Significado
To listen very attentively.
Contexto cultural
In Serbia, 'idemo na kafu' (let's go for coffee) is rarely about the caffeine. It's a social ritual where sharing information is key. Using 'pretvoriti se u uvo' in this setting shows you are a 'dobar sagovornik' (a good interlocutor). Serbs love dramatic storytelling with lots of gestures. Listeners are expected to react visibly. Saying you've 'turned into an ear' is a verbal way of leaning in. In rural areas, listening to elders is a sign of 'vaspitanje' (good upbringing). A child who 'turns into an ear' is seen as respectful and wise. On Serbian Twitter (X), you might see the emoji 👂 used as a shorthand for this idiom when someone posts a 'thread' with gossip.
Use it for Gossip
This is the most natural way to encourage someone to tell you a secret. It makes you sound very native!
Don't forget 'se'
Without 'se', you are changing an object into an ear, which makes no sense in this context.
Significado
To listen very attentively.
Use it for Gossip
This is the most natural way to encourage someone to tell you a secret. It makes you sound very native!
Don't forget 'se'
Without 'se', you are changing an object into an ear, which makes no sense in this context.
Singular is Key
Even though you have two ears, always use 'u uvo' (singular). Using 'u uši' (plural) sounds like a mistake to native speakers.
Body Language
When you say this, lean in slightly. Serbs value the physical signal of attention as much as the words.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing reflexive pronoun and noun.
Kada baka priča priču, deca se ________ u ____.
The correct form is 'pretvore' (perfective) and 'uvo' (singular).
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I'm all ears' in Serbian?
Prijatelj ti kaže: 'Imam tajnu.' Šta ćeš reći?
This is the standard idiomatic expression.
Match the situation to the correct usage of the idiom.
Situation: A professor is about to reveal the exam questions.
Listening is the key action here.
Complete the dialogue.
Marko: 'Znaš li šta se desilo na poslu?' Jelena: 'Nemam pojma, ________ __ _ ___!'
Jelena is female, so she uses the feminine past tense 'pretvorila' and the reflexive 'se'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Ear Idioms
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosKada baka priča priču, deca se ________ u ____.
The correct form is 'pretvore' (perfective) and 'uvo' (singular).
Prijatelj ti kaže: 'Imam tajnu.' Šta ćeš reći?
This is the standard idiomatic expression.
Situation: A professor is about to reveal the exam questions.
Listening is the key action here.
Marko: 'Znaš li šta se desilo na poslu?' Jelena: 'Nemam pojma, ________ __ _ ___!'
Jelena is female, so she uses the feminine past tense 'pretvorila' and the reflexive 'se'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt's a bit informal for a standard email. Use 'Pažljivo ću saslušati vaše predloge' instead.
It is 'u uvo' (accusative) because it describes a transformation/movement into a state.
Yes, kids use it, and parents use it with kids to tell them to pay attention.
Yes, 'pretvoriti se u oko' or 'biti samo oči', but it's much less common than the ear version.
Pretvorila sam se u uvo.
You can, but 'Pretvorio sam se u uvo' is the idiomatic standard.
No, it's a standard idiom. It's not 'cool' slang, but it's very natural and common.
Not at all! It sounds very engaged and friendly.
You could say 'To mi je ušlo na jedno uvo, a izašlo na drugo.'
Yes, 'Pretvorio sam se u uvo dok sam slušao novi album.'
Frases relacionadas
Biti samo uvo
synonymTo be only an ear.
Naćuliti uši
similarTo prick up one's ears.
Slušati otvorenih usta
builds onTo listen with an open mouth.
Čuti na jedno uvo
contrastTo hear with one ear.
Ući na jedno uvo, izaći na drugo
contrastIn one ear, out the other.
