Meaning
To be daydreaming.
Cultural Background
Slovenians often use this phrase for 'romantic dreamers'. There is a famous pop song from the 80s by the band Gu-Gu called 'V oblakih', which celebrates this feeling. In the mountains, being 'in the clouds' is a literal daily occurrence due to fog. This makes the idiom feel very grounded in the local landscape. Slovenian teachers are generally quite patient but will use this phrase to gently bring a student's attention back to the lesson without being too aggressive. In Slovenian startups, being 'v oblakih' can be a compliment for a visionary, but in traditional banking or industry, it is strictly a negative trait.
Use it as a joke
It's a great way to tease a friend who is staring at their phone or a crush. It's rarely offensive.
Watch the preposition
Always use 'v'. If you say 'na oblakih', people will think you are talking about a video game character.
Meaning
To be daydreaming.
Use it as a joke
It's a great way to tease a friend who is staring at their phone or a crush. It's rarely offensive.
Watch the preposition
Always use 'v'. If you say 'na oblakih', people will think you are talking about a video game character.
Add 'spet'
Adding 'spet' (again) makes it sound much more natural: 'Spet si v oblakih!'
The 'Poetic' angle
In Slovenia, being in the clouds is often associated with the 'Prešeren' spirit (the national poet). Use it when talking about someone very creative.
Test Yourself
Dopolni poved s pravilno obliko glagola 'biti'.
Jaz ___ v oblakih, ker razmišljam o morju.
The subject is 'Jaz' (I), so the correct form of 'biti' is 'sem'.
Kateri stavek je pravilen?
Izberi pravilno predlogo in obliko.
The idiom requires the preposition 'v' and the plural locative 'oblakih'.
Poveži situacijo z ustreznim stavkom.
Tvoj prijatelj ne sliši tvojega vprašanja, ker gleda skozi okno.
This is the natural idiomatic response to someone daydreaming.
Dopolni dialog.
A: 'Ali si slišal, kaj je rekla šefica?' B: 'Oprosti, nisem. ___.'
The speaker is explaining why they *didn't* hear (past tense), so 'Bil sem' is correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Literal vs. Figurative
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJaz ___ v oblakih, ker razmišljam o morju.
The subject is 'Jaz' (I), so the correct form of 'biti' is 'sem'.
Izberi pravilno predlogo in obliko.
The idiom requires the preposition 'v' and the plural locative 'oblakih'.
Tvoj prijatelj ne sliši tvojega vprašanja, ker gleda skozi okno.
This is the natural idiomatic response to someone daydreaming.
A: 'Ali si slišal, kaj je rekla šefica?' B: 'Oprosti, nisem. ___.'
The speaker is explaining why they *didn't* hear (past tense), so 'Bil sem' is correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it's usually a lighthearted observation. However, in a very serious business meeting, it might sound a bit unprofessional.
Yes! 'Oprosti, sem v oblakih' is a very common way to apologize for being distracted.
'Sanjati' is the verb 'to dream'. 'Biti v oblakih' is the state of being distracted. You can be in the clouds *because* you are dreaming.
Not exactly. 'Cloud nine' is about extreme happiness. 'Biti v oblakih' is mostly about distraction, though it can be caused by happiness.
You say 'Mi smo v oblakih'. Only the verb 'biti' changes.
Yes, but that's the literal meaning. 'Letalo je v oblakih' means the plane is physically inside clouds.
Yes, 'biti v svojem filmu' (to be in one's own movie) is a popular modern alternative.
It's better to use 'nepozoren' or 'nerealističen' unless you are writing a creative story.
It is the locative case (mestnik), plural form.
Extremely common. You will hear it in schools, homes, and on TV every day.
Yes, that is a very common and perfectly correct variation.
Yes, the idiom is fixed in the plural form 'oblakih'.
Related Phrases
biti na devetih nebesih
similarTo be extremely happy (cloud nine).
biti z obema nogama na tleh
contrastTo be realistic and practical.
prodajati meglo
similarTo sell fog (to talk nonsense/deceive).
sanjati z odprtimi očmi
synonymTo daydream with open eyes.
gledati v zrak
similarTo look into the air (to be idle).
