Signification
To be very irritating to someone.
Contexte culturel
Estonians value their 'personal bubble.' Someone who 'käib pinda' is often someone who talks too much or asks too many personal questions, violating this cultural norm of privacy. In Estonian offices, efficiency is key. A boss who micromanages is frequently described as 'pinda käiv,' reflecting the high value placed on autonomy. Younger generations might shorten it or use it in gaming contexts to describe 'griefing' or annoying playstyles. It is the standard way for children to describe nagging parents, and vice versa. It's considered less rude than 'ma vihkan sind' (I hate you) but more serious than 'sa oled naljakas' (you are funny).
Use with 'täiega'
To sound more native, add 'täiega' (totally/fully). 'See käib mulle täiega pinda!' makes you sound very authentic.
Don't use with your boss
Even if your boss is annoying, telling them they 'käivad pinda' is a quick way to get a meeting with HR. Stick to 'häirima' in professional settings.
Signification
To be very irritating to someone.
Use with 'täiega'
To sound more native, add 'täiega' (totally/fully). 'See käib mulle täiega pinda!' makes you sound very authentic.
Don't use with your boss
Even if your boss is annoying, telling them they 'käivad pinda' is a quick way to get a meeting with HR. Stick to 'häirima' in professional settings.
The 'Splinter' Visual
If you forget the word, just think of wood. The word for wood is 'puu', and a splinter is 'pind'. It helps anchor the vocabulary.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the person being annoyed (Allative case).
See muusika käib ______ (I) pinda.
The idiom 'pinda käima' always takes the Allative case (-le) for the person who is annoyed.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a friend they are being annoying?
Vali õige lause:
The standard idiomatic form is 'käima' (to go/walk) with 'pinda'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kas sa tahad minuga kinno tulla? B: Ei. A: Aga miks? Lähme ikka! B: Ära ______ ______!
In this context of nagging, 'Ära käi pinda' is the most natural idiomatic response.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Match: 'See reklaam käib mulle pinda.'
The idiom is used for repetitive annoyances.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSee muusika käib ______ (I) pinda.
The idiom 'pinda käima' always takes the Allative case (-le) for the person who is annoyed.
Vali õige lause:
The standard idiomatic form is 'käima' (to go/walk) with 'pinda'.
A: Kas sa tahad minuga kinno tulla? B: Ei. A: Aga miks? Lähme ikka! B: Ära ______ ______!
In this context of nagging, 'Ära käi pinda' is the most natural idiomatic response.
Match: 'See reklaam käib mulle pinda.'
The idiom is used for repetitive annoyances.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt's informal and expresses frustration, so it can be seen as blunt. It's not a swear word, but it's definitely not polite.
Both! You can say a person käib pinda, or a slow computer käib pinda.
They are almost identical. 'Pinda käima' feels a bit more like 'nagging,' while 'närvidele käima' is general irritation.
You say 'Ta käib pinda.' You don't need to say 'to me' if it's obvious.
Not directly for the idiom, but you can call an annoying person 'pind perse' (a splinter in the a**), though that is very vulgar!
Expressions liées
närvidele käima
synonymTo get on someone's nerves.
ajudele käima
similarTo drive someone crazy (literally: to walk on brains).
tüütu olema
similarTo be annoying.
pinda andma
builds onTo give someone a hard time.
