Bedeutung
something beyond one's capabilities.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The idiom reflects the historical importance of physical strength and 'bite' in a harsh survivalist environment. In modern Russian business, using this phrase shows a level of 'brutal honesty' that is often appreciated over false confidence. Russian students often use this to bond over the difficulty of Soviet-style rigorous academic requirements. Classic Russian literature uses this to describe moral or social barriers that characters cannot cross.
Use with 'Оказаться'
The phrase sounds very natural with the verb 'оказаться' (to turn out to be). E.g., 'Задача оказалась мне не по зубам.'
Dative Case is Key
Always check your pronouns. 'Меня' is a common mistake; always use 'мне', 'тебе', etc.
Bedeutung
something beyond one's capabilities.
Use with 'Оказаться'
The phrase sounds very natural with the verb 'оказаться' (to turn out to be). E.g., 'Задача оказалась мне не по зубам.'
Dative Case is Key
Always check your pronouns. 'Меня' is a common mistake; always use 'мне', 'тебе', etc.
Honesty in Business
In Russia, admitting a task is 'не по зубам' can build trust as it shows you know your limits.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the pronoun (Dative case).
Этот сложный проект (я) ___ не по зубам.
The idiom 'не по зубам' requires the Dative case for the person.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'не по зубам'?
Выберите правильную ситуацию:
The idiom refers to something being too difficult to handle.
Complete the dialogue.
— Ты пойдёшь на марафон? — Нет, 42 километра мне пока ___.
The correct idiom is 'не по зубам'.
Match the Russian phrase with its English meaning.
Сопоставьте пары:
All these are valid translations of the idiom in different contexts.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenЭтот сложный проект (я) ___ не по зубам.
The idiom 'не по зубам' requires the Dative case for the person.
Выберите правильную ситуацию:
The idiom refers to something being too difficult to handle.
— Ты пойдёшь на марафон? — Нет, 42 километра мне пока ___.
The correct idiom is 'не по зубам'.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
All these are valid translations of the idiom in different contexts.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes! If you say 'Она мне не по зубам,' it means she is out of your league or too difficult for you to handle.
No, it's not rude. It's a standard idiom. However, saying it *about* someone else ('Это ему не по зубам') can sound a bit dismissive of their abilities.
Technically yes, but people will likely think you are making a pun. For food, it's better to say 'слишком жёсткий' (too tough).
The opposite is 'по зубам', but it's used much less frequently. Usually, people say 'мне это под силу'.
Yes, in a semi-formal or internal meeting, it's a great way to express that a challenge is very high.
Not necessarily. You can add 'пока' (for now) to say 'это мне пока не по зубам'.
The phrase itself is already plural ('зубам'). You don't change it if more people are involved; you just change the pronoun: 'нам не по зубам'.
No, it's a standard idiom found in literature and newspapers.
You can say 'Я взял на себя слишком много' or use 'не по зубам' to describe the result: 'Я взялся за это, но проект оказался мне не по зубам'.
Only if you are trying to 'break' or 'solve' it metaphorically. For a heavy box, use 'не поднять'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
не по плечу
similarbeyond one's strength/responsibility
не под силу
synonymbeyond one's power
крепкий орешек
builds ona tough nut to crack
не по карману
specialized formcannot afford
