A1 Idiom ニュートラル

Pöialt hoidma

Keep fingers crossed

意味

Wishing someone good luck.

🌍

文化的背景

In Estonia, the physical gesture of putting the thumb inside the fist is often done while saying the phrase to emphasize the wish. The phrase is nearly identical in Germany, reflecting the historical Hanseatic and Baltic German influence on Estonian culture. Finns use 'pitää peukkuja' (hold thumbs), which is linguistically very close to Estonian, showing the Finno-Ugric connection. Russians use 'держать кулачки' (to hold little fists), which is a similar concept of closing the hand for luck.

🎯

Use it in texts

Estonians love using the 'thumbs up' emoji 👍 to represent this phrase in digital communication.

⚠️

Don't say 'ristan sõrmi'

Even though you see it in movies, saying 'I cross my fingers' in Estonian sounds very unnatural.

意味

Wishing someone good luck.

🎯

Use it in texts

Estonians love using the 'thumbs up' emoji 👍 to represent this phrase in digital communication.

⚠️

Don't say 'ristan sõrmi'

Even though you see it in movies, saying 'I cross my fingers' in Estonian sounds very unnatural.

💬

The 'Omadele' rule

When supporting your own country or friends, use 'Hoiame omadele pöialt' to sound like a native.

自分をテスト

Fill in the correct form of the word 'pöial'.

Ma hoian sulle ______.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: pöialt

The idiom always uses the partitive case 'pöialt'.

Which sentence is the most natural way to wish a friend luck?

Sinu sõbral on täna tööintervjuu. Mida sa ütled?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Ma hoian sulle pöialt!

This is the standard idiomatic expression in Estonian.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Mul on homme suur kontsert. B: Oi kui põnev! ______.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Ma hoian sulle pöialt!

You hold the thumb (pöialt), not other body parts, to wish luck.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Situation: A group of fans supporting the national team.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Hoiame omadele pöialt!

'Omadele' (for our own) is used when supporting your team or compatriots.

🎉 スコア: /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

Thumb vs. Fingers

Estonian
Pöialt hoidma Hold thumb
English
Cross fingers Sõrmi ristama

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Fill in the correct form of the word 'pöial'. Fill Blank A1

Ma hoian sulle ______.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: pöialt

The idiom always uses the partitive case 'pöialt'.

Which sentence is the most natural way to wish a friend luck? Choose A1

Sinu sõbral on täna tööintervjuu. Mida sa ütled?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Ma hoian sulle pöialt!

This is the standard idiomatic expression in Estonian.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: Mul on homme suur kontsert. B: Oi kui põnev! ______.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Ma hoian sulle pöialt!

You hold the thumb (pöialt), not other body parts, to wish luck.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching B1

Situation: A group of fans supporting the national team.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Hoiame omadele pöialt!

'Omadele' (for our own) is used when supporting your team or compatriots.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

10 問

Usually no. You don't 'hold your thumb' for yourself. You ask others: 'Hoidke mulle pöialt!'

Both are fine. 'Pöialt' (singular) is more common, but 'pöidlaid' (plural) implies you are using both hands for extra luck.

Yes, if you have a good relationship. It's a very safe, warm idiom.

Tuck your thumb into your palm and wrap your other four fingers over it to make a fist.

Yes, but it's more specific to a certain event rather than a general wish for a good life.

No, it must be partitive: 'pöidlaid' or 'pöialt'.

Yes: 'Ma hoidsin sulle pöialt' (I was holding my thumb for you).

Absolutely. It's very common on Instagram and TikTok in Estonia.

Just say 'Edu sulle!' (Success to you!), which is the literal equivalent.

Yes, many Estonian pop songs use it to describe supporting a loved one.

関連フレーズ

🔗

Kivi kotti!

similar

Break a leg / Good luck

🔄

Edu sulle!

synonym

Success to you

🔗

Naela kummi!

specialized form

A nail in your tire!

🔗

Tuult tiibadesse!

builds on

Wind in your wings

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