Meaning
Bad intentions often backfire.
Cultural Background
In Slovak villages, 'neprajnosť' (not wishing well to others) is considered a very negative trait. This proverb is a common way to warn against it. The 'hole' imagery is common across Central Europe (Germany, Poland, Czechia) due to shared agricultural history and biblical influence. The proverb is often linked to the idea of 'Božie mlyny' (God's mills), suggesting that justice is inevitable. Slovak journalists love using this proverb in headlines about political corruption.
Shorten it for impact
You don't always have to say the whole thing. Just saying 'Kto druhému jamu kope...' with a knowing look is very native-like.
Gender matters
Remember that 'jama' is feminine. If you use 'do neho' (masculine), it sounds very wrong to a Slovak ear.
Meaning
Bad intentions often backfire.
Shorten it for impact
You don't always have to say the whole thing. Just saying 'Kto druhému jamu kope...' with a knowing look is very native-like.
Gender matters
Remember that 'jama' is feminine. If you use 'do neho' (masculine), it sounds very wrong to a Slovak ear.
Use it in politics
If you want to sound like a sophisticated political commentator, use this phrase when a scandal breaks out.
Test Yourself
Complete the proverb with the correct word.
Kto druhému ____ kope, sám do nej padá.
The proverb specifically uses 'jamu' (hole).
Which situation best fits this proverb?
Marek tried to make his sister look bad, but he accidentally revealed his own secret instead.
This situation involves a malicious plan backfiring.
Match the Slovak words with their English meanings in the proverb.
Match the following:
These are the core components of the proverb.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Peter chcel, aby som dostal pokutu, ale nakoniec ju dostal on.' B: 'Nuž, ____.'
The proverb perfectly describes Peter's situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesKto druhému ____ kope, sám do nej padá.
The proverb specifically uses 'jamu' (hole).
Marek tried to make his sister look bad, but he accidentally revealed his own secret instead.
This situation involves a malicious plan backfiring.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the core components of the proverb.
A: 'Peter chcel, aby som dostal pokutu, ale nakoniec ju dostal on.' B: 'Nuž, ____.'
The proverb perfectly describes Peter's situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, although younger people might use the word 'karma' more often, they still perfectly understand and occasionally use this proverb, especially in formal or ironic contexts.
No. While 'hrob' (grave) makes sense, the proverb is fixed with 'jama'. Changing it makes it sound like a mistake rather than a variation.
It can be. It's a moral judgment. Saying it to someone who just failed might be seen as 'rubbing it in'. It's safer to use it when talking *about* someone else.
It means 'himself into it'. 'Sám' is himself, 'do' is into, and 'nej' is the feminine pronoun for 'it' (the hole).
Yes: 'Kto druhému jamu kope...' The second half is often implied.
Never. It's almost always used for metaphorical 'holes' like lies, traps, or bad reports.
It has biblical origins, but today it is considered a secular piece of folk wisdom used by everyone.
It rhymes with 'rope' but with a short 'e' at the end. Koh-peh.
Yes, if a competitor's aggressive strategy fails, it's a very common way to describe the situation.
There isn't a direct opposite proverb, but 'Za dobrotu na žobrotu' (For goodness, to beggary) is a cynical alternative that says being good sometimes results in being treated poorly.
Related Phrases
Božie mlyny melú pomaly, ale isto
similarGod's mills grind slowly but surely.
Ako sa do hory volá, tak sa z hory ozýva
similarAs you call into the forest, so it echoes back.
Kto seje vietor, žne búrku
similarHe who sows the wind reaps the storm.
Zlo sa zlom odpláca
builds onEvil is repaid with evil.
