Bedeutung
Someone who is no longer young.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In villages, chickens are still a part of daily life. Knowing the age of a bird is crucial for cooking. This idiom bridges the gap between the farm and the city. The phrase was a staple of 20th-century Budapest cabaret, used by comedians to poke fun at aging socialites and politicians. Despite the humorous idiom, Hungarian culture generally treats the elderly with high linguistic respect (using 'tetszik'). This idiom is the 'informal exception'. Hungarians use many food-related idioms because food is central to social identity. If you are 'tough' like an old chicken, you have 'seen the world'.
Use it for yourself
The safest and most charming way to use this is about yourself when you make a mistake or feel tired.
Gender Neutral
Even though 'csirke' is a chicken, it is used for both men and women equally.
Bedeutung
Someone who is no longer young.
Use it for yourself
The safest and most charming way to use this is about yourself when you make a mistake or feel tired.
Gender Neutral
Even though 'csirke' is a chicken, it is used for both men and women equally.
The 'Már' Factor
Always try to include 'már' (already) to sound like a native speaker: 'Már nem mai csirke.'
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Péter már 60 éves, ő nem ___ csirke.
The correct adjective is 'mai' (today's).
Which sentence is the most natural way for a 50-year-old to joke about their age?
How would you say 'I'm no spring chicken'?
Adding 'már' and conjugating 'vagyok' is the most natural form.
Match the situation to the correct use of the idiom.
In which situation is 'nem mai csirke' appropriate?
It is an informal idiom suitable for friends and objects.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Kijössz focizni a srácokkal?' B: 'Áh, nem...'
This is the standard way to decline physical activity due to age.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenPéter már 60 éves, ő nem ___ csirke.
The correct adjective is 'mai' (today's).
How would you say 'I'm no spring chicken'?
Adding 'már' and conjugating 'vagyok' is the most natural form.
In which situation is 'nem mai csirke' appropriate?
It is an informal idiom suitable for friends and objects.
A: 'Kijössz focizni a srácokkal?' B: 'Áh, nem...'
This is the standard way to decline physical activity due to age.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
6 FragenIt can be if said with a mean tone to a stranger, but among friends, it's a friendly tease.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. However, be careful as some women might be sensitive about age.
'Gyerek' (child) is slightly more common for people in their 30s-40s, while 'csirke' is used for anyone older than youth.
Yes, but 'nem mai darab' is slightly more common for objects.
Nem vagyok már mai csirke.
Yes: 'Nem mai csirkék'. Example: 'Mi már nem vagyunk mai csirkék.'
Verwandte Redewendungen
Nem mai gyerek
synonymNot a today's child.
Nem mai darab
specialized formNot a today's piece.
Benne van a korban
similarTo be in the age.
Régi motoros
builds onOld biker.
Kifelé megy a korból
similarGoing out of the age.
