Signification
Not interfering in others' affairs.
Contexte culturel
In Serbia, 'komšiluk' (neighborhood) is a sacred concept, but it comes with a lack of privacy. This idiom is the primary tool for reclaiming personal space. In Montenegro, pride and honor are paramount. Telling someone to mind their business can be taken very seriously and might lead to a long-standing feud if said disrespectfully. Among Serbs living abroad, this phrase is often used to contrast the 'cold' privacy of the West with the 'nosy' warmth of the Balkans. On Serbian Twitter (X), 'Gledaj svoja posla' is often shortened or used in memes to mock people who give unsolicited advice.
Use it as a shield
If you don't want to answer a question, say it with a smile to make it less aggressive.
Grammar Trap
Never say 'Gledaj tvoja posla'. It marks you as a beginner immediately.
Signification
Not interfering in others' affairs.
Use it as a shield
If you don't want to answer a question, say it with a smile to make it less aggressive.
Grammar Trap
Never say 'Gledaj tvoja posla'. It marks you as a beginner immediately.
The 'Neutral' Power
Using this phrase to describe yourself ('Ja gledam svoja posla') is a great way to show you are a reliable, non-dramatic person.
The Balkan Context
Remember that in small towns, NOT minding your business is often seen as a form of caring. Context is everything!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Gledaj ______ posla!
The reflexive possessive 'svoja' is required because the subject (you) is the owner of the business.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a nosy neighbor to mind their business?
Komšinica pita za tvoju platu. Šta kažeš?
This is the standard idiomatic form with the correct grammar.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Someone is gossiping about a colleague and you want to stay neutral.
This expresses that you don't get involved in gossip.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Zašto tvoj brat još nema devojku? B: Ne znam, pitaj njega ili jednostavno ______.
This is a common way to deflect intrusive questions about family members.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesGledaj ______ posla!
The reflexive possessive 'svoja' is required because the subject (you) is the owner of the business.
Komšinica pita za tvoju platu. Šta kažeš?
This is the standard idiomatic form with the correct grammar.
Situation: Someone is gossiping about a colleague and you want to stay neutral.
This expresses that you don't get involved in gossip.
A: Zašto tvoj brat još nema devojku? B: Ne znam, pitaj njega ili jednostavno ______.
This is a common way to deflect intrusive questions about family members.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt depends on the tone. It can be a neutral statement of fact or a very sharp rebuke.
Yes, especially if someone is interfering in your specific tasks, but keep it professional.
'Posao' is singular (job), 'posla' is genitive plural (affairs). The idiom requires the plural.
You can say: 'Izvinite, ali to je moja privatna stvar' (Sorry, but that is my private matter).
Yes, 'Šta te briga?' or 'Gledaj svoja posla, bre!' (adding 'bre' for emphasis).
Serbian uses reflexive possessives when the owner is the subject of the sentence.
No, it is too idiomatic and informal for a business email.
'Mešati se u sve' (to interfere in everything) or 'biti radoznao' (to be nosy).
Yes, it's almost exclusively used for human social interactions.
Yes, versions of this exist in Croatian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin as well.
Expressions liées
Šta te briga?
similarWhat do you care?
Ne mešaj se
synonymDon't interfere
Gurati nos u tuđa posla
contrastTo stick one's nose in others' business
Biti u svom svetu
similarTo be in one's own world
Furati svoj fazon
builds onTo do one's own thing
