Significado
Buying something without checking it.
Contexto cultural
In Serbian markets (pijace), it is culturally expected to touch, smell, and sometimes taste produce before buying. Buying without doing this is seen as a lack of 'market smarts'. The phrase is used across all ex-Yugoslav countries (Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro) with the same meaning, reflecting a shared mercantile history. With the rise of 'Polovni Automobili' (Used Cars) and 'KupujemProdajem' (I buy/I sell) websites, this idiom has seen a massive resurgence in daily digital slang. The idiom links Serbia to the broader European medieval tradition, showing how trade routes also moved language and metaphors.
Use it for online shopping
This is the most natural modern context. If a friend shows you a weird ad, say 'To je mačka u džaku!'
Don't say 'u torbi'
Even though 'torba' means bag, the idiom is fixed. 'Mačka u torbi' sounds like you literally have a pet in your purse.
Significado
Buying something without checking it.
Use it for online shopping
This is the most natural modern context. If a friend shows you a weird ad, say 'To je mačka u džaku!'
Don't say 'u torbi'
Even though 'torba' means bag, the idiom is fixed. 'Mačka u torbi' sounds like you literally have a pet in your purse.
The 'Čista' intensifier
Add 'čista' (pure) before 'mačka' to emphasize how big the risk is: 'To je čista mačka u džaku!'
Teste-se
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Ne želim da kupim mačku u ______.
The standard idiom uses 'džaku' (sack).
Which situation best describes 'kupiti mačku u džaku'?
Marko je...
Buying something unseen from a suspicious source is the definition of the idiom.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
Ana: 'Ovaj stan je veoma jeftin, ali vlasnik ne želi da mi ga pokaže.' Bojan: 'Budi oprezna, Ana! Nemoj ______.'
Bojan is warning Ana not to make a blind purchase.
Match the idiom to the correct modern context.
Which of these is a 'mačka u džaku'?
A mystery box is the literal modern equivalent of a cat in a sack.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosNe želim da kupim mačku u ______.
The standard idiom uses 'džaku' (sack).
Marko je...
Buying something unseen from a suspicious source is the definition of the idiom.
Ana: 'Ovaj stan je veoma jeftin, ali vlasnik ne želi da mi ga pokaže.' Bojan: 'Budi oprezna, Ana! Nemoj ______.'
Bojan is warning Ana not to make a blind purchase.
Which of these is a 'mačka u džaku'?
A mystery box is the literal modern equivalent of a cat in a sack.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it's a helpful warning. However, don't say it to a seller's face unless you want to accuse them of being a scammer!
Yes, if you are talking about someone's character being unknown, e.g., 'Novi komšija je mačka u džaku.'
They both mean sack, but 'džak' is the standard word used in this specific idiom.
The concept is simple enough for A1, but the grammar (cases) is more A2/B1. However, as a fixed phrase, A1s can memorize it easily.
Not always a deliberate scam, sometimes just a very risky or unknown situation.
Exactly this: 'Ne želim da kupim mačku u džaku.'
It's a bit informal. In a formal email, use 'rizik' or 'neproverena investicija'.
Because stray cats were worthless and easy to catch to replace valuable piglets in medieval markets.
Rarely. You wouldn't usually say 'kupiti mačke u džakovima'.
There isn't a direct idiom, but 'sigurna kupovina' (safe purchase) is the literal opposite.
Frases relacionadas
Prodati rog za sveću
similarTo sell a horn for a candle.
Pustiti mačku iz džaka
builds onTo let the cat out of the bag.
Obećavati kule i gradove
similarTo promise towers and cities.
Čista posla
contrastClean business.
