Significado
Used to describe something mediocre or average.
Contexto cultural
Romanians often use 'așa și așa' accompanied by a specific hand gesture: holding the hand out with palm down and tilting it side to side. In the capital, 'așa și așa' can sometimes be a polite way of saying 'I didn't like it at all', especially when talking about new trendy spots. In villages, saying 'așa și așa' about your health or wealth is a way to avoid 'deochi' (the evil eye). It's safer to be average than too lucky. In the eastern part of Romania, you might hear 'așa și-așa' with a softer 'ș' sound, often followed by a long 'păi...' (well...).
The Hand Tilt
To look like a native, tilt your hand side-to-side while saying it. It adds 50% more meaning!
Don't be too 'Așa și așa'
If you use this for every answer, you might come across as bored or uninterested. Mix in some 'Îmi place' or 'E super'!
Significado
Used to describe something mediocre or average.
The Hand Tilt
To look like a native, tilt your hand side-to-side while saying it. It adds 50% more meaning!
Don't be too 'Așa și așa'
If you use this for every answer, you might come across as bored or uninterested. Mix in some 'Îmi place' or 'E super'!
The 'Cam' trick
Add 'cam' before it ('E cam așa și așa') to sound more hesitant and native-like.
Teste-se
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
— Cum a fost la școală astăzi? — ________, am luat o notă mică la mate.
The context of getting a bad grade suggests a mediocre or bad day, making 'așa și așa' the only logical choice.
Which of these is a natural response to 'Ce mai faci?' if you are feeling slightly tired?
Ce mai faci?
'Așa și așa' is a standard response to greetings. A and C are nonsensical in this context.
Match the situation to the most likely use of 'așa și așa'.
Situations: 1. Winning the lottery, 2. Eating a slightly burnt toast, 3. Your wedding day.
You wouldn't use 'so-so' for winning the lottery or your wedding; those are extreme positives. Burnt toast is a classic 'so-so' experience.
Finish the sentence to make it sound natural.
Mâncarea de la cantină este ________, dar este ieftină.
The word 'dar' (but) suggests a contrast between the mediocre quality and the low price.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
When to use Așa și așa
Mood
- • Tired
- • Bored
- • Okay
Quality
- • Average food
- • Okay movie
- • Normal day
Banco de exercicios
4 exercicios— Cum a fost la școală astăzi? — ________, am luat o notă mică la mate.
The context of getting a bad grade suggests a mediocre or bad day, making 'așa și așa' the only logical choice.
Ce mai faci?
'Așa și așa' is a standard response to greetings. A and C are nonsensical in this context.
Situations: 1. Winning the lottery, 2. Eating a slightly burnt toast, 3. Your wedding day.
You wouldn't use 'so-so' for winning the lottery or your wedding; those are extreme positives. Burnt toast is a classic 'so-so' experience.
Mâncarea de la cantină este ________, dar este ieftină.
The word 'dar' (but) suggests a contrast between the mediocre quality and the low price.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it's generally not rude. It's an honest, neutral response. However, if used for a very personal question, it might seem evasive.
It's better to avoid it in formal emails. Use 'satisfăcător' or 'în parametri normali' instead.
'Așa și așa' is for quality/mood. 'Mai mult sau mai puțin' is for quantity/accuracy (More or less).
No, it is invariant. It stays the same for singular, plural, masculine, and feminine.
Yes, young people might say 'E meh' or 'E ok-ish'.
Yes, but it's a bit mean. It implies they are mediocre or uninteresting.
It's exactly like the 'sh' in 'sheep'.
Yes, it is a universal Romanian expression.
No, that sounds like you're stuttering. Just say it once.
Answering the question 'Ce mai faci?' (How are you?).
Frases relacionadas
Merge
synonymIt goes / It's okay
Nici așa, nici altminteri
similarNeither this way, nor that way
Destul de bine
builds onQuite well
Rău
contrastBad
Mediocru
specialized formMediocre
Așa-și-așa
variationSo-so
