Signification
General term for playing wind instruments.
Contexte culturel
Brass bands are a huge part of this UNESCO-recognized event. Thousands of people 'puhuvad pilli' simultaneously in a massive orchestra. In the 19th century, playing a wind instrument was a way for Estonian peasants to organize and express national pride. Ancient Estonians believed that blowing a wooden pipe could protect cattle from wolves. Estonia has a vibrant jazz scene where 'pilli puhumine' has moved from traditional brass to experimental saxophone and trumpet.
Sound like a native
Even if you play the flute, just saying 'Ma puhun pilli' sounds very natural and humble in Estonian.
Grammar Alert
Always use the partitive case for the instrument. 'Puhun pill' is a very common beginner mistake.
Signification
General term for playing wind instruments.
Sound like a native
Even if you play the flute, just saying 'Ma puhun pilli' sounds very natural and humble in Estonian.
Grammar Alert
Always use the partitive case for the instrument. 'Puhun pill' is a very common beginner mistake.
The 'Lõhki' Idiom
Use 'pilli lõhki puhuma' when talking about someone being too greedy in business—it's very effective!
Teste-toi
Täida lünk õige sõnaga (puhun, mängin, puhuda).
Ma tahan õppida flööti ____.
After 'tahan õppida', we use the da-infinitive 'puhuda'.
Vali õige lause.
Kuidas öelda 'I play the trumpet'?
We use 'puhun' for trumpet and the object must be in partitive case (trompetit).
Sobita lause olukorraga.
Sinu sõber on liiga ahne (greedy). Mida sa ütled?
The idiom 'pilli lõhki puhuma' means to overdo something or be too greedy.
Lõpeta dialoog.
A: Kas sa mängid klaverit? B: Ei, ma ____.
If you don't play piano, you might play a wind instrument ('puhun pilli').
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Which verb to use?
Puhuma (Blow)
- • Flööt
- • Trompet
- • Saksofon
- • Suupill
Mängima (Play)
- • Klaver
- • Kitarr
- • Viiul
Lööma (Hit)
- • Trummid
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMa tahan õppida flööti ____.
After 'tahan õppida', we use the da-infinitive 'puhuda'.
Kuidas öelda 'I play the trumpet'?
We use 'puhun' for trumpet and the object must be in partitive case (trompetit).
Sinu sõber on liiga ahne (greedy). Mida sa ütled?
The idiom 'pilli lõhki puhuma' means to overdo something or be too greedy.
A: Kas sa mängid klaverit? B: Ei, ma ____.
If you don't play piano, you might play a wind instrument ('puhun pilli').
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! A harmonica is a wind instrument, so 'suupilli puhuma' is the correct term.
It's not grammatically wrong, but it sounds like a translation from English. Natives prefer 'puhuma'.
It means 'burst' or 'into pieces'. So you are literally blowing the instrument until it breaks.
No, for singing we use 'laulma'.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or with a music professor.
Ma puhun praegu trompetit.
In modern Estonian, yes. In slang, it can sometimes mean 'car' or 'thing', but that's rare.
It is the noun for 'wind instrument' (blow-instrument).
'Pasun' is specifically a horn/trumpet. 'Pill' is any instrument.
Yes, Estonians would find that funny because it's physically impossible!
Expressions liées
pasunat puhuma
similarTo blow a horn / to brag
pilli lõhki puhuma
specialized formTo overdo something
pillid kotti panema
idiomTo pack up and leave / to give up
teise pilli järgi tantsima
idiomTo dance to someone else's tune
puhkpilliorkester
builds onBrass band / Wind orchestra
