Bedeutung
A plate loaded with food.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Rootsi laud' (Swedish table) is a staple of Estonian social life. Having a 'täis taldrik' is expected, but wasting food is a major social faux pas. There is a shared value of 'not taking more than you need', which contrasts with the visual of a 'täis taldrik'. The phrase is a sign of the 'Start-up Nation' culture where being busy is often equated with being successful. A full plate was historically a luxury. During the Soviet era, food shortages made a 'täis taldrik' a symbol of resourcefulness.
Polite Declining
Use 'Mu taldrik on täis' in emails to sound professional and modern when you can't take on more tasks.
Literal vs Figurative
Be careful in rural areas; older people might take you literally if you say your plate is full without food being present.
Bedeutung
A plate loaded with food.
Polite Declining
Use 'Mu taldrik on täis' in emails to sound professional and modern when you can't take on more tasks.
Literal vs Figurative
Be careful in rural areas; older people might take you literally if you say your plate is full without food being present.
Finish your food
If you have a 'täis taldrik' at an Estonian home, try to finish it to show respect to the cook.
Teste dich selbst
Täida lünk õige sõnaga (täis / täit).
Laual on üks ______ taldrik.
In the nominative case, we use 'täis'.
Vali lause, mis tähendab 'I am busy'.
Kuidas öelda eesti keeles 'I am busy'?
This is the figurative way to say you have a lot to do.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Sinu kolleeg küsib abi, aga sul on palju tööd.
This is a polite way to decline extra work.
Lõpeta dialoog.
Ema: 'Söö oma puder ära!' Laps: 'Ma ei jaksa, mul on juba ______.'
While the plate was full, the reason for stopping is that the stomach ('kõht') is full.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
What can be on the plate?
Physical
- • Kartulid
- • Liha
- • Salat
Metaphorical
- • E-mailid
- • Koosolekud
- • Probleemid
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenLaual on üks ______ taldrik.
In the nominative case, we use 'täis'.
Kuidas öelda eesti keeles 'I am busy'?
This is the figurative way to say you have a lot to do.
Sinu kolleeg küsib abi, aga sul on palju tööd.
This is a polite way to decline extra work.
Ema: 'Söö oma puder ära!' Laps: 'Ma ei jaksa, mul on juba ______.'
While the plate was full, the reason for stopping is that the stomach ('kõht') is full.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is a neutral collocation, though the figurative use is more common in modern office settings.
No, for a glass you would say 'täis klaas'. The 'plate' metaphor is specific to food and tasks.
You can say 'liiga täis taldrik' or 'kuhjaga taldrik'.
No, it's a polite way to set boundaries regarding your time.
Yes, but it specifically implies having many *tasks* or *responsibilities*.
It's better to say 'taldrik on toitu täis' (partitive case).
Yes, Finnish has a similar expression 'lautanen on täynnä', also influenced by English.
An 'empty plate' (tühi taldrik), which can mean having no work or being hungry.
Yes, 'täis graafik' is more direct, but 'taldrik on täis' is more idiomatic.
Usually, yes. But you can say 'taldrik on täis' (The plate is full).
Verwandte Redewendungen
kõht on täis
similarto be full (stomach)
taldrikutäis
builds ona plateful
käed tööd täis
synonymhands full of work
tühi taldrik
contrastempty plate
kuhjaga
specialized formwith a heap
