Signification
Engaging in games involving a ball.
Contexte culturel
Basketball is often called the 'second religion' in Estonia. Playing ball is a key social activity for men and women of all ages. In Estonian schools, 'pallimängud' is a specific part of the PE grade. Students must learn basketball, volleyball, and soccer. During the summer, beach volleyball (rannavõrkpall) is extremely popular. You will see people 'palli mängimas' on every public beach. In villages, the local 'palliväljak' (ball court) is the center of youth social life.
The 'i' Rule
Always remember the 'i' at the end of 'palli'. Without it, the sentence sounds incomplete to Estonians.
Instrument Confusion
Don't say 'palli mängima' if you mean playing the piano. That's 'klaverit mängima'.
Signification
Engaging in games involving a ball.
The 'i' Rule
Always remember the 'i' at the end of 'palli'. Without it, the sentence sounds incomplete to Estonians.
Instrument Confusion
Don't say 'palli mängima' if you mean playing the piano. That's 'klaverit mängima'.
Compound it!
If you know the name of the sport, just stick it to the front of 'palli' to sound more like a native.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the word 'pall'.
Lapsed tahavad õues ____ mängida.
The object of 'mängida' must be in the partitive case, which is 'palli'.
Choose the correct verb form.
Ma lähen täna sõpradega palli ____.
After the verb 'lähen' (going), we use the 'ma-infinitive' to show purpose.
Match the Estonian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
These cover the basic tense and infinitive variations.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kas sa tahad täna midagi teha? B: Jah, lähme ____!
'Lähme' is followed by the 'ma-infinitive'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesLapsed tahavad õues ____ mängida.
The object of 'mängida' must be in the partitive case, which is 'palli'.
Ma lähen täna sõpradega palli ____.
After the verb 'lähen' (going), we use the 'ma-infinitive' to show purpose.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These cover the basic tense and infinitive variations.
A: Kas sa tahad täna midagi teha? B: Jah, lähme ____!
'Lähme' is followed by the 'ma-infinitive'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's a general term, but 'tennist mängima' is more common for that specific sport.
Because it's the object of the sentence, and in Estonian, objects of 'playing' are in the partitive case.
No, for video games you say 'arvutimänge mängima' (playing computer games).
Yes, but it means 'playing with a ball' (like a toy) rather than playing a game.
Historically basketball, but soccer and volleyball are also very popular.
Ma lähen palli mängima.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a formal report.
Technically yes, but people usually say 'golfi mängima'.
It's a casual/slang way to say playing ball, literally 'to pound the ball'.
Only if they actually have a ball. Otherwise, it's just 'mängima'.
Expressions liées
jalgpalli mängima
specialized formTo play soccer
korvpalli mängima
specialized formTo play basketball
palliga mängima
similarTo play with a ball
mängu mängima
builds onTo play a game
palli taga ajama
synonymTo chase the ball
