معنی
Something that is very easy to do.
زمینه فرهنگی
Croatians often use animal-based idioms to describe human traits. A 'cat's cough' is one of the most polite ones, compared to 'working like a horse' or 'stubborn as a mule.' In coastal regions, where life is traditionally slower ('pomalo'), this idiom fits the local philosophy of not stressing over small things. This phrase is a 'Balkanism'—it exists in Serbian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin with the exact same meaning, making it a powerful tool for regional communication. Younger generations in Zagreb or Split might mix this with English loanwords, but 'mačji kašalj' remains a staple that hasn't been replaced by modern slang.
Use it for confidence
If someone asks if you can do something, saying 'To je mačji kašalj' makes you sound very capable.
Watch the gender
Always use 'mačji' (masculine). Never say 'mačja' or 'mačje' even if you are a woman.
معنی
Something that is very easy to do.
Use it for confidence
If someone asks if you can do something, saying 'To je mačji kašalj' makes you sound very capable.
Watch the gender
Always use 'mačji' (masculine). Never say 'mačja' or 'mačje' even if you are a woman.
The Negative Power
Use 'Nije to mačji kašalj' to sound like a wise expert warning a beginner.
Regional reach
You can use this in Zagreb, Split, Sarajevo, and Belgrade—everyone will understand you!
خودت رو بسنج
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Ne brini za test, to je mačji _______.
The correct word is 'kašalj' (cough).
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'It was easy'?
How would you say 'The homework was a piece of cake'?
The idiom uses the verb 'biti' (was - bila) and the masculine form 'mačji'.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your friend is nervous about a 1km run. You are an athlete. What do you say?
'Mačji kašalj' is used to describe something easy.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Je li teško naučiti voziti bicikl? B: Ma kakvi, to je ________.
The speaker is dismissing the difficulty, so the idiom fits perfectly.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Difficulty Levels
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاNe brini za test, to je mačji _______.
The correct word is 'kašalj' (cough).
How would you say 'The homework was a piece of cake'?
The idiom uses the verb 'biti' (was - bila) and the masculine form 'mačji'.
Situation: Your friend is nervous about a 1km run. You are an athlete. What do you say?
'Mačji kašalj' is used to describe something easy.
A: Je li teško naučiti voziti bicikl? B: Ma kakvi, to je ________.
The speaker is dismissing the difficulty, so the idiom fits perfectly.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
سوالات متداول
14 سوالNo, you use it for tasks, problems, or situations. You wouldn't call a person a 'cat's cough' unless you mean they are an easy opponent in a game.
Not at all. It's informal and friendly. However, don't use it to dismiss someone's genuine pain.
Because cats are small and their coughs are perceived as tiny and insignificant compared to larger animals.
Yes, you can say 'To je vrlo jednostavno' or 'To je sitnica.'
No, that doesn't exist as an idiom. Stick to the cats!
It's like the 'y' in 'yes' but with your tongue touching the roof of your mouth. Like the 'gl' in Italian 'tagliatelle'.
You can just say 'Mačji kašalj!' as a standalone exclamation.
Only in very casual business settings with colleagues you know well.
Then you say 'To NIJE mačji kašalj.'
No, it's still very much alive and used by all generations.
In texts, emails to friends, or blog posts, yes. In a formal essay, no.
No, it's always singular.
Exactly the same meaning and usage level.
Only to say that cooking the food was easy, not that the food itself is a cat's cough.
عبارات مرتبط
Lako ko pero
synonymEasy as a feather
Sitnica
similarA trifle / small thing
Od šale
similarWith ease / like a joke
Nije to mačji kašalj
builds onIt's no small feat
Prosta ko pasulj
synonymSimple as beans
