The Most Charming Slovenian Proverbs and Their Wisdom

Slovenian proverbs are like little nuggets of wisdom wrapped in rustic charm. They’re practical, often hilarious, and occasionally profound - like your grandma’s advice, but with more poetic flair. Here’s a collection of the most delightful ones, along with what they *actually* mean (because sometimes, the translation needs a bit of unpacking).

1. "Kdor se zadnji smeje, se najslajše smeje."

Kdor se zadnji smeje, se najslajše smeje.

/kdoɾ sɛ ˈzadnji ˈsmɛjɛ sɛ ˈnajslajʃɛ ˈsmɛjɛ/

“He who laughs last, laughs sweetest.”

The Slovenian version of the classic ‘last laugh’ proverb, but with added emphasis on the *sweetness* of victory. Basically, don’t gloat too early - wait until you’ve actually won.

2. "Bog daj, da bi vsak imel, kar si želi, pa bi kmalu vsak imel, česar si ne želi."

Bog daj, da bi vsak imel, kar si želi, pa bi kmalu vsak imel, česar si ne želi.

/boɡ daj da bi fsak ˈimɛl kaɾ si ˈʒɛli pa bi ˈkmalu fsak ˈimɛl ˈtʃɛsaɾ si nɛ ˈʒɛli/

“God grant that everyone gets what they wish for, and soon everyone would have what they don’t wish for.”

A brutally honest take on human nature. Slovenians know that wishes are fickle, and getting everything you want might just ruin your life. Be careful what you wish for, folks.

3. "Kdor drugemu jamo koplje, sam vanjo pade."

Kdor drugemu jamo koplje, sam vanjo pade.

/kdoɾ ˈdɾuɡɛmu ˈjamo ˈkopljɛ sam ˈvanjo ˈpadɛ/

“He who digs a pit for others falls into it himself.”

Karma, Slovenian-style. If you’re plotting someone’s downfall, don’t be surprised when you trip into your own trap. A timeless lesson in not being a scheming little weasel.

4. "Boljši vrabec v roki, kot golob na strehi."

Boljši vrabec v roki, kot golob na strehi.

/ˈboljʃi ˈvɾabɛts v ˈɾoki kot ˈɡolop na ˈstɾɛxi/

“Better a sparrow in the hand than a pigeon on the roof.”

The Slovenian twist on ‘a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.’ Except here, it’s a *sparrow* versus a *pigeon*, which feels oddly specific. Maybe Slovenians just really dislike pigeons.

5. "Kadar mačka odsotna, miši plesajo."

Kadar mačka odsotna, miši plesajo.

/ˈkadaɾ ˈmatʃka ˈotsotna ˈmiʃi ˈplɛsajo/

“When the cat’s away, the mice dance.”

Universal truth: chaos ensues when authority disappears. Slovenian mice don’t just play - they throw a full-on rave.

6. "Stara ljubezen ne rjavi."

Stara ljubezen ne rjavi.

/ˈstaɾa ˈljubɛzɛn nɛ ˈɾjavi/

“Old love doesn’t rust.”

A poetic way of saying that true love endures. Unlike, say, Slovenian bicycles left out in the rain.

7. "Kdor se z volkovi druži, tuli z njimi."

Kdor se z volkovi druži, tuli z njimi.

/kdoɾ sɛ z ˈvolkovi ˈdɾuʒi ˈtuli z ˈnjimi/

“He who runs with wolves, howls with them.”

Slovenians have a flair for dramatic imagery. If you hang out with troublemakers, don’t be shocked when you start causing trouble too.

8. "Dobro besedo tudi pes posluša."

Dobro besedo tudi pes posluša.

/ˈdobɾo ˈbɛsɛdo ˈtudi pɛs ˈposluʃa/

“Even a dog listens to a kind word.”

A reminder that kindness goes a long way - even if your audience has four legs and a tail.

9. "Kdor hitro žanje, hitro pozna."

Kdor hitro žanje, hitro pozna.

/kdoɾ ˈhitɾo ˈʒanjɛ ˈhitɾo ˈpozna/

“He who reaps quickly, quickly learns.”

Slovenian farmers knew the value of patience. Rush the harvest, and you’ll regret it. Same goes for life, really.

10. "Kjer ni dima, tam ni ognja."

Kjer ni dima, tam ni ognja.

/kjɛɾ ni ˈdima tam ni ˈoɡnja/

“Where there’s no smoke, there’s no fire.”

A pragmatic take on rumours. If there’s no evidence, don’t go looking for drama.

Pro tip: If you’re learning Slovenian, sprinkling these into conversation will make you sound like a local - or at least like someone who’s spent too much time eavesdropping on Slovenian grandmothers.

For more linguistic gems, check out our guide to Slovenian vs Serbian or Croatian idioms for neighbouring wisdom.