# Metuljček cekinček

"Metuljček cekinček" ("Butterfly, Little Sequin") is a gentle Slovenian folk children's song — a little chat with a butterfly who has been sipping nectar from a tiny daisy until his tummy is as full as a barrel.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Slovenia |
| Sung in | Slovenian |
| Words by | Traditional |
| First known | Slovenian folk children's song; author unknown |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | playful, traditional |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/metuljcek-cekincek/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (sl)

Metuljček cekinček,
ti potepinček,
kje si pa bil.

### Verse 2 (sl)

Pri majceni cvetki,
drobni marjetki,
medek sem pil.

### Verse 3 (sl)

Potem pa želodček,
poln kot sodček,
bil je nalit.

### Verse 4 (sl)

Sem rekel marjetki,
drobceni cvetki,
zdaj sem pa sit.

### English translation (en)

Butterfly, little sequin,
you little vagabond,
where have you been?

At a tiny flower,
a little daisy,
I was sipping nectar.

And then my little tummy,
full as a little barrel,
was all filled up.

I said to the daisy,
the tiny flower:
now I'm quite full.

## Common questions

**What is "Metuljček cekinček" about?**

A little conversation with a butterfly. He is called "cekinček" (little sequin or gold coin) for the way he shimmers, and a "potepinček" (little vagabond) for his wandering. Asked where he has been, he explains he was at a tiny daisy sipping nectar until his tummy was "full as a little barrel", so now he is quite satisfied.

**What do the names mean?**

"Cekinček" comes from "cekin", a gold coin, and suggests the butterfly's glittering wings; "potepinček" means a little vagabond or wanderer. The affectionate diminutives all through the song give it its tender, small-scale charm.

**Who wrote "Metuljček cekinček"?**

It is a Slovenian folk children's song ("narodna/ljudska") with no single recorded author, handed down among children and often collected among the classic Slovenian nursery songs.

## Sources

- [Slovenske narodne pesmi — Metuljček cekinček](https://narodne-pesmi.si/pesmi/otroske-pesmi-izvedbe/metuljek-cekinek/)