A1 Idiom Informal

На один зуб

на один зуб

For one tooth

Significado

A very small portion of food.

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Contexto cultural

Ukrainian culture is famous for its hospitality. If you use this phrase at a dinner party, make sure it's with close friends, as a host might take it as a sign they haven't provided enough food. In Ukrainian villages, portions are traditionally huge. This idiom is often used by men coming back from field work to tease their wives about 'small' portions that would actually be considered large in a city. In modern Kyiv or Lviv, you'll hear this phrase often in trendy cafes when people discuss the 'tasting portions' of expensive desserts. Students often use this when sharing limited food in dormitories, highlighting the struggle of making a small snack last.

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Use with 'мені'

Always add 'мені' (to me) to make it sound more natural and personal: 'Це мені на один зуб'.

⚠️

Don't use for money

If you have very little money, use 'як кіт наплакав', not 'на один зуб'.

Significado

A very small portion of food.

🎯

Use with 'мені'

Always add 'мені' (to me) to make it sound more natural and personal: 'Це мені на один зуб'.

⚠️

Don't use for money

If you have very little money, use 'як кіт наплакав', not 'на один зуб'.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.

Цей маленький шматочок торта мені ... .

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: на один зуб

The fixed idiom is 'на один зуб'.

In which situation is it appropriate to use 'на один зуб'?

Виберіть правильну ситуацію:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Коли вам дали дуже маленьку порцію салату.

The idiom specifically refers to small portions of food.

What would the second speaker say?

— Хочеш одну горішинку? — Дякую, але ...

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: це мені на один зуб.

The speaker is jokingly saying the snack is too small.

Match the phrase to the meaning.

Match 'На один зуб' with its definition:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Дуже мало їжі

It means a very small amount of food.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom. Fill Blank A1

Цей маленький шматочок торта мені ... .

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: на один зуб

The fixed idiom is 'на один зуб'.

In which situation is it appropriate to use 'на один зуб'? Choose A1

Виберіть правильну ситуацію:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Коли вам дали дуже маленьку порцію салату.

The idiom specifically refers to small portions of food.

What would the second speaker say? dialogue_completion A2

— Хочеш одну горішинку? — Дякую, але ...

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: це мені на один зуб.

The speaker is jokingly saying the snack is too small.

Match the phrase to the meaning. situation_matching A1

Match 'На один зуб' with its definition:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Дуже мало їжі

It means a very small amount of food.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

3 preguntas

It can be slightly rude if you say it to a host who just cooked for you. Use it with friends or to complain about commercial portions.

Usually no. For drinks, we say 'на один ковток' (for one gulp).

Yes, the phrase is identical in Russian ('на один зуб'), which is why it's very common across Eastern Europe.

Frases relacionadas

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Як кіт наплакав

similar

Very little (of anything)

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На один укус

synonym

For one bite

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Заморити черв'ячка

builds on

To have a quick snack to stave off hunger

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Стіл ломиться

contrast

The table is breaking (from the weight of food)

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