Significado
Something completely incomprehensible.
Contexto cultural
Serbians often use this phrase with a shrug of the shoulders and a smile, indicating a relaxed attitude toward not knowing everything. This idiom is shared across Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro, making it a very useful 'pan-Balkan' expression. In Serbian schools, students often use this to bond over difficult subjects like chemistry or Latin. The use of 'Spain' reflects a time when Spain was seen as the most distant and exotic part of Europe to people in the Balkans.
Use it to be relatable
If someone is explaining something very complex, saying 'To su za mene španska sela' makes you sound humble and friendly.
Plural only!
Never say 'špansko selo' (singular) unless you are literally talking about a village in Spain.
Significado
Something completely incomprehensible.
Use it to be relatable
If someone is explaining something very complex, saying 'To su za mene španska sela' makes you sound humble and friendly.
Plural only!
Never say 'špansko selo' (singular) unless you are literally talking about a village in Spain.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Matematika su za mene _________ sela.
The correct adjective for this idiom is 'španska' (Spanish).
Which verb form correctly completes the sentence?
Kompjuteri ____ za moju baku španska sela.
Since 'sela' is plural, the verb must be 'su' (are).
In which situation would you most likely say 'To su za mene španska sela'?
Select the best context:
The idiom is used for things that are difficult to understand.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Da li razumeš kako radi ovaj novi softver? B: Ne, ________________.
This is the standard way to express total confusion about a topic.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosMatematika su za mene _________ sela.
The correct adjective for this idiom is 'španska' (Spanish).
Kompjuteri ____ za moju baku španska sela.
Since 'sela' is plural, the verb must be 'su' (are).
Select the best context:
The idiom is used for things that are difficult to understand.
A: Da li razumeš kako radi ovaj novi softver? B: Ne, ________________.
This is the standard way to express total confusion about a topic.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNot at all. It is a purely linguistic idiom and doesn't carry any negative stereotypes about Spain or its people.
No, you wouldn't say a person is 'španska sela.' You use it for topics, subjects, or explanations.
In a very formal setting, use 'To mi je nepoznata oblast' (That is an unknown field to me).
It comes from the German 'Bohemian villages,' where the villages themselves represented the unknown territory.
Yes, it is equally common in Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro.
Yes, 'mi' (to me) is a shorter and very common alternative to 'za mene'.
Absolutely. It is one of the most 'immortal' idioms in the Serbian language.
Yes! 'Ovaj film su za mene španska sela' is a great way to say the plot was too confusing.
Yes, 'Ovo mi je rebus' (This is a rebus/puzzle to me) is a common slang alternative.
Yes, because 'sela' is plural, the verb must always be plural.
Frases relacionadas
Kao da pričaš kineski
synonymAs if you are speaking Chinese.
Mlatiti praznu slamu
similarTo beat empty straw.
Nepoznanica
specialized formAn unknown.
