Significado
Exaggerating a small problem.
Contexto cultural
Czechs value 'nadhled' (perspective/detachment). Using this idiom is a way to encourage someone to regain their 'nadhled' and not be consumed by small annoyances. The idiom is identical in Slovak ('robiť z komára oslíka' or 'velblúda'), reflecting the shared linguistic and cultural history of Czechoslovakia. The German influence on Czech is visible here; while Czechs use a camel, the structure is identical to the German 'Mücke/Elefant' metaphor. In the age of 'clickbait,' this idiom is frequently used by Czech commenters to criticize sensationalist news headlines.
Use the Imperative
The most natural way to use this is the negative imperative: 'Nedělej z komára velblouda!' It's a quick way to tell someone to chill out.
Watch the Animacy
Both 'komár' and 'velbloud' are animate masculine nouns. Remember that their Accusative and Genitive forms both end in -a.
Significado
Exaggerating a small problem.
Use the Imperative
The most natural way to use this is the negative imperative: 'Nedělej z komára velblouda!' It's a quick way to tell someone to chill out.
Watch the Animacy
Both 'komár' and 'velbloud' are animate masculine nouns. Remember that their Accusative and Genitive forms both end in -a.
The 'Z' Preposition
Always remember that 'z' (from) is the key here. You are making one thing *out of* another.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words in the correct case.
Prosím tě, nedělej z ______ (komár) ______ (velbloud)!
After 'z' we need Genitive (komára) and as the object we need Accusative (velblouda).
Which situation is appropriate for this idiom?
When should you say 'Nedělej z komára velblouda'?
The idiom is for overreactions to minor, trivial problems.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Mám na košili malou skvrnu! Nemůžu jít na tu párty!' B: '_________________'
B is trying to calm A down because the problem (a small stain) is minor.
Match the idiom to its meaning.
Match 'Dělat z komára velblouda' with its English equivalent.
Both idioms describe the same act of exaggeration.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosProsím tě, nedělej z ______ (komár) ______ (velbloud)!
After 'z' we need Genitive (komára) and as the object we need Accusative (velblouda).
When should you say 'Nedělej z komára velblouda'?
The idiom is for overreactions to minor, trivial problems.
A: 'Mám na košili malou skvrnu! Nemůžu jít na tu párty!' B: '_________________'
B is trying to calm A down because the problem (a small stain) is minor.
Match 'Dělat z komára velblouda' with its English equivalent.
Both idioms describe the same act of exaggeration.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt can be. It's like saying 'You're overreacting.' Use it with friends, but be careful with your boss or someone who is genuinely upset.
Not really. If you say 'making a dog out of a cat,' no one will understand you. Stick to the mosquito and the camel.
It represents something large, heavy, and exotic—the perfect opposite of a tiny, local mosquito.
You can just say 'Nepřeháněj!' (Don't exaggerate!), but the idiom is much more colorful.
99% of the time, use 'dělat'. It describes the ongoing behavior of the person.
No, it's almost always used for problems, worries, or negative situations.
The closest is 'Making a mountain out of a molehill.'
Rarely. In formal settings, use 'zveličovat' or 'přehánět'.
No, that would mean making a big problem look small, which isn't a standard idiom.
Yes, you'll hear it in almost every Czech family comedy.
Frases relacionadas
Nedělej z toho vědu
similarDon't make a science out of it.
Přilévat olej do ohně
builds onTo add fuel to the fire.
Mnoho povyku pro nic
synonymMuch ado about nothing.
Vzít to s nadhledem
contrastTo take it with perspective.
