المعنى
Interfering in others' business.
خلفية ثقافية
Estonians are known for their 'poker face' and valuing personal space. Meddling is one of the quickest ways to lose an Estonian's trust. Similar to Estonia, Finns value 'oma rauha' (own peace). The equivalent 'työntää nokkansa' is used similarly. In Russia, the idiom 'совать нос' (sovat' nos) is identical. Due to historical proximity, the usage patterns in Estonia and Russia are very similar. While Americans use 'sticking your nose in,' the culture is generally more open to personal questions than Estonian culture.
Be careful with the tone
This phrase can be very offensive if said with a sharp tone. Only use it when you are genuinely annoyed.
Use 'oma'
Adding 'oma' (one's own) before 'nina' makes the phrase sound much more natural to native speakers.
المعنى
Interfering in others' business.
Be careful with the tone
This phrase can be very offensive if said with a sharp tone. Only use it when you are genuinely annoyed.
Use 'oma'
Adding 'oma' (one's own) before 'nina' makes the phrase sound much more natural to native speakers.
The 'Estonian Silence'
If an Estonian stops talking when you ask a question, they might think you are 'nina toppimas'. It's a signal to change the subject.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Ära ____ oma nina minu asjadesse!
The imperative (command) form for 'sina' is 'topi'.
Which sentence is a natural Estonian idiom?
How do you say 'He meddles in everything'?
'Toppima' is the standard verb for this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kas sa lugesid mu kirja? B: Ei, ma ei ____ oma nina sinu kirjavahetusse.
The present tense 'ma ei topi' (I don't meddle) fits the context of a general rule or current action.
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you say 'Ära topi oma nina teiste asjadesse'?
This is an intrusive personal question where the idiom is appropriate.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينÄra ____ oma nina minu asjadesse!
The imperative (command) form for 'sina' is 'topi'.
How do you say 'He meddles in everything'?
'Toppima' is the standard verb for this idiom.
A: Kas sa lugesid mu kirja? B: Ei, ma ei ____ oma nina sinu kirjavahetusse.
The present tense 'ma ei topi' (I don't meddle) fits the context of a general rule or current action.
When would you say 'Ära topi oma nina teiste asjadesse'?
This is an intrusive personal question where the idiom is appropriate.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, it is not a swear word, but it is informal and can be rude.
Only with close colleagues you trust. Never use it with your boss.
The formal version is 'sekkuma' (to interfere).
In this specific idiom, yes. You can't say 'toppima oma kõrva' (stuffing one's ear).
Yes, it's very common in Estonian literature to describe busybody characters.
Present: ma topin, sa topid, ta topib. Past: ma toppisin.
Yes, e.g., 'Ma ei taha oma nina sinna toppida' (I don't want to meddle there).
Only in opinion pieces or informal interviews. Hard news uses 'sekkuma'.
'Nina pistma' is also understood and means roughly the same thing, but is less common.
No, 'nina toppimine' is almost always negative.
عبارات ذات صلة
nina vahele torkama
similarTo poke one's nose in
ninatark
builds onA know-it-all
sekkuma
synonymTo interfere/intervene
nina püsti ajama
contrastTo be arrogant
omadega puntras
contrastTo be in a mess with one's own things
