Meaning
Being prone to stealing.
Cultural Background
In Balkan markets, vendors are very wary of 'dugački prsti'. It's common to see signs or hear vendors shouting warnings in crowded areas like Zeleni Venac. Calling someone 'lopov' (thief) is a direct insult that can lead to a fight. Using 'ima dugačke prste' is a slightly more indirect, though still serious, way to express suspicion. Serbian tabloids frequently use this phrase in headlines about corruption or petty crime to make the story sound more 'folk' and relatable. Parents might use this phrase to scold children who take cookies or money without asking, teaching them the moral weight of the idiom early on.
Careful with context
Don't use this to describe a friend's physical appearance unless you want to accidentally call them a thief.
Use with 'paziti'
This idiom pairs perfectly with the verb 'paziti' (to watch out/be careful).
Meaning
Being prone to stealing.
Careful with context
Don't use this to describe a friend's physical appearance unless you want to accidentally call them a thief.
Use with 'paziti'
This idiom pairs perfectly with the verb 'paziti' (to watch out/be careful).
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Pazi na novčanik, taj čovek ima dugačke ______.
The idiom is 'imati dugačke prste'. 'Prste' means fingers.
What does 'Marko ima dugačke prste' mean in a social context?
Marko ima dugačke prste.
This is a common Serbian idiom for a thief.
Match the sentence to the most likely situation.
Sentence: 'Nemoj ga zvati u kuću, ima dugačke prste.'
The phrase is used as a warning about someone's character.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesPazi na novčanik, taj čovek ima dugačke ______.
The idiom is 'imati dugačke prste'. 'Prste' means fingers.
Marko ima dugačke prste.
This is a common Serbian idiom for a thief.
Sentence: 'Nemoj ga zvati u kuću, ima dugačke prste.'
The phrase is used as a warning about someone's character.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsYes, it is an accusation of theft. Use it only when you mean to describe someone as dishonest.
Usually, it implies a habit or a personality trait rather than a single accidental act.
Related Phrases
Imati lepljive prste
synonymTo have sticky fingers.
Gledati kroz prste
contrastTo look through one's fingers (to turn a blind eye).
Biti laka ruka
similarTo be light-handed.
