Signification
absurdly low or silly.
Contexte culturel
The chicken is a symbol of 'small-mindedness' in Russian culture. Calling someone a 'wet chicken' (мокрая курица) means they look pathetic or helpless. During the Soviet era, this phrase was often used in satirical magazines like 'Krokodil' to mock poor quality consumer goods or bureaucratic failures. In modern Russian business culture, using this phrase about a competitor's product is a common way to dismiss them as unprofessional. Russian fables often feature chickens as characters who are easily fooled, reinforcing the idea that if they are laughing, the situation is truly bottom-tier.
Use with 'Просто'
Adding 'просто' (simply/just) before the phrase makes it sound much more natural and emphatic: 'Это просто курам на смех!'
Not for Jokes
Never use this to compliment a comedian. It will sound like you are saying their act is pathetic and failed.
Signification
absurdly low or silly.
Use with 'Просто'
Adding 'просто' (simply/just) before the phrase makes it sound much more natural and emphatic: 'Это просто курам на смех!'
Not for Jokes
Never use this to compliment a comedian. It will sound like you are saying their act is pathetic and failed.
The Dash
In writing, this idiom is almost always preceded by a dash when it's the predicate: 'Его слова — курам на смех.'
Teste-toi
Choose the best situation to use 'курам на смех'.
In which of these scenarios would a Russian speaker say 'Это курам на смех!'?
The phrase is used for things that are pathetically or insultingly inadequate, like a tiny bonus.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Твои оправдания — просто ______ на ______.
The fixed form is 'курам' (dative plural) and 'смех' (accusative).
Match the comment to the situation.
Match: 1. Low salary, 2. Badly built wall, 3. Weak excuse.
The phrase can modify nouns like salary, work (building), or abstract concepts like excuses.
Complete the dialogue.
— Я купил этот телефон за 100 рублей. — Что? Он же сломан! Это просто...
Buying a broken phone for any price is an absurd situation.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Курам на смех'
Money
- • Tiny salary
- • 1% discount
- • Small tip
Quality
- • Bad repair
- • Cheap fabric
- • Broken toy
Effort
- • Weak excuse
- • Bad plan
- • Lazy work
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIn which of these scenarios would a Russian speaker say 'Это курам на смех!'?
The phrase is used for things that are pathetically or insultingly inadequate, like a tiny bonus.
Твои оправдания — просто ______ на ______.
The fixed form is 'курам' (dative plural) and 'смех' (accusative).
Match: 1. Low salary, 2. Badly built wall, 3. Weak excuse.
The phrase can modify nouns like salary, work (building), or abstract concepts like excuses.
— Я купил этот телефон за 100 рублей. — Что? Он же сломан! Это просто...
Buying a broken phone for any price is an absurd situation.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's dismissive and mocking, so yes, it can be rude if directed at a person's sincere effort. Use with caution.
No, the idiom is fixed in the plural 'курам'. Singular sounds like a mistake.
No, it can be about quality, excuses, behavior, or any situation that is pathetically inadequate.
Yes, it is very common in modern Russian, especially in online comments and news.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you could say 'выше всяких похвал' (beyond all praise).
Only if you are very close with the recipient and are complaining about a third party. It's too informal for official correspondence.
Chickens are traditionally viewed as the least intelligent farm animals in Russian culture.
Yes, in this specific idiom, it is always 'на смех'.
No, the order is fixed: 'курам на смех'.
No, it's a standard idiom. It's informal but not slang.
Expressions liées
смех да и только
similarIt's just a joke / nothing but a laugh.
грош цена
similarWorthless / worth a penny.
ни в какие ворота не лезет
similarThat's going too far / it's unacceptable.
обхохочешься
contrastYou'll die laughing (sarcastic).
