Signification
An indecisive or unremarkable person.
Contexte culturel
In Ukraine, being 'ні риба ні м'ясо' is often contrasted with the ideal of being 'гострий на язик' (sharp-tongued) or 'має стержень' (having a spine). The phrase is linked to the Orthodox and Catholic traditions of fasting, where fish was a 'neutral' food compared to the 'festive' meat. In big cities like Kyiv, this phrase is frequently used in the tech and creative industries to describe 'gray' projects or uninspired designs. In rural areas, it might be used to describe a neighbor who doesn't help out but also doesn't cause trouble—someone essentially invisible to the community.
Use it for 'Meh'
If you want to sound like a native, use this phrase instead of saying 'it was okay' (це було нормально) when you actually found something boring.
Don't use for friends
Unless you are joking, calling a friend 'ні риба ні м'ясо' is quite insulting. It implies they are weak.
Signification
An indecisive or unremarkable person.
Use it for 'Meh'
If you want to sound like a native, use this phrase instead of saying 'it was okay' (це було нормально) when you actually found something boring.
Don't use for friends
Unless you are joking, calling a friend 'ні риба ні м'ясо' is quite insulting. It implies they are weak.
The Comma Rule
Native speakers often argue about the comma. In school, you learn to put commas between 'ні... ні...', but in this idiom, the comma is officially NOT required.
Teste-toi
Заповніть пропуски в реченні.
Він не може вибрати, куди піти. Він справді ні ___ ні ___.
The idiom is 'ні риба ні м'ясо'.
Виберіть правильне значення фрази.
Що означає 'ні риба ні м'ясо'?
The idiom describes indecisiveness or lack of character.
Знайдіть ситуацію, де ця фраза доречна.
У якій ситуації ви скажете 'ні риба ні м'ясо'?
This describes extreme indecisiveness.
Доповніть діалог.
- Тобі сподобався новий фільм? - Та ні, він якийсь...
'Ні риба ні м'ясо' fits the context of a mediocre movie.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesВін не може вибрати, куди піти. Він справді ні ___ ні ___.
The idiom is 'ні риба ні м'ясо'.
Що означає 'ні риба ні м'ясо'?
The idiom describes indecisiveness or lack of character.
У якій ситуації ви скажете 'ні риба ні м'ясо'?
This describes extreme indecisiveness.
- Тобі сподобався новий фільм? - Та ні, він якийсь...
'Ні риба ні м'ясо' fits the context of a mediocre movie.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not a swear word, but it is a negative description. It's safe to use in most social situations, but it's not polite.
Technically yes, but it will sound like a metaphor for the meal being bland, rather than a description of the ingredients.
In Ukrainian grammar, when two words form a single fixed idiom (phraseologism), the comma is omitted.
You could say someone is 'людина з характером' (a person with character) or 'кремінь' (flint/hard as a rock).
Only behind someone's back. It's too informal and critical for professional feedback.
Yes, it's gender-neutral. You can say 'Вона ні риба ні м'ясо.'
Not at all. It's still very common in modern Ukrainian speech and media.
No, the order is fixed. It's always fish first, then meat.
This is the exact equivalent! 'Ні риба ні м'ясо' is the translation.
Yes, if a situation is ambiguous or going nowhere, you can call it 'ні риба ні м'ясо'.
Expressions liées
Ні се ні те
synonymNeither this nor that.
Ні пава ні ґава
similarNeither a peacock nor a crow.
Як риба у воді
contrastLike a fish in water.
Мати стержень
contrastTo have a spine/core.
