April is traditionally known as April Fools’ month in Estonia. Now is the perfect time to explore some of the quirky expressions in the Estonian language, which may seem rather odd at first glance. Did you know that in Estonian, not all phrases necessarily mean exactly what you read in the dictionary?
Loviisa Mänd, junior researcher at Tallinn University, is studying Estonian idioms and metaphors. These are phrases whose meaning cannot be deduced directly from the individual words. If you try to translate such phrases word for word, the result can be quite confusing.
For example, if someone tries to ‘talk a hole in your head’ (auku pähe rääkida), your health is not at any risk. What it actually means is that someone very persuasive is trying to get you to agree to something.
Some expressions also change their meaning over time. Let’s take the phrase ‘elbow feeling’ (küünarnukitunne) as an example. Originally, this meant close cooperation and a sense of unity – the knowledge that you are not alone. However, these days, people are increasingly using it also when they are physically in a cramped space, such as on a crowded bus or in the back seat of a car, where someone’s elbow is literally right up against yours.
Put yourself to the test! Can you guess what these idioms actually mean? Choose the correct answer.
1. vanast rasvast (‘from old fat’)
a. from existing resources
b. without hindrances, with ease
c. from poor-quality raw materials
2. kätt valgeks tegema/saama (‘getting/making your hand white’)
a. becoming honest
b. taking part in a brawl
c. doing something for the first time
3. pika hambaga (‘with long teeth’)
a. reluctantly
b. bit by bit
c. cautiously
4. seanahka vedama (‘dragging pigskin’)
a. lazing about
b. doing unnecessary work
c. behaving lousily
5. hambasse puhuma (‘blowing in the teeth’)
a. going hungry
b. lying
c. asking insistently
6. mütsiga lööma (‘hitting with a hat’)
a. acting without preparation
b. saying something bluntly and directly
c. giving in, admitting defeat
7. lahtise käega (‘with an open hand’)
a. violent
b. skilled
c. generous
8. läbi lillede ütlema (‘saying it through the flowers’)
a. misleading
b. apologising
c. hinting at
9. peenike pihus (‘something thin in the palm’)
a. in a difficult situation
b. payment in cash (coins)
c. new parents
10. nagu munas kana (‘like a hen trying to lay an egg’)
a. powerless
b. overly protective
c. restless
The correct answers: 1. a; 2. c; 3. a; 4. a; 5. b; 6. a; 7. c; 8. c; 9. a; 10. c
You can find more idioms here: https://novaator.err.ee/1609963469/keeleviktoriin-kui-hasti-tunned-eesti-keele-kujundlikke-valjendeid