Meaning
A common way to describe cinema.
Cultural Background
Estonians are very direct. If you ask if they liked a movie and they didn't, they will say 'See oli igav' without hesitation. The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) is one of the biggest in Northern Europe. Estonians take their cinema seriously. On Estonian Facebook groups for movie fans, 'igav film' is a common tag for disappointing blockbusters. During the dark Estonian winters, a 'boring movie' is seen as a waste of a precious evening out.
Use 'väga'
Add 'väga' (very) to say 'väga igav film' for extra emphasis.
Case Agreement
Don't forget that if you use 'filmi', you must use 'igavat'.
Meaning
A common way to describe cinema.
Use 'väga'
Add 'väga' (very) to say 'väga igav film' for extra emphasis.
Case Agreement
Don't forget that if you use 'filmi', you must use 'igavat'.
The 'Surm' prefix
Use 'surmigav' to sound like a native when you are really annoyed by a movie.
Be Direct
Don't worry about being rude; Estonians appreciate honest movie reviews.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'igav'.
See on ______ film.
In a simple 'See on...' (This is...) sentence, we use the nominative case.
Which sentence is correct?
I am watching a boring movie.
The verb 'vaatama' requires the partitive case for its object.
Match the Estonian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
Basic vocabulary matching for film descriptions.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kas sulle meeldis see uus film? B: Ei, see oli ______.
The context requires a noun phrase to describe the movie.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Igav vs. Igavene
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSee on ______ film.
In a simple 'See on...' (This is...) sentence, we use the nominative case.
I am watching a boring movie.
The verb 'vaatama' requires the partitive case for its object.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Basic vocabulary matching for film descriptions.
A: Kas sulle meeldis see uus film? B: Ei, see oli ______.
The context requires a noun phrase to describe the movie.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, 'igav raamat' is perfectly correct.
The most common opposite is 'huvitav film' (interesting movie) or 'põnev film' (exciting movie).
No, it's a standard, neutral word for boring. It's not offensive.
You would say 'See film on minu jaoks igav' or 'Mul on seda filmi vaadates igav'.
No, 'lonely' is 'üksildane'. 'Igav' is only for boredom.
No, it's a loanword, which is why it's so easy for English speakers to remember!
Use 'rahulik' (calm) or 'aeglane' (slow) instead of 'igav'.
See on 'kõige igavam film'.
Yes, 'igavad filmid' for nominative plural.
Yes, 'see on igav olukord' (this is a boring situation).
Younger people might say 'mõttetu' (pointless) or 'uimane' (sluggish).
They share the same root meaning 'time' or 'age'.
Yes, but it usually refers to the experience of going to the cinema being boring, rather than the film itself.
It is 'igavaid filme'.
Related Phrases
huvitav film
contrastinteresting movie
surmigav
builds ondeathly boring
igav inimene
similarboring person
mõttetu film
synonympointless movie
