Signification
Something that is too hard for someone to do.
Contexte culturel
There is a strong cultural value in 'bearing one's cross' (нести свой крест). Admitting something is 'не по силам' is a significant admission that the 'cross' has become literally unliftable. During the Soviet era, the slogan 'Нет ничего невозможного' (Nothing is impossible) made the use of 'не по силам' sound almost anti-revolutionary. Today, its use marks a return to human-scale reality. In modern Russian offices, 'не по силам' is a professional way to signal burnout without using the English loanword 'бернаут'. It sounds more objective. In Russian families, elders often use this phrase to decline help or activities, signaling a graceful acceptance of aging.
The Dative Rule
Always pair this phrase with Dative pronouns (мне, тебе, ему, ей, нам, вам, им). It's the most common mistake for learners.
Don't be too dramatic
Using this for very small things (like opening a bottle) can sound like you are complaining too much or being sarcastic.
Signification
Something that is too hard for someone to do.
The Dative Rule
Always pair this phrase with Dative pronouns (мне, тебе, ему, ей, нам, вам, им). It's the most common mistake for learners.
Don't be too dramatic
Using this for very small things (like opening a bottle) can sound like you are complaining too much or being sarcastic.
Past Tense Neuter
Remember that in the past tense, it's always 'было', even if the task (работа - fem) is feminine. 'Работа мне было не по силам' is incorrect; it should be 'Работа мне БЫЛА не по силам' ONLY if the task is the subject. If it's impersonal, use 'было'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the pronoun in the Dative case.
Эта сложная задача (я) ___ не по силам.
The phrase 'не по силам' requires the Dative case.
Choose the correct past tense form.
Вчера мы поняли, что это восхождение нам ___ не по силам.
In impersonal constructions with 'не по силам', the past tense verb is always neuter singular 'было'.
Match the idiom with its literal meaning.
Match the following:
These are all variations of 'too much' using different metaphors.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
- Ты сможешь пробежать марафон? - Нет, после травмы это ___.
The standard phrase with the Dative pronoun 'мне'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesЭта сложная задача (я) ___ не по силам.
The phrase 'не по силам' requires the Dative case.
Вчера мы поняли, что это восхождение нам ___ не по силам.
In impersonal constructions with 'не по силам', the past tense verb is always neuter singular 'было'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are all variations of 'too much' using different metaphors.
- Ты сможешь пробежать марафон? - Нет, после травмы это ___.
The standard phrase with the Dative pronoun 'мне'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral and can be used in both business meetings and casual chats with friends.
Yes, but it refers to the effort of paying. 'Не по карману' is more common for just saying something is expensive.
They are 99% interchangeable. 'Не под силу' is slightly more formal and literary.
Just remove the 'не': 'Это мне по силам.'
Yes, e.g., 'Мне не по силам это сделать.' (It's beyond my strength to do this.)
No, it most often refers to mental, emotional, or financial capacity in modern Russian.
No, it's actually a professional way to set boundaries if you explain why.
In this specific idiom, 'силам' is in the Dative plural.
No! You must say 'Мне не по силам'.
Yes, 'я не тяну' (I'm not pulling/handling it) is a common informal alternative.
Expressions liées
не под силу
synonymbeyond one's power
выше моих сил
similarbeyond my strength
не по карману
specialized formcannot afford
не по плечу
similarnot up to the task
по силам
contrastwithin one's strength
