Significado
Clear dealings keep relationships healthy.
Contexto cultural
In Croatia, it's common to fight over who pays the bill. However, using this phrase allows you to accept someone's payment or pay your share without appearing rude. The phrase is identical in Serbia and carries the same weight. It is often used in 'kafana' culture where long nights of drinking require clear morning-after accounting. In Bosnia, 'merak' (pleasure) and 'prijateljstvo' (friendship) are paramount, but this proverb is used to ensure that money never spoils the 'ćejf' (mood). Dalmatians are known for being very direct. They might use this phrase more frequently in business to ensure everything is 'crno na bijelo' (black on white/in writing).
The 'Kava' Rule
If someone pays for your coffee today, you MUST pay next time. If you can't remember whose turn it is, say 'Čist račun, duga ljubav' and pay for yourself.
Don't be a 'Škrtac'
While the phrase encourages fairness, don't use it to argue over 5 cents. That would make you a 'škrtac' (miser), which is culturally frowned upon.
Significado
Clear dealings keep relationships healthy.
The 'Kava' Rule
If someone pays for your coffee today, you MUST pay next time. If you can't remember whose turn it is, say 'Čist račun, duga ljubav' and pay for yourself.
Don't be a 'Škrtac'
While the phrase encourages fairness, don't use it to argue over 5 cents. That would make you a 'škrtac' (miser), which is culturally frowned upon.
The Balkan Handshake
Often said while shaking hands or giving a friendly pat on the shoulder after a transaction.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
Čist _______, duga _______.
The standard form uses 'račun' (account) and 'ljubav' (love).
In which situation is it MOST appropriate to say 'Čist račun, duga ljubav'?
Select the best scenario:
The phrase is used to settle debts and maintain friendship.
Choose the grammatically correct version of the phrase.
Which one is correct?
'Račun' is masculine, 'Ljubav' is feminine. Adjectives must match.
Complete the dialogue.
Marko: 'Evo tvojih 20 eura koje si mi posudio.' Ivan: 'Hvala, Marko! Znaš kako kažu...' Marko: '_________________.'
This is the natural response when returning money.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Friendship vs. Business
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosČist _______, duga _______.
The standard form uses 'račun' (account) and 'ljubav' (love).
Select the best scenario:
The phrase is used to settle debts and maintain friendship.
Which one is correct?
'Račun' is masculine, 'Ljubav' is feminine. Adjectives must match.
Marko: 'Evo tvojih 20 eura koje si mi posudio.' Ivan: 'Hvala, Marko! Znaš kako kažu...' Marko: '_________________.'
This is the natural response when returning money.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasPrimarily yes, but it can also refer to being honest about your intentions in a relationship to avoid future drama.
It's a bit informal for a boss. Better to use it with colleagues or business partners you have a friendly relationship with.
In older Croatian, 'ljubav' was a broader term for any close, positive bond, including friendship and family ties.
No, it's actually a polite way to ask for money back because it frames the request as a way to save the friendship.
It's a palatal lateral approximant. Try saying 'L' while your tongue is flat against the roof of your mouth, like in 'million'.
Sometimes people just say 'Čisti računi' (Clean accounts) and leave the rest implied.
Yes, especially in matters of inheritance or lending large sums, to prevent family feuds.
Yes, versions exist in Serbian, Bosnian, and even Slovenian, though the wording might vary slightly.
There isn't a direct opposite proverb, but 'mutni poslovi' (muddy business) describes the opposite situation.
Yes! It's very common to send this after a Revolut transfer or a bank payment to a friend.
Frases relacionadas
Crno na bijelo
similarBlack on white (in writing).
Tko prizna, pola mu se prašta
builds onHe who admits [his mistake] is halfway forgiven.
Račun bez krčmara
contrastAn account without the innkeeper.
Prijateljstvo je prijateljstvo, služba je služba
similarFriendship is friendship, work is work.
