Funny Estonian Phrases & Their Meanings: A Humorous Dive into Quirky Expressions 🇪🇪

Estonia, a small but culturally rich Baltic nation, is known for its stunning landscapes, digital innovation, and unique language. But beyond its tech-savvy reputation, Estonian is packed with hilarious, bizarre, and downright funny phrases that often leave foreigners scratching their heads. 🤔

In this article, we’ll explore the funniest Estonian phrases, their literal translations, and the real meanings behind them. Whether you’re learning the language, planning a trip to Estonia, or just love quirky idioms, this guide will give you a good laugh—and maybe even a new favorite expression! 😆

Why Are Estonian Phrases So Funny?

Estonian is a Finno-Ugric language, closely related to Finnish and distantly to Hungarian. Unlike most European languages, it doesn’t share roots with Latin or Germanic tongues, making its idioms especially unique. Many Estonian phrases rely on:

• Nature-inspired metaphors (lots of animals, forests, and weather) 🌲🐺
• Exaggerated imagery (because why say something simply?) 😅
• Dark humor & sarcasm (Estonians have a dry, witty sense of humor)

Now, let’s dive into the most amusing Estonian phrases and what they actually mean!

1. “Püha lehm” (Holy cow) 🐄

Literal Translation: “Holy cow”

Actual Meaning: Expressing shock or disbelief

While English speakers say “Holy cow!” when surprised, Estonians use the exact same phrase—“Püha lehm!”—which is funny because it’s a direct borrowing. It’s unclear whether this came from English or if cows are just universally sacred in exclamations. Either way, if an Estonian drops this phrase, something wild just happened. 😲

2. “Kui part perse” (Like a duck in the ass) 🦆🍑

Literal Translation: “Like a duck in the ass”

Actual Meaning: Something fits perfectly

This is one of the weirdest yet most endearing Estonian phrases. If something fits snugly (like a glove, a puzzle piece, or a USB stick finally plugged in right), an Estonian might say, “See sobib nagu part perse!” (“It fits like a duck in the ass!”).

Why a duck? Why its backside? Nobody knows. But it’s a staple of Estonian humor. 😂

3. “Tuleb kui kuradile saun” (Coming like a sauna to the devil) 😈🔥

Literal Translation: “Coming like a sauna to the devil”

Actual Meaning: Something is completely unnecessary

Estonians love saunas (they’re a national treasure), so why would the devil need one? This phrase is used when someone offers something utterly pointless—like giving a fish a bicycle. 🚴‍♂️🐟

Example:

• “Do you need another instruction manual for your toaster?”
• “Nah, that’s like a sauna to the devil.”

4. “Kassid kõrva taga” (Cats behind the ear) 🐱👂

Literal Translation: “Cats behind the ear”

Actual Meaning: Being slightly drunk

If someone says they have “kassid kõrva taga”, they’re not hiding kittens—they’re tipsy! 🍻 This phrase likely comes from the warm, fuzzy feeling of alcohol, as if tiny cats are snuggling behind your ears. Adorable and hilarious.

5. “Nälg närib kägaras” (Hunger gnaws in a ball) 🍽️🌀

Literal Translation: “Hunger gnaws in a ball”

Actual Meaning: Extremely hungry

When you’re so hungry you could eat a horse, Estonians say hunger is gnawing at them in a curled-up ball. It paints a vivid (and slightly dramatic) picture of starvation. Maybe it’s from the fetal position we all take when waiting for food. 😫

6. “Hakkama saama nagu hunt talvel” (Managing like a wolf in winter) 🐺❄️

Literal Translation: “Managing like a wolf in winter”

Actual Meaning: Getting by with difficulty

Wolves in winter have it rough—scarcity of food, freezing temps—so if you’re barely scraping by, this phrase fits. Estonians use it when someone is struggling but surviving, like a student during finals week. 📚😩

7. “Kui loll, et isegi lambad naeravad” (So stupid that even sheep laugh) 🐑😂

Literal Translation: “So stupid that even sheep laugh”

Actual Meaning: Unbelievably dumb

Estonians don’t hold back when calling out foolishness. If someone does something exceptionally dumb, they might say even sheep—not known for their intellect—are laughing at them. 🐑🤦‍♂️

8. “Sööb nagu hobune” (Eats like a horse) 🐎🍽️

Literal Translation: “Eats like a horse”

Actual Meaning: Someone with a huge appetite

Just like in English, Estonians compare big eaters to horses. But given how much Estonians love potatoes, maybe “eats like a potato farmer” would also work. 🥔

9. “Tühi nagu pasun” (Empty like a trumpet) 🎺🕳️

Literal Translation: “Empty like a trumpet”

Actual Meaning: Completely empty

Ever looked inside a trumpet? It’s hollow. So if a fridge, wallet, or someone’s brain is totally empty, this phrase nails it. Bonus: It’s fun to say! “Mu rahakott on tühi nagu pasun!” (“My wallet is empty like a trumpet!”) 💸😭

10. “Läheb nagu soolaleib” (Goes like salt bread) 🍞🧂

Literal Translation: “Goes like salt bread”

Actual Meaning: Something sells quickly

Traditional Estonian black bread (leib) is beloved, but salt bread (soolaleib) is even more irresistible. If something “goes like salt bread,” it’s selling fast—like hotcakes, but saltier. 🛒🔥

11. “Kui kass ja koer” (Like cat and dog) 🐱🐶

Literal Translation: “Like cat and dog”

Actual Meaning: Constantly arguing

Just like in English, Estonians use this phrase for people who fight all the time—usually siblings or old married couples. Some things are universal! 😾🐕

12. “Vett vurri” (Water in the snout) 💦🐽

Literal Translation: “Water in the snout”

Actual Meaning: Getting tricked or scammed

If someone fools you, you’ve got “water in the snout”—like a confused animal drinking dirty water. It’s a playful way to say, “You got me!”

13. “Nagu elevant poest” (Like an elephant from a store) 🐘🛒

Literal Translation: “Like an elephant from a store”

Actual Meaning: Something impossible

You’ll never buy an elephant at a store (unless it’s IKEA?), so this phrase means “not gonna happen.” Example:

• “Will you lend me €1000?”
• “Yeah, sure—like an elephant from a store.”

14. “Kui kikas kerekeses” (Like a rooster in a little cart) 🐓🛷

Literal Translation: “Like a rooster in a little cart”

Actual Meaning: Very proud or boastful

A rooster strutting in a cart? That’s someone full of themselves. Use this for people who won’t stop bragging.

15. “Nagu talle talvel” (Like a lamb in winter) 🐑❄️

Literal Translation: “Like a lamb in winter”

Actual Meaning: Helpless or vulnerable

Lambs aren’t built for Estonian winters—so if someone’s completely out of their depth, this phrase sums it up.

Why Learn These Funny Estonian Phrases?

Besides being great icebreakers, these phrases:

✅ Help you understand Estonian humor (dark, dry, nature-themed)
✅ Make locals laugh (showing you’ve made an effort)
✅ Make language learning fun (who wouldn’t want to say “like a duck in the ass”?)

Final Thoughts: Estonian Humor in a Nutshell

Estonian phrases are weird, wonderful, and full of personality—just like Estonia itself! 🇪🇪 Whether you’re baffled by “holy cows” or laughing at “sheep mocking stupidity,” these idioms prove that language is as much about culture as vocabulary.

So next time you’re in Estonia, drop a “nagu part perse” and watch the smiles unfold. 😆

Want More?

• Best Estonian Slang Words
• Untranslatable Estonian Words
• How to Speak Estonian Like a Local

Which phrase was your favorite? Let us know in the comments! 👇😊