fitness.
It's better to use it in spoken conversation or informal Slack messages. In a formal email, it might be too colloquial.
Because 'nema' (there is no) always triggers the genitive case in Croatian.
عبارات ذات صلة
Bez muke nema nauke
similarWithout effort, there is no learning.
Tko ne radi, taj ne jede
similarHe who doesn't work, doesn't eat.
Kruh sa sedam kora
builds onBread with seven crusts.
Ležati na lovorikama
contrastTo rest on one's laurels.
