Bedeutung
Doing something to make time pass.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Estonians value their time highly, so 'killing time' is often seen as a necessary evil rather than a hobby. However, in the summer 'white nights', the concept of time becomes more fluid. The phrase is a direct calque from German, reflecting the 700 years of Baltic German influence on the Estonian language and social structures. In modern Estonia, 'aega surnuks lööma' is almost synonymous with using e-services or scrolling through news portals like Delfi or ERR. Like Finns, Estonians might 'kill time' in total silence. Two people can 'kill time' together without saying a word, and it's not considered awkward.
The 'Waiting' Rule
Only use this when there is an external reason for the wait (like a bus or a friend).
Don't be too violent
Remember it's an idiom. Don't use it to describe actually hitting anything!
Bedeutung
Doing something to make time pass.
The 'Waiting' Rule
Only use this when there is an external reason for the wait (like a bus or a friend).
Don't be too violent
Remember it's an idiom. Don't use it to describe actually hitting anything!
The Silent Estonian
If an Estonian says they are 'killing time', they might just be staring at a wall. This is normal.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word in the correct case.
Ma pean lennujaamas aega ______ lööma.
You need the translative case (-ks) to show the result of 'hitting' the time.
Which sentence is natural Estonian?
Choose the correct way to say 'I am killing time'.
'Tapma' is a literal translation from English, and 'aeg' must be in the partitive 'aega'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Su rong läheb alles kahe tunni pärast!' B: 'Jah, ma ______.'
Killing time is the most logical response when you have a long wait at a station.
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you say 'Me lõime aega surnuks'?
The idiom is specifically for waiting and boredom.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMa pean lennujaamas aega ______ lööma.
You need the translative case (-ks) to show the result of 'hitting' the time.
Choose the correct way to say 'I am killing time'.
'Tapma' is a literal translation from English, and 'aeg' must be in the partitive 'aega'.
A: 'Su rong läheb alles kahe tunni pärast!' B: 'Jah, ma ______.'
Killing time is the most logical response when you have a long wait at a station.
When would you say 'Me lõime aega surnuks'?
The idiom is specifically for waiting and boredom.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's not rude, but it is informal. Don't use it in a formal speech or to describe time spent with someone you respect.
People will understand you, but it sounds like a 'finglish' (Finnish/English) or 'estonglish' mistake. Stick to 'löön surnuks'.
'Aega viitma' is more neutral and slightly old-fashioned. 'Aega surnuks lööma' is more common in modern speech.
The past tense is 'lõin' (I hit/beat). Example: 'Ma lõin eile aega surnuks.'
Yes, you can use it for any duration, from 5 minutes to a whole day.
Only casually with colleagues. In a meeting with a boss, say 'ootasin' (I waited).
It is the translative case, which indicates a change of state.
Yes, 'tühja panema' is a more slangy way to say you are wasting time.
In texts and emails to friends, yes. In formal essays, no.
Not necessarily, just that you are bored or have nothing better to do.
Verwandte Redewendungen
aega parajaks tegema
synonymTo make time fit (to kill time)
aega viitma
similarTo spend/pass time
aega veetma
contrastTo spend quality time
tühja panema
specialized formTo waste time/talk nonsense
jalgu puhkama
similarTo rest one's feet
