Significado
Stating lack of free time.
Contexto cultural
The 'Coffee Culture' (iti na kavo) is sacred. Being 'zaposlen' is one of the few socially acceptable reasons to decline a coffee invite without causing offense. Slovenians share a work ethic similar to Austrians and Germans. Being busy is often equated with being reliable and hardworking. Younger Slovenians often use the English loanword 'busy' or the slang 'gužva' (crowd/traffic jam) to describe their state. In villages, being 'zaposlen' often refers to physical labor on the farm or in the garden, which is highly respected.
Gender Check
Always check your ending! -en for men, -ena for women. It's the #1 mistake for beginners.
Don't over-use it
If you always say you're busy, people might stop inviting you to 'kava'. Balance it with 'naslednjič' (next time).
Significado
Stating lack of free time.
Gender Check
Always check your ending! -en for men, -ena for women. It's the #1 mistake for beginners.
Don't over-use it
If you always say you're busy, people might stop inviting you to 'kava'. Balance it with 'naslednjič' (next time).
Sound like a native
Use 'malo' (a little) to soften it: 'Malo sem zaposlen' sounds less aggressive than 'Zelo sem zaposlen'.
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of 'zaposlen' for a woman speaking.
Jaz sem zelo _______.
Since the speaker is a woman, the adjective must end in -a.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I have a lot of work'?
Kako rečemo 'I have a lot of work'?
This is the most common idiomatic alternative to 'Zelo sem zaposlen'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are talking to your boss.
This is formal and professional, suitable for a boss.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Greva na kavo? B: Oprosti, ne morem. _______.
'Zaposlen' is the correct word for being busy with tasks.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
When to use Zaposlen vs Zaseden
Zaposlen (People)
- • Work tasks
- • Homework
- • Chores
Zaseden (Objects/Places)
- • Toilet
- • Bus seat
- • Phone line
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosJaz sem zelo _______.
Since the speaker is a woman, the adjective must end in -a.
Kako rečemo 'I have a lot of work'?
This is the most common idiomatic alternative to 'Zelo sem zaposlen'.
Situation: You are talking to your boss.
This is formal and professional, suitable for a boss.
A: Greva na kavo? B: Oprosti, ne morem. _______.
'Zaposlen' is the correct word for being busy with tasks.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, for a street use 'živahna' (lively) or 'polna' (full). 'Zaposlen' is only for people.
You can also use 'močno' or the slang 'ful', but 'zelo' is the most standard.
Say 'Nisem zaposlen' or 'Imam čas'.
Yes, 'On je zaposlen v banki' means 'He is employed at a bank'.
The plural is 'zaposleni' (masculine) or 'zaposlene' (feminine).
No, it is a neutral and polite way to state your status, especially if you add 'oprosti' (sorry).
No, for a phone line use 'zasedeno'.
You can say 'Izjemno sem zaposlen' or 'Preobremenjen sem'.
'Zaposlen' is an adjective for a person; 'v delu' is usually for a project that is 'in progress'.
In texts, people often just write 'Mam delo' (I have work).
Frases relacionadas
Imam veliko dela
synonymI have a lot of work
Nimam časa
similarI don't have time
V gužvi sem
slangI'm in a crowd/jam
Zaseden sem
similarI am occupied
Prost sem
contrastI am free
Preobremenjen sem
specialized formI am overworked/overloaded
