When learning a new language, mastering the basics like "yes," "no," and "thank you" is usually the first step. But real fluency—and the ability to sound natural in conversation—comes from mastering the nuanced middle ground. If someone asks *Come va?That said, * (How’s it going? ) or *Com’è il film?But * (How is the movie? On the flip side, ), answering simply bene (good) or male (bad) often feels dishonest or overly dramatic. That's why life usually happens in the middle. Knowing how to say so so in Italian is essential for expressing that perfect shade of mediocrity, indifference, or "it could be better.
The direct translation isn't a single word. Still, instead, Italian offers a rich palette of expressions ranging from standard textbook phrases to colorful idioms and regional slang. Choosing the right one depends entirely on context, who you are talking to, and exactly how "so-so" things really are.
The Standard Go-To: Così così
If you open any beginner Italian textbook, the first phrase you will encounter for "so-so" is così così. Literally translating to "thus thus" or "this way, that way," it is the most universally understood and neutral way to express mediocrity.
It functions perfectly as a standalone answer:
*Come stai?In real terms, ) Così così. * (How are you? (So-so.
It can also be embedded into a sentence:
La pasta era così così, niente di speciale. (The pasta was so-so, nothing special.)
Pronunciation tip: The accent falls on the first syllable of the first word (CÒ-sì) and the first syllable of the second (CÒ-sì). Don't rush it; the rhythm is part of the meaning. Dragging it out slightly—Cosììì cosììì—adds a layer of resignation or boredom Simple, but easy to overlook..
While così così is perfectly correct, overusing it can make you sound a bit robotic or like a tourist reading a phrasebook. Native speakers have a much wider toolkit.
The Honest Assessment: Niente di che and Non c’è male
Moving beyond the textbook, two extremely common phrases capture the "so-so" vibe but with specific emotional undertones.
Niente di che (Nothing special / Nothing to write home about)
This is arguably the most "Italian" way to say something is average. It literally means "nothing of that" (implying: nothing worth mentioning). It conveys a sense of menefreghismo (indifference) without being rude Easy to understand, harder to ignore. Worth knowing..
- Com’era la festa? (How was the party?)
- Niente di che. (It was nothing special / So-so.)
It implies you aren't complaining, but you certainly aren't impressed. It lowers expectations immediately.
Non c’è male (Not bad / Could be worse)
This is the optimistic cousin of così così. While niente di che leans slightly negative (it wasn't good), non c’è male leans slightly positive (it wasn't bad). It is the quintessential Italian "glass half full" response And it works..
- Come va il nuovo lavoro? (How’s the new job?)
- Non c’è male. (Not bad / So-so, but okay.)
It is socially safe, polite, and very common in professional settings or with acquaintances where you don't want to launch into a monologue about your problems.
The "Meh" Factor: Mah and Boh
Sometimes "so-so" isn't a description of quality, but a description of your feeling about something. In these moments, Italians rely on two powerful interjections that barely qualify as words but carry massive communicative weight.
Mah (Mah / Well / I don't know)
Mah expresses doubt, skepticism, or a hesitant "so-so." It is the sound of someone weighing pros and cons and finding them perfectly balanced. It is often accompanied by a specific hand gesture: the "finger purse" (fingertips touching, hand moving up and down) or a palm-down rocking motion.
*Ti piace la mia nuova macchina?Also, * (Do you like my new car? In real terms, ) **Mah... ** (So-so / I'm not convinced / It's okay, I guess.
Boh (I don't know / Who knows)
Boh signals total indifference or a lack of opinion. It means "It is so-so to me because I don't care enough to form an opinion."
Com’era il museo?) Boh, così così. (How was the museum? (Dunno, so-so The details matter here..
Crucial Cultural Note: While mah and boh are standard Italian, they are informal. Avoid using them with police officers, professors, or your boss unless you have a very relaxed relationship. They can sound dismissive.
Describing Quality: Nella media and Normale
When evaluating objects, performances, or meals—rather than feelings—Italians often use comparative phrases that define "so-so" as "average."
Nella media (In the average / Average)
This is objective and analytical. It strips away emotion.
Il ristorante è nella media. (The restaurant is average/so-so.)
Normale / Nella norma (Normal / Standard)
This implies functionality without excellence. The hotel room was normale—clean, bed works, shower hot, but no view, no charm Simple, but easy to overlook. No workaround needed..
L’esame com’è andato? (How did the exam go?) Normale, nella norma. (Standard / So-so.)
The "Could Be Better" Nuance: Potrebbe andare meglio / peggio
If you want to articulate why something is so-so—specifically that it sits on a slope—these phrases are perfect The details matter here..
- Potrebbe andare meglio (It could be better) – The polite complaint.
- Potrebbe andare peggio (It could be worse) – The stoic acceptance.
These are full sentences, making them great for opening a deeper conversation. Worth adding: if you say Potrebbe andare meglio to a friend, you are inviting them to ask, *Perché, che succede? * (Why, what happened?).
Colorful Idioms: Non è né carne né pesce
Italian is a language of food metaphors, and mediocrity is no exception. One of the most vivid idioms for something undefined, wishy-washy, or "so-so" is:
**Non è né carne né pesce.Because of that, ** Literal: It is neither meat nor fish. > Meaning: It’s indeterminate, neither one thing nor the other, wishy-washy, so-so Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
You use this when something fails to commit to a category or a level of quality. A movie that isn't funny enough to be a comedy but isn't serious enough to be a drama? Non è né carne né pesce. A person who is lukewarm? *Non è né carne né pesce.
Another gem is acqua in bocca (water in the mouth), though this usually means "keep it a secret." On the flip side, in some southern contexts, saying something is acqua e sapone (water and soap) implies it’s simple, plain, and unremarkable—so-so in its simplicity.
Grammar Deep Dive: Agreeing with Così così
A common mistake learners make is trying to make così così agree with the noun's gender or number, like an adjective.
- Incorrect: *La pizza era così così-a.On top of that, * / *I film erano così così-i. Day to day, *
- Correct: *La pizza era così così. * / *I film erano così così.
Così così is invariable. It is an adverbial phrase, not an adjective. It never changes form. On the flip side, if you use normale or mediocre, those must agree:
