A1 Idiom Informal

Nem mai csirke

Not a spring chicken

Significado

Someone who is no longer young.

🌍

Contexto cultural

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.

Significado

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.'

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.

Péter már 60 éves, ő nem ___ csirke.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: mai

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'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Nem vagyok már mai csirke.

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?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

It is an informal idiom suitable for friends and objects.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Kijössz focizni a srácokkal?' B: 'Áh, nem...'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: ...vagyok már mai csirke.

This is the standard way to decline physical activity due to age.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom. Fill Blank A1

Péter már 60 éves, ő nem ___ csirke.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: mai

The correct adjective is 'mai' (today's).

Which sentence is the most natural way for a 50-year-old to joke about their age? Choose A2

How would you say 'I'm no spring chicken'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Nem vagyok már mai csirke.

Adding 'már' and conjugating 'vagyok' is the most natural form.

Match the situation to the correct use of the idiom. situation_matching B1

In which situation is 'nem mai csirke' appropriate?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

It is an informal idiom suitable for friends and objects.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: 'Kijössz focizni a srácokkal?' B: 'Áh, nem...'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: ...vagyok már mai csirke.

This is the standard way to decline physical activity due to age.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

6 preguntas

It 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.'

Frases relacionadas

🔄

Nem mai gyerek

synonym

Not a today's child.

🔗

Nem mai darab

specialized form

Not a today's piece.

🔗

Benne van a korban

similar

To be in the age.

🔗

Régi motoros

builds on

Old biker.

🔗

Kifelé megy a korból

similar

Going out of the age.

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