Signification
Something very easy to do.
Contexte culturel
In Serbia, cats are beloved pets but also seen as small and somewhat fragile compared to the 'heroic' dogs of epic poetry. This contrast fuels the idiom. In Montenegro, where there is a strong tradition of 'čojstvo i junaštvo' (humanity and bravery), calling something a 'mačji kašalj' is a way to show one's stoic nature. In the northern plains of Serbia, the phrase is used with a slower, more relaxed tempo, often followed by 'polako' (slowly/take it easy). Belgrade youth often shorten the sentiment or combine it with English loanwords, but 'mačji kašalj' remains a staple of 'cool' confidence.
Use it for confidence
Say it when you want to impress someone with how easily you handled a problem.
Not for doctors
Never use this to describe your actual cough to a medical professional.
Signification
Something very easy to do.
Use it for confidence
Say it when you want to impress someone with how easily you handled a problem.
Not for doctors
Never use this to describe your actual cough to a medical professional.
The 'Za mene' trick
Adding 'za mene' (for me) before the idiom makes you sound more humble and subjective.
Animal idioms
Serbian uses many animal idioms; learning this one opens the door to others like 'mrtvo puvalo'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Ovaj zadatak je ______ kašalj.
The idiom is specifically 'mačji kašalj' (cat's cough). Other animals are not used.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the natural Serbian sentence:
The idiom is used to describe an easy task, like running a marathon for an athlete.
Match the situation to the response.
Situation: Your friend is nervous about a 5-minute presentation.
You use the idiom to reassure your friend that the task is easy.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Da li je teško naučiti da voziš bicikl? B: Ne, zapravo je ______.
In this context, B is saying that learning to ride a bike is very easy.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Animal Sounds vs. Meaning
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesOvaj zadatak je ______ kašalj.
The idiom is specifically 'mačji kašalj' (cat's cough). Other animals are not used.
Select the natural Serbian sentence:
The idiom is used to describe an easy task, like running a marathon for an athlete.
Situation: Your friend is nervous about a 5-minute presentation.
You use the idiom to reassure your friend that the task is easy.
A: Da li je teško naučiti da voziš bicikl? B: Ne, zapravo je ______.
In this context, B is saying that learning to ride a bike is very easy.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsBoth are correct, but 'mačji' is much more common in this specific idiom.
No, you can't say a person is a 'mačji kašalj' to mean they are easy-going. It only refers to tasks or problems.
It's not rude, but it is informal. Use it with friends, not in a formal letter to the President.
No, that doesn't exist as an idiom. It must be a cat.
Technically yes, but it's almost never used. Stick to the singular.
Yes, the meaning is identical.
Yes: 'To je bio mačji kašalj.'
Extremely common. You will hear it in movies, on the street, and in offices.
You will sound sarcastic or very arrogant.
Yes, 'smejurija' is a more slangy way to say the same thing.
Yes, to describe a very small amount of money.
Because a cat's cough is perceived as tiny and insignificant.
Only if you are describing a past success and the tone is relaxed.
Yes, it is understood and used across the entire ex-Yu region.
Expressions liées
Prosto ko pasulj
synonymSimple as beans
Lako ko pero
similarLight as a feather
Dečja igra
synonymChild's play
Smejurija
informalA joke
Španska sela
contrastSpanish villages
Tvrd orah
contrastA hard nut
