ne pas casser des briques
To be busy
حرفيًا: Not to break bricks
Use this phrase to describe something that failed to impress you or was just average.
في 15 ثانية
- Used to describe something mediocre or unimpressive.
- Think of it as saying 'nothing special' or 'meh'.
- Commonly used for movies, food, or general experiences.
المعنى
Contrary to some misconceptions, this phrase actually means something is unimpressive, mediocre, or 'nothing to write home about.' It is used to describe something that fails to wow you or lacks quality.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Reviewing a movie with a friend
Le film était sympa, mais ça ne cassait pas des briques.
The movie was nice, but it wasn't anything special.
Discussing a new restaurant
Leur pizza ne casse pas des briques, franchement.
Their pizza isn't all that, honestly.
A professional but relaxed meeting
Le nouveau design est correct, mais ça ne casse pas des briques.
The new design is okay, but it doesn't wow me.
خلفية ثقافية
The expression draws from the spectacle of karate demonstrations where breaking bricks is the highlight. It reflects a certain French skepticism and high standards for entertainment and quality. It gained massive popularity in the 1970s and remains a staple of everyday conversational French.
Drop the 'Ne'
In spoken French, people almost always drop the `ne`. Just say `Ça casse pas des briques` to sound like a local.
Don't use for 'Busy'
Be careful! Some old textbooks mistakenly list this as 'to be busy'. It strictly means 'unimpressive'.
في 15 ثانية
- Used to describe something mediocre or unimpressive.
- Think of it as saying 'nothing special' or 'meh'.
- Commonly used for movies, food, or general experiences.
What It Means
Imagine you are watching a martial arts master. You expect them to smash through a stack of bricks with one hand. If they fail, or if the show is boring, it doesn't 'break any bricks.' In French, ne pas casser des briques means something is totally average. It is not necessarily bad, but it is definitely not impressive. You use it when your expectations were higher than the reality.
How To Use It
You will almost always use this in the negative form. It follows the standard ne... pas structure around the verb casser. For example, Ça ne casse pas des briques. You can use it to describe a movie, a meal, or even a person's performance. It is a great way to be critical without being overly mean. It sounds more like a shrug of the shoulders than a slap in the face.
When To Use It
Use this when you want to give an honest, slightly disappointed opinion. If you go to a hyped-up restaurant and the food is just 'okay,' this is your phrase. It’s perfect for casual chats with friends about your weekend. You can use it at work when discussing a project that lacks 'wow' factor. It’s the ultimate expression for the 'meh' feeling.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this if something is truly terrible. If a meal makes you sick, ne pas casser des briques is too mild. Also, do not use it in very formal academic writing. It is a bit too colorful for a legal document or a PhD thesis. Be careful using it about a person's gift or effort to their face. It might hurt their feelings more than you intend!
Cultural Background
This phrase likely comes from the world of martial arts or circus performances. Breaking bricks is a classic feat of strength and skill. If an act didn't involve breaking bricks, it wasn't considered spectacular. It became popular in the mid-20th century. It captures the French spirit of being a 'fine gourmet' or a tough critic. The French value quality, so they have many ways to say something is mediocre.
Common Variations
You might hear people say ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard. That literally means 'it doesn't break three legs off a duck.' Both phrases mean the exact same thing: it's nothing special. Another variation is simply saying C'est pas terrible, which confusingly means 'it's not great' in French. Stick to the bricks for a more visual and fun way to express your boredom.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is an informal expression. In speech, the 'ne' is usually dropped, resulting in 'Ça casse pas des briques'. It is perfect for casual settings but should be avoided in formal writing.
Drop the 'Ne'
In spoken French, people almost always drop the `ne`. Just say `Ça casse pas des briques` to sound like a local.
Don't use for 'Busy'
Be careful! Some old textbooks mistakenly list this as 'to be busy'. It strictly means 'unimpressive'.
The Duck Alternative
If you want to sound even more French, try `Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard`. It's the quirky cousin of the brick phrase!
أمثلة
6Le film était sympa, mais ça ne cassait pas des briques.
The movie was nice, but it wasn't anything special.
A classic way to say a movie was just okay.
Leur pizza ne casse pas des briques, franchement.
Their pizza isn't all that, honestly.
Expressing disappointment in food quality.
Le nouveau design est correct, mais ça ne casse pas des briques.
The new design is okay, but it doesn't wow me.
Giving critical feedback on a project.
La soirée ne casse pas des briques, je vais bientôt rentrer.
The party is pretty mid, I'm going home soon.
Using the phrase to justify leaving early.
Mes talents de cuisinier ne cassent pas des briques !
My cooking skills aren't exactly legendary!
Being funny about one's own lack of skill.
J'attendais ce rendez-vous avec impatience, mais ça n'a pas cassé des briques.
I was looking forward to this date, but it was underwhelming.
Sharing a let-down with a close friend.
اختبر نفسك
Complete the sentence to say the exhibition was mediocre.
L'exposition était jolie, mais ça ne ___ pas des briques.
The verb 'casser' (to break) is the only one used in this specific idiom.
Which word is missing from this common idiom?
Ce nouveau jeu vidéo ne casse pas des ___.
The idiom specifically refers to 'briques' (bricks).
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Scale of 'Ne pas casser des briques'
Too structured for pure street slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends and family.
Ça casse pas des briques.
Acceptable in relaxed workplaces.
Ce rapport ne casse pas des briques.
Too idiomatic for official speeches.
N/A
When to use 'Ne pas casser des briques'
At the Cinema
The plot was predictable.
At a Restaurant
The pasta was bland.
Shopping
The new collection is boring.
At Work
The presentation lacked energy.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNot necessarily. It means it's average or 'meh'. It's about a lack of 'wow' factor rather than being truly terrible.
Yes, but be careful. Saying Il ne casse pas des briques about a person means they aren't very talented or impressive.
It's informal and critical, but not vulgar. It's safe to use with friends, though maybe not to your boss's face about their own work.
It comes from martial arts demonstrations where breaking bricks is the ultimate impressive feat. If you don't break bricks, you aren't a master.
Almost never. You wouldn't say Ça casse des briques to mean something is great. It's almost exclusively used in the negative.
Yes, it's very common in everyday French conversation across all age groups.
Absolutely. If a party or an event was boring, you can say La soirée n'a pas cassé des briques.
It uses the verb casser. In the present tense, it's usually ça ne casse pas. In the past, ça n'a pas cassé.
A more modern, slangy way to say this is C'est bof, but the brick expression is more descriptive.
Pas terrible actually means 'not great' in French, making it a close synonym to ne pas casser des briques.
عبارات ذات صلة
Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard
It's nothing special (literally: it doesn't break three legs off a duck).
C'est bof
It's mediocre / meh.
Pas de quoi fouetter un chat
It's no big deal / nothing to get excited about.
C'est pas terrible
It's not that great.
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