Signification
Keeping a secret or staying quiet.
Contexte culturel
Estonians value 'vaikus' (silence) and often find excessive talking suspicious or exhausting. Keeping one's tongue behind one's teeth is a sign of a 'tubli' (good/diligent) person. Similar to Estonians, many Nordic cultures value discretion and privacy. The idea of not 'leaking' information is central to social trust. In Estonian business, being 'konkreetne' (concise) is preferred. Using this idiom shows you understand the importance of trade secrets. During times of foreign rule, speaking too much could lead to trouble with authorities. This idiom was a literal survival tip.
Use it to build trust
Saying 'Ma hoian keelt hammaste taga' is a very strong way to show a new friend you are reliable.
Don't over-conjugate
Only change the verb 'hoidma'. The rest of the phrase is a fixed block.
Signification
Keeping a secret or staying quiet.
Use it to build trust
Saying 'Ma hoian keelt hammaste taga' is a very strong way to show a new friend you are reliable.
Don't over-conjugate
Only change the verb 'hoidma'. The rest of the phrase is a fixed block.
The Imperative
Use 'Hoia keel hammaste taga!' sparingly; it can sound like a sharp command if your voice is loud.
Silence is respect
In Estonia, staying quiet is often seen as a sign of respect for the speaker.
Teste-toi
Täida lüngad õigete sõnadega.
Ma lubasin, et ma hoian ______ hammaste ______.
The idiom requires 'keelt' (partitive) and 'taga' (behind).
Vali lause, mis tähendab 'keep the secret'.
Kuidas öelda 'keep the secret' eesti keeles?
'Näita keelt' means stick your tongue out, and 'Söö oma keel ära' is not a standard idiom.
Millises olukorras sa seda väljendit kasutad?
Sinu sõber räägib sulle saladuse.
This is the perfect situation for promising discretion.
Lõpeta dialoog.
A: 'Kas sa rääkisid Jürile üllatusest?' B: 'Ei, ma ______.'
The past tense 'hoidsin' is needed to match the question.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMa lubasin, et ma hoian ______ hammaste ______.
The idiom requires 'keelt' (partitive) and 'taga' (behind).
Kuidas öelda 'keep the secret' eesti keeles?
'Näita keelt' means stick your tongue out, and 'Söö oma keel ära' is not a standard idiom.
Sinu sõber räägib sulle saladuse.
This is the perfect situation for promising discretion.
A: 'Kas sa rääkisid Jürile üllatusest?' B: 'Ei, ma ______.'
The past tense 'hoidsin' is needed to match the question.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsIt depends on the tone. As a promise ('Ma hoian...'), it's very polite. As a command ('Hoia...!'), it can be blunt.
Yes, it's perfectly fine for neutral business or personal emails.
Hoidke keelt hammaste taga.
People sometimes just say 'Suu kinni!', but that is much ruder.
No, it also applies to staying quiet to avoid an argument.
Because the action of holding is continuous and the object is abstract.
Yes, many Estonian pop and folk songs use it to describe loyalty or silence.
Yes, as a short reminder: 'Keel hammaste taga, eks?' (Tongue behind teeth, right?)
Occasionally, when discussing whistleblowers or confidential leaks.
'Vaikima' is just 'to be silent.' This idiom specifically implies the effort of staying silent.
Yes, it's a very common way to teach children about secrets.
Not at all. It is used daily by all age groups.
Ma ei suutnud keelt hammaste taga hoida.
Using 'ees' (in front) instead of 'taga' (behind).
Expressions liées
Suud kinni hoidma
synonymTo keep the mouth shut.
Vaikima nagu sukk
similarTo be silent like a sock.
Keelepeks
contrastGossip (literally: tongue-beating).
Pikk keel
contrastA long tongue (a person who talks too much).
Moka maas hoidma
similarTo keep the lip down.
