Signification
Stating that something is incorrect.
Contexte culturel
Estonians are very direct. Calling something 'vale' isn't necessarily an insult; it's often just a factual correction. In Estonian business culture, accuracy is more important than hierarchy. It is okay to correct a boss with 'See on vale'. Estonia is highly digitized. You will often see 'Vale parool' (Wrong password) on login screens. Estonian folk tales often feature the 'Kaval-Ants' (Cunning Ants) who uses 'valed' (lies) to trick the Devil (Vanapagan).
Directness
Don't be afraid to use this phrase. Estonians appreciate the clarity.
Accusations
Be careful using this with friends; it can sound like you're calling them a liar.
Signification
Stating that something is incorrect.
Directness
Don't be afraid to use this phrase. Estonians appreciate the clarity.
Accusations
Be careful using this with friends; it can sound like you're calling them a liar.
Softening
Add 'Ma arvan, et...' (I think that...) to make it less blunt.
Truth in Estonia
Remember the book 'Tõde ja Õigus'—truth is a big deal here!
Teste-toi
How do you say 'That is wrong' in Estonian?
Someone says 2+2=5. You say:
'Vale' means wrong/false. 'Õige' means right, 'hea' means good, and 'ilus' means beautiful.
Complete the sentence to say 'That was wrong'.
See ___ vale.
'Oli' is the past tense of 'on' (is).
What is the most natural response?
A: Tallinn on Läti pealinn. (Tallinn is the capital of Latvia) B: _________
Since the statement is factually incorrect, 'See on vale' is the correct response.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You see a news article that you know is fake.
'Vale-uudis' is the Estonian term for 'fake news'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Vale vs. Viga
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSomeone says 2+2=5. You say:
'Vale' means wrong/false. 'Õige' means right, 'hea' means good, and 'ilus' means beautiful.
See ___ vale.
'Oli' is the past tense of 'on' (is).
A: Tallinn on Läti pealinn. (Tallinn is the capital of Latvia) B: _________
Since the statement is factually incorrect, 'See on vale' is the correct response.
You see a news article that you know is fake.
'Vale-uudis' is the Estonian term for 'fake news'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, you can say 'See on vale tee' (This is the wrong road).
It's both! It can mean 'a lie' (noun) or 'wrong' (adjective).
You say 'Sa eksid' (You are mistaken) or 'Sul on vale' (informal/rare) or just 'See on vale'.
The opposite is 'õige' (right/correct).
It's better to say 'Vabandust, kas see on vale?' or 'Ma arvan, et see on vale'.
Yes, like 'valeraha' (fake money).
It is the verb 'to lie'.
'Vale' is 'wrong/false', 'viga' is 'a mistake/error'. They overlap but 'viga' is more technical.
Exactly the same: 'See on vale'.
Yes, but 'jama' or 'bullsitt' are more common for 'nonsense'.
Expressions liées
See on viga
similarThat is a mistake
See on õige
contrastThat is right/correct
Sa valetad
builds onYou are lying
See on jama
informalThat is nonsense
Vale-uudised
specialized formFake news
Valesti tegema
similarTo do wrongly
