معنی
Wishing someone good luck.
زمینه فرهنگی
The gesture of 'holding thumbs' involves tucking the thumb inside the fist. Actually showing this gesture while saying the phrase is common among children and close friends. This idiom is a 'Sprachbund' feature, shared by Slovaks, Czechs, Hungarians, Poles, and Germans, showing the deep historical ties in the region. During the IIHF World Championship, 'Držíme palce' becomes a national slogan, appearing on everything from beer cans to car flags. Some Slovaks believe that if you talk too much about a success before it happens, you will 'zakríknuť' (jinx) it. 'Držím palce' is the verbal antidote to this fear.
The Dative Secret
Always remember to use 'ti' (informal) or 'vám' (formal). Just saying 'Držím palce' is okay, but adding the person makes it much warmer.
No Crossing!
Avoid crossing your fingers while saying this. It's a common 'foreigner' mistake that looks like you're lying.
معنی
Wishing someone good luck.
The Dative Secret
Always remember to use 'ti' (informal) or 'vám' (formal). Just saying 'Držím palce' is okay, but adding the person makes it much warmer.
No Crossing!
Avoid crossing your fingers while saying this. It's a common 'foreigner' mistake that looks like you're lying.
Future Tense
Use 'Budem ti držať palce' if the event is tomorrow. It shows you've made a mental note to support them later.
The Response
If someone says this to you, always say 'Ďakujem'. It's considered polite to acknowledge the 'luck' they are giving you.
خودت رو بسنج
Fill in the correct dative pronoun for a friend (informal).
Zajtra máš rande? Držím ___ palce!
'Ti' is the informal singular dative pronoun used for friends.
Which situation is appropriate for 'Držím palce'?
When should you say 'Držím palce'?
The phrase is used to wish luck for a future or ongoing challenge.
Match the Slovak phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are common Slovak social expressions and their English counterparts.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb 'držať'.
Peter: 'Idem na skúšku.' Jana: 'Dobre, budem ti ___ palce!'
After the future auxiliary 'budem', we use the infinitive 'držať'.
Match the variation to the context.
Which variation fits best?
Different variations carry different nuances and levels of formality.
🎉 امتیاز: /5
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Slovak vs English Gestures
Luck Vocabulary
Verbs
- • držať
- • želať
- • dúfať
Nouns
- • šťastie
- • úspech
- • palec
بانک تمرین
5 تمرینهاZajtra máš rande? Držím ___ palce!
'Ti' is the informal singular dative pronoun used for friends.
When should you say 'Držím palce'?
The phrase is used to wish luck for a future or ongoing challenge.
هر مورد سمت چپ را با جفتش در سمت راست مطابقت دهید:
These are common Slovak social expressions and their English counterparts.
Peter: 'Idem na skúšku.' Jana: 'Dobre, budem ti ___ palce!'
After the future auxiliary 'budem', we use the infinitive 'držať'.
Which variation fits best?
Different variations carry different nuances and levels of formality.
🎉 امتیاز: /5
سوالات متداول
12 سوالYes, but use the formal 'vám': 'Držím vám palce, pán riaditeľ.' It's a nice way to show support.
The phrase 'palce' is already plural. If 'we' (a group) are wishing luck, say 'Držíme vám palce'.
It literally means 'to break a neck' and is the equivalent of 'break a leg'. Use it for performances.
Usually, you ask others: 'Držte mi palce!' (Hold thumbs for me!). You don't typically say 'I hold thumbs for myself'.
Very often! You can just write 'Držím palce!' or use the ✊ emoji.
It's a Central European tradition shared with Germany. The thumb was historically seen as a lucky finger.
Use 'na' (on/for) for the event: 'Držím palce na skúške'. Never use 'pre'.
It's slightly informal. In a very formal email, use 'Želám vám veľa úspechov'.
It literally means 'I hold thumbs'.
No, it's mostly just a verbal expression now, though some people still do the gesture for emphasis.
Yes, 'Držím palce, nech sa čoskoro uzdravíš' is a very kind thing to say.
Yes, it is a universal Slovak expression used from Bratislava to Košice.
عبارات مرتبط
Zlomiť väz
similarBreak a neck (Break a leg)
Veľa šťastia
synonymMuch luck
Nech sa darí
similarMay it go well
Drž sa
builds onHold yourself (Hang in there)
Ukázať figu
contrastTo show the fig (thumb between index and middle)
