Significado
Being very clumsy.
Contexto cultural
In Bulgarian villages, a man's worth was often measured by his ability to fix things around the house. Being 'с две леви ръце' was a serious social disadvantage in the past. Across the Balkans, there is a shared culture of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) out of necessity. This idiom is common in Serbian and Macedonian as well. Younger Bulgarians use the phrase ironically to describe their struggle with 'adulting' tasks like cooking or basic maintenance. The 'left is bad' bias is a global phenomenon, seen in words like 'sinister' (Latin for left) and 'gauche' (French for left/awkward).
Self-Deprecation is Key
Bulgarians love people who can laugh at themselves. Using this phrase when you make a mistake makes you look humble and funny.
Don't use for Lefties
Never use this to describe someone just because they are left-handed. It's about skill, not biology!
Significado
Being very clumsy.
Self-Deprecation is Key
Bulgarians love people who can laugh at themselves. Using this phrase when you make a mistake makes you look humble and funny.
Don't use for Lefties
Never use this to describe someone just because they are left-handed. It's about skill, not biology!
Pair with 'Майстор'
If you want to be sarcastic, call someone a 'голям майстор' (great master) right after they do something clumsy.
The 'Golden Hands' contrast
Always remember the opposite: 'Златни ръце'. It helps you remember both idioms as a pair.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Той винаги чупи чиниите, защото е с две ___ ___.
We need the plural form of both 'left' (леви) and 'hands' (ръце).
Which situation best fits the idiom 'с две леви ръце'?
Кога казваме това?
The idiom specifically refers to manual clumsiness and lack of repair skills.
Choose the best response.
Мария: 'Ох, пак изпуснах ключовете в шахтата!' Иван: '...'
This is a natural, informal reaction to someone dropping something.
Match the person to the description.
Кой е с две леви ръце?
Being unable to change a lightbulb is a classic sign of being 'с две леви ръце'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosТой винаги чупи чиниите, защото е с две ___ ___.
We need the plural form of both 'left' (леви) and 'hands' (ръце).
Кога казваме това?
The idiom specifically refers to manual clumsiness and lack of repair skills.
Мария: 'Ох, пак изпуснах ключовете в шахтата!' Иван: '...'
This is a natural, informal reaction to someone dropping something.
Кой е с две леви ръце?
Being unable to change a lightbulb is a classic sign of being 'с две леви ръце'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasUsually no, it's seen as a lighthearted joke. However, don't use it in a serious performance review.
No, the idiom is fixed as 'two left hands'. Saying 'one' would sound like a literal physical description.
No, for dancing or sports clumsiness, Bulgarians still mostly use 'с две леви ръце' or just 'непохватен'.
No, it is gender-neutral and can be used for anyone.
Say: 'Аз съм с две леви ръце'.
The opposite is 'със златни ръце' (with golden hands).
Not really. It's specifically for physical/manual clumsiness.
Yes, it's one of the top 100 most used idioms in Bulgaria.
Yes, it's very common in texting, often accompanied by a facepalm emoji.
Yes: 'Бях с две леви ръце' (I was clumsy).
Frases relacionadas
Вързан в ръцете
synonymTied in the hands
Златни ръце
contrastGolden hands
Непохватен
similarClumsy
Карък
builds onA jinx / Unlucky person
