Significado
To be practical and sensible.
Contexto cultural
In Romania, being 'cu picioarele pe pământ' is often contrasted with the 'visător' (dreamer) archetype. While dreaming is respected in poetry, in daily life, pragmatism is the ultimate virtue. Across the Balkans, there is a shared cultural skepticism toward 'get rich quick' schemes. This idiom serves as a linguistic shield against such risks. In modern Bucharest tech hubs, this phrase is used to push back against 'hype' or unrealistic 'Silicon Valley' style promises that don't fit the local market. In villages, this phrase is literal. A person who doesn't work the land is seen as 'floating.' Being grounded is synonymous with being a hard worker.
Use 'Rămâne' for Compliments
If you want to compliment someone successful, use 'A rămas cu picioarele pe pământ'. It sounds much more natural than 'Este'.
Don't use 'în'
Saying 'în pământ' makes it sound like you are talking about a grave or planting potatoes. Always use 'pe'.
Significado
To be practical and sensible.
Use 'Rămâne' for Compliments
If you want to compliment someone successful, use 'A rămas cu picioarele pe pământ'. It sounds much more natural than 'Este'.
Don't use 'în'
Saying 'în pământ' makes it sound like you are talking about a grave or planting potatoes. Always use 'pe'.
The 'Realist' shortcut
In very fast, modern conversations, younger Romanians might just say 'Fii realist!', but 'Fii cu picioarele pe pământ' carries more emotional weight.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'a fi'.
Noi ______ cu picioarele pe pământ.
'Noi' (we) requires the first-person plural form 'suntem'.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the idiomatically correct version:
The preposition 'pe' (on) is the only correct one for this idiom.
Match the situation to the advice.
Your friend wants to quit their job to become a professional TikToker without any followers.
You can tell them to 'be grounded' or tell them they have their 'head in the clouds'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Am câștigat 100 de euro! Cumpăr o mașină! B: ___________, 100 de euro nu sunt suficienți.
'Rămâi' (Stay/Remain) is used here as an imperative to give advice.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
When to be Grounded
Money
- • Budgeting
- • Investing
- • Shopping
Work
- • Deadlines
- • Salaries
- • Skills
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosNoi ______ cu picioarele pe pământ.
'Noi' (we) requires the first-person plural form 'suntem'.
Select the idiomatically correct version:
The preposition 'pe' (on) is the only correct one for this idiom.
Your friend wants to quit their job to become a professional TikToker without any followers.
You can tell them to 'be grounded' or tell them they have their 'head in the clouds'.
A: Am câștigat 100 de euro! Cumpăr o mașină! B: ___________, 100 de euro nu sunt suficienți.
'Rămâi' (Stay/Remain) is used here as an imperative to give advice.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
5 perguntasNo, it's generally helpful or complimentary. However, if said with a sharp tone, it can be a way of telling someone to 'shut up and face reality.'
Yes! 'Sunt un om cu picioarele pe pământ' is a very common way to describe yourself in a job interview or on a dating profile.
The phrase already uses the plural 'picioarele'. If you are talking about multiple people, you only change the verb: 'Ei sunt cu picioarele pe pământ.'
In this context, it means 'ground' or 'earth' as a surface. It doesn't refer to the planet Earth (which would be 'Pământul' with a capital P).
No. 'Sol' also means ground/soil, but it is never used in this idiom. It would sound very strange.
Frases relacionadas
Cu capul în nori
contrastTo have one's head in the clouds.
Om dintr-o bucată
similarA person made of one piece.
A pune punctul pe i
builds onTo dot the i's.
A nu vedea pădurea de copaci
contrastTo not see the forest for the trees.
