Signification
Quiet people can have deep characters.
Contexte culturel
Estonians value silence and introversion. Being called 'vaga vesi' is often a compliment to one's intelligence. Similar to Estonians, Finns use 'Sitä kuusi kuuleminen, jonka juurella asuminen' but also recognize the 'still waters' concept as a sign of reliability. In Russian culture, the equivalent 'В тихом омуте черти водятся' (In a quiet pool, devils dwell) is much more suspicious and negative. In the US, 'Still waters run deep' is often used to describe 'the strong, silent type' in movies and literature.
Use it for surprises
The best time to use this is when someone surprises you with a skill you didn't know they had.
Don't say 'väga'
Make sure to pronounce the 'a' in 'vaga' clearly. 'Väga' means 'very' and makes no sense here.
Signification
Quiet people can have deep characters.
Use it for surprises
The best time to use this is when someone surprises you with a skill you didn't know they had.
Don't say 'väga'
Make sure to pronounce the 'a' in 'vaga' clearly. 'Väga' means 'very' and makes no sense here.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
Vaga vesi, ______ põhi.
The proverb is 'Vaga vesi, sügav põhi' (Still water, deep bottom).
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Vaga vesi, sügav põhi'?
A quiet student who never speaks in class but wins a national science competition.
The proverb describes someone whose quiet exterior hides great depth or talent.
Match the Estonian words with their English meanings.
Match the components of the proverb.
These are the literal translations of the four words in the proverb.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: 'Ma ei teadnudki, et Toomas nii hästi luuletusi kirjutab!' B: 'Jah, ta on...'
This is the appropriate proverb for discovering a hidden talent in a quiet person.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVaga vesi, ______ põhi.
The proverb is 'Vaga vesi, sügav põhi' (Still water, deep bottom).
A quiet student who never speaks in class but wins a national science competition.
The proverb describes someone whose quiet exterior hides great depth or talent.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the literal translations of the four words in the proverb.
A: 'Ma ei teadnudki, et Toomas nii hästi luuletusi kirjutab!' B: 'Jah, ta on...'
This is the appropriate proverb for discovering a hidden talent in a quiet person.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsUsually, yes, but it can be used to imply someone is being 'sneaky' or hiding something bad. Context is key.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. It applies to anyone.
It is a traditional proverb, but it is still used very frequently in modern Estonian speech and media.
Expressions liées
Vaikne nagu hiir
similarQuiet as a mouse
Tühi tünn kumiseb rohkem
contrastAn empty barrel makes more noise
Käbi ei kuku kännust kaugele
similarThe apple doesn't fall far from the tree
