Bedeutung
Being noticeable or prominent.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Estonians value 'tagasihoidlikkus' (modesty). Standing out is good if it's based on results, but bad if it's based on bragging. Similar to the Law of Jante, there is a cultural pressure not to think you are better than others, which affects how 'silma paistma' is perceived. In the Estonian startup scene (Skype, Wise), 'silma paistma' is the ultimate goal for a new product. Estonian schools emphasize individual achievement in Olympiads, where students are encouraged to 'silma paista'.
Use with 'poolest'
If you want to sound more natural, use the structure '[Noun] + poolest'. E.g., 'Ta paistab silma julguse poolest'.
Don't say 'silmas'
Remember, it's 'silma' (into the eye). 'Silmas' means 'inside the eye', which sounds like a medical condition!
Bedeutung
Being noticeable or prominent.
Use with 'poolest'
If you want to sound more natural, use the structure '[Noun] + poolest'. E.g., 'Ta paistab silma julguse poolest'.
Don't say 'silmas'
Remember, it's 'silma' (into the eye). 'Silmas' means 'inside the eye', which sounds like a medical condition!
Adjective form
Use 'silmapaistev' as a powerful adjective in your CV to describe your achievements.
Modesty matters
When using this about yourself in Estonia, always follow it with a concrete example of your work to avoid sounding arrogant.
Teste dich selbst
Täida lünk õige vormiga (silma paistma).
Ta ______ ______ oma ilusa häälega.
The standard word order is verb + 'silma', and the case must be illative (-a).
Vali lause, mis on grammatiliselt õige.
Kuidas sa tahad teiste hulgast...?
After 'tahad' (want), we use the da-infinitive 'paista'.
Ühenda omadussõna ja põhjus, miks keegi silma paistab.
Match the trait with the context.
These are common contexts for using the phrase.
Lõpeta dialoog.
A: Kas mu uus logo on hea? B: Jah, see ______ ______.
'Hästi' (well) is the common adverb to use here.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Silma Paistma vs Silma Torkama
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenTa ______ ______ oma ilusa häälega.
The standard word order is verb + 'silma', and the case must be illative (-a).
Kuidas sa tahad teiste hulgast...?
After 'tahad' (want), we use the da-infinitive 'paista'.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are common contexts for using the phrase.
A: Kas mu uus logo on hea? B: Jah, see ______ ______.
'Hästi' (well) is the common adverb to use here.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenUsually, yes. It implies excellence or a striking quality. However, it can be neutral if just describing a visual fact.
You can, but 'silma torkama' is more common for negative things that are 'too much'.
'Silma paistma' is more about perception, while 'esile tõusma' is more about the act of rising above others.
Use 'paistis silma' for he/she/it and 'paistsid silma' for they.
Yes, it is highly recommended to describe your strengths.
Yes, if it has a unique design or color.
Yes, use the adessive (-ga) or 'poolest'.
No, it is a standard idiom used in all levels of speech.
Yes, if your dog is very unusual and makes you noticeable.
There isn't a single idiom, but you could say 'mitte millegagi eristuma' (not differentiating by anything).
Verwandte Redewendungen
silma torkama
similarTo be very obvious/jarring
silma jääma
similarTo be noticed/remembered
esile tõusma
synonymTo rise to the fore
tähelepanu äratama
similarTo wake/arouse attention
hall mass
contrastThe grey mass
