Ни рыба ни мясо
Ni ryba ni myaso
Word-for-word
"Neither fish nor meat"
English equivalent
"Neither fish nor fowl / Wishy-washy"
What does it mean?
A person who lacks a strong character, individuality, or clear opinions.
Example in use
Russian
Он какой-то ни рыба ни мясо — никогда не знает, чего хочет.
Translation
He is a bit wishy-washy—he never knows what he wants.
When to use
Use this to describe someone who is indecisive, unassertive, or bland in personality. It can also describe a situation that doesn't fit neatly into any category, being mediocre or lackluster.
Origin & cultural note
This is quite a harsh critique of someone’s character. In a culture that often values strong opinions and conviction, being called "neither fish nor meat" suggests that the person is forgettable or lacks a firm moral or intellectual backbone.
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