Bedeutung
Quality results show the skill of the worker.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Estonians are known for 'talupojatarkus' (peasant wisdom), which values practical skills and results over theoretical knowledge. This proverb is the ultimate expression of that value. A very similar proverb exists in Finnish ('Työ kiittää tekijäänsä'), reflecting the shared Baltic-Finnic cultural heritage and similar work ethics. Latvians have 'Darbs dara darītāju' (Work makes the doer), which is slightly different—it suggests that by working, you become a better person, but it shares the same focus on 'darbs' (work). In the tech sector, this proverb is used to justify 'silent' launches where the product's quality is expected to drive adoption without heavy advertising.
The Perfect Compliment
Use this when you want to praise someone's work without sounding like you are sucking up. It's objective and respectful.
Watch Your Tone
If you say this while looking at something broken, it's a very strong insult. Only use it for good work unless you want to be mean.
Bedeutung
Quality results show the skill of the worker.
The Perfect Compliment
Use this when you want to praise someone's work without sounding like you are sucking up. It's objective and respectful.
Watch Your Tone
If you say this while looking at something broken, it's a very strong insult. Only use it for good work unless you want to be mean.
The 'Tegija' Slang
In modern slang, 'Sa oled tegija!' means 'You're a legend!' or 'You're the man!'. This proverb is the origin of that cool status.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct form of the word 'tegija'.
Töö kiidab _______.
The verb 'kiitma' requires the object to be in the partitive case, which is 'tegijat'.
In which situation is it MOST appropriate to use 'Töö kiidab tegijat'?
Select the best scenario:
The proverb is used when a tangible result of labor is visible and well-done.
Match the Estonian words to their English meanings in the proverb.
Match them up:
These are the literal components of the phrase.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: 'See aed on nüüd nii ilus ja korras!' B: 'Aitäh! _________________.'
This is a natural response to a compliment about a finished task.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenTöö kiidab _______.
The verb 'kiitma' requires the object to be in the partitive case, which is 'tegijat'.
Select the best scenario:
The proverb is used when a tangible result of labor is visible and well-done.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the literal components of the phrase.
A: 'See aed on nüüd nii ilus ja korras!' B: 'Aitäh! _________________.'
This is a natural response to a compliment about a finished task.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenNot at all! While it's an old proverb, it's still used daily in offices, schools, and on social media. It's a classic that never goes out of style.
Yes, but it's usually better to let others say it about you. If you say it about yourself, it can sound a bit boastful, though in a confident way.
It comes from 'tegija', which means 'doer' or 'maker'. The '-t' at the end is the partitive case marker.
Sometimes people just say 'Töö kiidab!' if the context is very clear, but the full version is much more common.
Absolutely. It is very common in the Estonian IT sector to describe high-quality software.
It's neutral to formal. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
It's a poetic way of saying that the quality of the object is so high it acts as a recommendation for the person who made it.
Round your lips as if to say 'O', but try to say 'E'. Hold it long.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Meistrit tuntakse tööst
synonymThe master is known by the work.
Ise tehtud, hästi tehtud
similarSelf-made, well-made.
Tühi jutt ei täida kõhtu
contrastEmpty talk doesn't fill the stomach.
Kuidas töö, nõnda palk
builds onAs the work is, so is the pay.
