Bedeutung
Stating that one is not sick.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Estonians often use the greeting 'Tervist!' (Health!). It is a partitive form of 'tervis'. It shows that health is the most valued wish you can give someone. The 'terve nagu purikas' (healthy as a burbot) idiom reflects Estonia's coastal and lake-rich geography. Fish are seen as symbols of cold-hardy, slippery health. Sauna culture is deeply linked to being 'terve'. A common saying is 'Saun on vaese mehe arst' (The sauna is the poor man's doctor). Estonians are generally private about illness. Saying 'Ma olen terve' is often a way to end a conversation about health and move on to other topics.
The 'Whole' Rule
If 'terve' is before a noun (terve kook), it means 'whole'. If it's after 'olen' (ma olen terve), it usually means 'healthy'.
Don't say 'Ma olen tervis'
This is like saying 'I am health'. Always use the adjective 'terve'.
Bedeutung
Stating that one is not sick.
The 'Whole' Rule
If 'terve' is before a noun (terve kook), it means 'whole'. If it's after 'olen' (ma olen terve), it usually means 'healthy'.
Don't say 'Ma olen tervis'
This is like saying 'I am health'. Always use the adjective 'terve'.
Use 'Jälle'
Adding 'jälle' (again) makes you sound very native when returning from a sick day: 'Ma olen jälle terve!'
Tervist vs Terve
Remember: 'Tervist' is for saying hello, 'Terve' is for being healthy.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'olema'.
Ma ___ terve.
The first person singular 'Ma' (I) requires the verb form 'olen'.
Which sentence means 'We are healthy'?
Choose the plural form:
Plural 'Me' (we) requires 'oleme' and the plural adjective 'terved'.
Match the Estonian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the opposites:
Understanding the different states and tenses of health.
Complete the dialogue.
Arst: 'Kuidas tervis on?' Sina: 'Aitäh, ___ ___ ___.'
In a positive context, 'ma olen terve' is the most logical answer to a health inquiry.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Terve vs Haige
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMa ___ terve.
The first person singular 'Ma' (I) requires the verb form 'olen'.
Choose the plural form:
Plural 'Me' (we) requires 'oleme' and the plural adjective 'terved'.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Understanding the different states and tenses of health.
Arst: 'Kuidas tervis on?' Sina: 'Aitäh, ___ ___ ___.'
In a positive context, 'ma olen terve' is the most logical answer to a health inquiry.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, that's Finnish. In Estonian, we say 'Tere' or 'Tervist'. 'Terve' only means healthy or whole.
Use 'Ma ei ole terve' or more commonly 'Ma olen haige' (I am sick).
Yes! If the phone is fixed, you can say 'Telefon on nüüd terve' (The phone is now whole/intact).
The plural is 'terved'. Example: 'Lapsed on terved' (The children are healthy).
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your doctor, or your best friend.
It means 'To [your] health!'. It uses the same root as 'terve'.
No, you must say 'Ma tunnen end tervena' (I feel myself as healthy). 'Ma olen terve' is easier and more common.
The opposite is 'haige' (sick) or 'katki' (broken/not whole).
You say 'Ma tahan püsida terve'.
No, but in some Indo-European languages, the word for 'tree' and 'true/healthy' are related. In Estonian, it's strictly about wholeness.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Ma saan terveks
builds onI am getting well / I will recover
Tugev tervis
similarStrong health
Terviseks!
relatedCheers! / To your health!
Haigeks jääma
contrastTo fall ill
Terve elu
specialized formA whole life / An entire life
