Signification
Acting as if something is true.
Contexte culturel
Estonians value 'talupojamõistus' (peasant wisdom) which includes being able to see through someone who is 'making a face'. Being too fake is highly looked down upon. In Estonian meetings, 'head nägu tegema' is common when disagreeing with a superior to maintain 'töörahu' (work peace). The term is now used to describe 'Instagram vs Reality'—people 'making a face' of a perfect life.
Use with 'nagu'
To sound like a native, use 'nagu' + conditional (oleks) instead of 'et' when you want to emphasize that the situation is totally fake.
Don't overdo it
Calling someone out with 'Ära tee nägu!' can be quite aggressive. Use it only with friends.
Signification
Acting as if something is true.
Use with 'nagu'
To sound like a native, use 'nagu' + conditional (oleks) instead of 'et' when you want to emphasize that the situation is totally fake.
Don't overdo it
Calling someone out with 'Ära tee nägu!' can be quite aggressive. Use it only with friends.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'tegema'.
Eile ta ______ nägu, et ta ei näe mind.
The sentence refers to 'eile' (yesterday), so we need the past tense third-person singular.
Which sentence means 'Don't pretend'?
Vali õige lause:
'Ära tee nägu' is the imperative negative form of the idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kas sa oled vihane? B: Ei ole, ma lihtsalt ______ (make a sour face).
'Haput nägu tegema' means to look annoyed or sour.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesEile ta ______ nägu, et ta ei näe mind.
The sentence refers to 'eile' (yesterday), so we need the past tense third-person singular.
Vali õige lause:
'Ära tee nägu' is the imperative negative form of the idiom.
A: Kas sa oled vihane? B: Ei ole, ma lihtsalt ______ (make a sour face).
'Haput nägu tegema' means to look annoyed or sour.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsIt depends on the context. Describing yourself doing it is neutral; telling someone else 'Ära tee nägu' (Don't act like that) can be confrontational.
Yes, but usually you add an adjective like 'naljakat nägu' (funny face) or 'lolli nägu' (stupid face).
'Teesklema' is the formal verb for 'to pretend'. 'Nägu tegema' is the idiomatic, more common version used in conversation.
Expressions liées
Head nägu tegema
specialized formTo put on a brave face.
Haput nägu tegema
specialized formTo look sour or dissatisfied.
Teesklema
synonymTo pretend.
