Signification
Making no progress.
Contexte culturel
Often used to describe the 'birokratski aparat' (bureaucratic apparatus). Croatians have a high tolerance for circular processes but use this phrase to vent frustration. In a broader regional context, the phrase is sometimes used to describe political history, where the same ethnic or social issues seem to repeat every few decades. Contrasts with the concept of 'fjaka'. While 'fjaka' is a positive, productive laziness, 'vrtjeti se u krug' is the negative, unproductive busyness. In Croatian startups and tech companies, this phrase is used as a 'red flag' during agile meetings to indicate that a task needs to be re-evaluated.
Use with 'opet'
Adding 'opet' (again) makes you sound much more like a native speaker when expressing frustration.
Don't forget 'se'
If you say 'Vrtim u krug', Croatians will wait for you to say *what* you are spinning.
Signification
Making no progress.
Use with 'opet'
Adding 'opet' (again) makes you sound much more like a native speaker when expressing frustration.
Don't forget 'se'
If you say 'Vrtim u krug', Croatians will wait for you to say *what* you are spinning.
Bureaucracy
This is the #1 phrase to use when complaining about paperwork in Croatia.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing reflexive particle and the noun in the correct case.
Opet ___ vrtimo u ____.
The idiom requires the reflexive particle 'se' and the accusative 'u krug'.
Which sentence correctly uses the idiom to mean 'no progress'?
Odaberi točnu rečenicu:
Option B correctly uses the figurative meaning of working without progress.
Match the Croatian phrase with its English equivalent.
Spoji parove:
These are the standard idiomatic equivalents.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb 'vrtjeti se'.
Ana: 'Jesi li završio izvještaj?' Marko: 'Ne, stalno ___ ___ u krug.'
Marko is speaking about himself (1st person singular) and needs the reflexive 'se'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesOpet ___ vrtimo u ____.
The idiom requires the reflexive particle 'se' and the accusative 'u krug'.
Odaberi točnu rečenicu:
Option B correctly uses the figurative meaning of working without progress.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard idiomatic equivalents.
Ana: 'Jesi li završio izvještaj?' Marko: 'Ne, stalno ___ ___ u krug.'
Marko is speaking about himself (1st person singular) and needs the reflexive 'se'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsBoth are used. 'Vrtjeti' is the standard literary form, while 'vrtiti' is very common in spoken language and dialects.
Yes, but it's usually literal then. 'Trčim u krug' (I'm running in a circle) is more common for exercise.
No, it's neutral. It can be used with a boss if you are describing a process, not their intelligence.
Because 'u' + accusative indicates movement into a shape/state, which fits the idea of 'going into' a loop.
It's understandable but sounds like a translation from English. Stick to the singular 'u krug'.
Expressions liées
Tapkati u mjestu
similarTo make no progress.
Začarani krug
builds onA vicious circle.
Presipati iz šupljeg u prazno
synonymTo do futile work.
Vrtjeti nekoga oko prsta
confusingTo wrap someone around your finger.
