# Zajček dolgoušček

"Zajček dolgoušček" ("Little Long-Eared Rabbit") is a much-loved Slovenian children's song by Janez Bitenc, describing a white rabbit with quick paws and long whiskers who lives in the barn and comes trustingly up to the singer.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Slovenia |
| Sung in | Slovenian |
| Words by | Janez Bitenc |
| First known | by Janez Bitenc |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | playful, traditional |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/zajcek-dolgouscek/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (sl)

Zajček dolgoušček, bel imaš kožušček,
hitre tačke, ostre zobke, dolge brke, repek siv.

### Verse 2 (sl)

S kravico stanuješ, v hlevu poskakuješ,
repo glodaš in korenje, deteljico in krompir.

### Verse 3 (sl)

Vsakemu uideš, k meni vselej prideš,
s smrčkom vohaš, prst poližeš, potlej pa vesel zbežiš.

### English translation (en)

Little long-eared rabbit, you have a white little coat,
quick little paws, sharp little teeth, long whiskers, a grey little tail.

You live with the cow, you hop about in the barn,
you gnaw turnip and carrot, clover and potato.

You escape from everyone, but you always come to me,
you sniff with your snout, lick my finger, then happily run away.

## Common questions

**What is "Zajček dolgoušček" about?**

A friendly little rabbit. The song describes him lovingly, part by part — a white coat, quick paws, sharp little teeth, long whiskers, a grey tail — then tells how he lives with the cow in the barn, nibbling turnip, carrot, clover and potato, and how, though he escapes from everyone else, he always comes trustingly to the singer, sniffs, licks a finger, and hops happily away.

**Who wrote "Zajček dolgoušček"?**

The Slovenian children's composer Janez Bitenc (1925–2005), one of the most prolific and beloved writers of Slovenian children's songs — his tunes are known to nearly every child in the country.

**What makes "Zajček dolgoušček" a favourite?**

Its warmth and its gentle detail. By describing the rabbit so tenderly and ending with him coming to the child's own hand, it turns a simple animal song into a little moment of trust and affection.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia — Janez Bitenc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janez_Bitenc)
