Significado
When something is of poor quality or not good enough.
Contexto cultural
In Russia, complaining about public services (roads, medicine, post office) is a national pastime. This phrase is the 'official' way to do it in a civilized manner. During the Soviet era, direct criticism of state institutions could be dangerous. Euphemisms like this allowed people to express dissatisfaction more safely. Russian teachers often use this phrase on report cards or during parent-teacher meetings to avoid sounding too discouraging while still being honest about a student's lack of effort. In modern Russian corporate culture, this phrase is used in '360-degree feedback' to provide constructive criticism to peers.
The 'V' Sound
Remember that 'лучшего' is pronounced 'LOOT-she-vah'. If you pronounce the 'G' sound, you will sound like a beginner reading from a book.
Don't be too polite
If something is truly dangerous (like a broken car brake), don't use this phrase. It's too soft for emergencies.
Significado
When something is of poor quality or not good enough.
The 'V' Sound
Remember that 'лучшего' is pronounced 'LOOT-she-vah'. If you pronounce the 'G' sound, you will sound like a beginner reading from a book.
Don't be too polite
If something is truly dangerous (like a broken car brake), don't use this phrase. It's too soft for emergencies.
The Sarcastic Twist
You can use this sarcastically when something is obviously terrible to highlight how much of an understatement it is.
Plural Check
If you are talking about multiple things (e.g., 'условия' - conditions), make sure to change the verb to 'оставляют'.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Качество этого сервиса всё ещё ________ желать лучшего.
The subject 'качество' is singular, so we use 'оставляет'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
The fixed idiom requires 'желать' and the genitive 'лучшего'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.
You are writing a polite but negative review of a hotel room that was dirty.
This is the most standard and polite way to express this in a review.
Complete the dialogue.
— Как тебе новый фильм? — Сюжет интересный, но игра актёров...
The phrase completes the thought that the acting was not good.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Polite vs. Direct Criticism
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosКачество этого сервиса всё ещё ________ желать лучшего.
The subject 'качество' is singular, so we use 'оставляет'.
Choose the correct option:
The fixed idiom requires 'желать' and the genitive 'лучшего'.
You are writing a polite but negative review of a hotel room that was dirty.
This is the most standard and polite way to express this in a review.
— Как тебе новый фильм? — Сюжет интересный, но игра актёров...
The phrase completes the thought that the acting was not good.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasIt is less rude than saying 'your work is bad', but it is still a clear criticism. Use it when you want to be professional but honest.
You can use it for a person's skills, health, or behavior, but rarely for the person themselves (e.g., don't say 'Этот человек оставляет желать лучшего' unless you mean his character/behavior).
Because the verb 'желать' (to wish) requires the genitive case in Russian for abstract objects.
Not really, but you can just say 'Оставляет желать...' and people will understand, though it sounds incomplete.
Yes! 'Его выступление оставляло желать лучшего' (His performance left much to be desired).
Absolutely! It's a perfect 'level-up' phrase that makes you sound more sophisticated.
No, 'so-so' (так себе) is neutral. 'Оставляет желать лучшего' is definitely negative.
Yes, it's very common for describing a disappointing meal.
Roads (дороги), service (сервис), and health (здоровье).
It's neutral-formal. You can use it with your boss or in a newspaper.
No, that would mean 'leaves one to wish for the worse', which makes no sense unless you're being very weirdly ironic.
Pronounce it as a 'v' (vuh).
Frases relacionadas
так себе
similarso-so / not great
не фонтан
similarnot great / nothing special
ниже всякой критики
specialized formbelow any criticism / beneath contempt
в лучшем виде
contrastin the best possible way / perfectly
желать лучшего
builds onto wish for the better
