Slang

1. tsau

   Hi / Bye

   Usage

   From the Italian ciao, for both hello and goodbye. Friends, peers and young staff — with an elder, a stranger or an official, use Tere

2. kuule

   Hey, listen

   Usage

   The imperative of kuulma, to hear, used to open a remark. In chat it gets clipped to kle. For friends and peers — with an elder, open with Vabandage instead

3. äge

   Awesome

   Usage

   Literally fierce or sharp, but colloquially a compliment. It cannot offend anyone, so it works for praising a shopkeeper's wares or a guide's tour

4. vinge

   Wicked / great

   Usage

   As strong a compliment as äge and favoured by younger speakers. Aimed at peers, but harmless as a reaction to a shop or an event

5. kihvt

   Cool

   Usage

   An older slang word from the German Gift, poison, still in circulation. Even older speakers understand it, but keep using it among friends

6. mõnus

   Cosy / nice

   Usage

   One of the most-used approving words in Estonian — for the sauna, the food, the atmosphere of a place, the weather. Safe with anyone

7. jube hea

   Awfully good

   Usage

   jube means dreadful, but colloquially it just intensifies — the same trick as the English awfully good, and just as harmless. Fine as praise for a meal you have been invited to

8. täitsa

   Totally / quite

   Usage

   A casual reduction of täiesti, completely, placed before an adjective: täitsa hea, quite good. Spoken register — write täiesti instead

9. semu

   Mate / buddy

   Usage

   The casual word for a friend. Only for peers or younger people you already get on with — never as an address to a stranger

10. kutt

    Guy

    Usage

    A casual word for a young man, with no sneer in it. Normally used about a third person rather than as a form of address; the polite word is mees

11. tšillima

    To chill

    Usage

    The English chill with an Estonian verb ending. For making plans with friends; at work say puhkama, to rest

12. rula

    Skateboard

    Usage

    A casual word built on rull, roller, like rulluisud, roller skates. Understood by younger speakers — useful at the Tallinn and Tartu skate parks

13. trenn

    Workout / practice

    Usage

    A clipped form of treening, covering both the gym and team practice. Everyday, and safe with anyone

14. musi

    Kiss (sign-off)

    Usage

    A peck, and also a way to sign off a message. Family and close friends only — never a colleague or someone you have just met

15. ei jaksa

    I can't be bothered

    Usage

    The negative of jaksama, to have the strength — about energy or willingness alike. Among friends; not the excuse to give a work contact

16. pole hullu

    No big deal

    Usage

    Literally it is not dire. Also the reply to an apology, meaning never mind. Safe with anyone — staff or friends

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