Bedeutung
Obstructing someone's movement or progress.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Estonians value 'töökultuur' (work culture). Being 'jalgu jäämas' is seen as a sign of being 'mõtetu' (useless) in a high-pressure work situation. Similar to Finns, Estonians have a large personal space. Physically 'jalgu jääma' is a significant breach of social etiquette. In the startup scene, 'jalgu jääma' is used for legacy systems that prevent 'tiigrihüpe' (the tiger leap/digitalization). In the countryside, this phrase is still used literally for livestock like chickens or sheep that obstruct the farmer.
Polite Request
If you need someone to move, say 'Vabandust, sa jääd veidi jalgu' rather than just 'Mine ära'.
Case Sensitivity
Always use the allative case (-le) for the person you are blocking. 'Minu jalgu' sounds like you are literally standing on their feet.
Bedeutung
Obstructing someone's movement or progress.
Polite Request
If you need someone to move, say 'Vabandust, sa jääd veidi jalgu' rather than just 'Mine ära'.
Case Sensitivity
Always use the allative case (-le) for the person you are blocking. 'Minu jalgu' sounds like you are literally standing on their feet.
Metaphorical Use
Use this in job interviews to describe how you overcome obstacles: 'Ma eemaldan takistused, mis jäävad projektile jalgu'.
Teste dich selbst
Täida lünk õige vormiga (mulle, sulle, talle).
Palun mine eest ära, sa jääd ___ jalgu.
We use the allative case 'mulle' to show who is being blocked.
Vali õige lause.
Which sentence means 'The cat got in my way'?
'Jalgu jääma' is the correct idiom for getting in the way.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Situation: You are working on a project and the old computer is too slow.
The computer is the obstacle hindering your progress.
Lõpeta dialoog.
A: Kas ma saan aidata? B: Ei, aitäh, sa lihtsalt ___ siin kitsas köögis.
In a narrow kitchen, an extra person is usually an obstacle.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenPalun mine eest ära, sa jääd ___ jalgu.
We use the allative case 'mulle' to show who is being blocked.
Which sentence means 'The cat got in my way'?
'Jalgu jääma' is the correct idiom for getting in the way.
Situation: You are working on a project and the old computer is too slow.
The computer is the obstacle hindering your progress.
A: Kas ma saan aidata? B: Ei, aitäh, sa lihtsalt ___ siin kitsas köögis.
In a narrow kitchen, an extra person is usually an obstacle.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenIt depends on the tone. It can be a neutral observation or a sharp command.
Yes, if a chair is in the middle of the room, it 'jääb jalgu'.
The opposite is 'jalust ära minema' (to get out of the way).
No, in this idiom, it is always the plural 'jalgu'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
jalust ära
contrastout of the way
ette jääma
synonymto be in front/in the way
jalgu puhkama
contrastto rest one's legs
jalgu järel vedama
similarto drag one's feet
