Signification
Something unremarkable or mediocre.
Contexte culturel
In Russian culture, being 'gray' (unremarkable) is often seen as a negative trait. People value strong opinions, even if they disagree with them. During the Soviet period, the phrase was often used to describe 'passive' citizens who didn't participate in social life but didn't oppose it either. The phrase relates to the strict fasting calendar where fish was allowed on certain days when meat was not. Something that was neither was 'outside the law'. In modern Russian startups, this phrase is used to criticize 'slow' corporate culture that lacks a clear competitive edge.
No Comma!
This is the #1 mistake. Even though 'ни... ни...' usually requires a comma, fixed idioms like this are the exception.
Use for 'Meh'
If you want to sound like a native when something is underwhelming, this is your go-to phrase.
Signification
Something unremarkable or mediocre.
No Comma!
This is the #1 mistake. Even though 'ни... ни...' usually requires a comma, fixed idioms like this are the exception.
Use for 'Meh'
If you want to sound like a native when something is underwhelming, this is your go-to phrase.
Don't be 'Gray'
In Russia, it's often better to be wrong than to be 'ни рыба ни мясо'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Этот новый ресторан мне не понравился: еда там ни ___ ни ___.
The idiom is 'ни рыба ни мясо'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly without punctuation errors?
Выберите правильный вариант:
Fixed idioms with 'ни... ни...' do not use commas.
Match the situation to the best use of the idiom.
Ситуация: Вы посмотрели фильм, который был не плохим, но и не интересным. Что вы скажете?
'Ни рыба ни мясо' describes mediocrity.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Fish vs Meat vs Neither
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesЭтот новый ресторан мне не понравился: еда там ни ___ ни ___.
The idiom is 'ни рыба ни мясо'.
Выберите правильный вариант:
Fixed idioms with 'ни... ни...' do not use commas.
Ситуация: Вы посмотрели фильм, который был не плохим, но и не интересным. Что вы скажете?
'Ни рыба ни мясо' describes mediocrity.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, the phrase is fixed. You say 'Она ни рыба ни мясо.' You don't change the words to match her gender.
It's dismissive. It's not a swear word, but it's not a compliment. Use it behind someone's back, not to their face.
No, the order is fixed. It must always be fish first, then meat.
Not really. To say someone is great, you'd say 'Яркая личность' (vivid personality) or 'Человек с большой буквы'.
Yes, if the food is bland and you can't tell what it is, it's a funny and accurate use.
Usually, it follows the verb 'быть' (to be), which is often omitted in the present tense in Russian.
Only informally. In a formal meeting, it would sound too emotional.
The closest is 'Neither fish nor fowl' or 'Neither here nor there'.
It comes from old religious fasting rules where these were the two main categories of food.
Yes, it's very common for describing mediocre art or entertainment.
Expressions liées
Ни то ни сё
synonymNeither this nor that
Ни пава ни ворона
similarNeither a peacock nor a crow
Как рыба в воде
contrastLike a fish in water
Серединка на половинку
similarSo-so / Average
