# Ekate, pekate, cukate me

"Ekate, pekate, cukate me" is a Slovenian counting-out rhyme (an "izštevanka") — a string of playful nonsense syllables children chant to decide who is "it", the local cousin of "eeny, meeny, miny, moe".

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Slovenia |
| Sung in | Slovenian |
| Words by | Traditional |
| First known | traditional counting-out rhyme; author unknown |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | playful, traditional |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/ekate-pekate-cukate-me/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (sl)

Ekate, pekate, cukate me,
Fibe, fabe, domine,
Ektum, pektum, kufer štuc,
Kvinto, kvanto, finger puc.

### English translation (en)

Ekate, pekate, cukate me,
fibe, fabe, domine,
ektum, pektum, suitcase stub,
kvinto, kvanto, finger wipe.
(mostly playful nonsense syllables, chanted for the rhythm)

## How to sing it

1. Stand in a circle and point to a different child on each word or syllable.
2. Chant it briskly, right around the ring.
3. Whoever the last word lands on is "it" (or is out) — then play the game.

## Common questions

**What is "Ekate, pekate, cukate me"?**

A counting-out rhyme — in Slovenian, an "izštevanka". Children chant it while pointing round a circle, one person per word, and whoever the last word lands on is chosen (to be "it", or to be out). It is the Slovenian equivalent of "eeny, meeny, miny, moe".

**What do the words mean?**

Almost nothing — that's the point. They are mostly playful nonsense syllables (some borrowed and mangled from other languages), chosen for their rhythm rather than any meaning. The steady beat is what matters for counting out.

**Who wrote "Ekate, pekate, cukate me"?**

No one knows; counting-out rhymes are pure oral tradition, passed from child to child in the playground, which is why they survive in so many nonsense variations.