Meaning
A glass with nothing inside it.
Cultural Background
In Estonian homes, it is polite to wait for the host to offer a refill rather than asking directly, though pointing out a 'tühi klaas' is a subtle way to signal you are ready. Similar to Estonia, Finns value noticing the needs of others silently. An empty glass (tyhjä lasi) is a visual cue in social gatherings. In German beer culture, an empty glass is often replaced immediately by a waiter unless a coaster is placed on top of it. In Russian tradition, leaving an empty bottle or glass on the table is sometimes considered bad luck or 'poor form'; they are often moved to the floor or a side table.
Refill Etiquette
In Estonia, if you see someone with a 'tühi klaas', it's always polite to offer a refill before they ask.
Case Agreement
Remember that if you say 'I see an empty glass', it becomes 'tühja klaasi'. Don't forget the 'a' and 'i' endings!
Meaning
A glass with nothing inside it.
Refill Etiquette
In Estonia, if you see someone with a 'tühi klaas', it's always polite to offer a refill before they ask.
Case Agreement
Remember that if you say 'I see an empty glass', it becomes 'tühja klaasi'. Don't forget the 'a' and 'i' endings!
The 'Glass Half Full' Idiom
Estonians use the same metaphor as English: 'Kas klaas on pooltühi või pooltäis?'
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to say 'The glass is empty'.
Klaas on ______.
'Tühi' is the Estonian word for empty.
Which of these means 'An empty glass'?
Vali õige vastus:
In Estonian, the adjective 'tühi' comes before the noun 'klaas' in the nominative form.
Match the Estonian phrase with its English translation.
Ühenda paarid:
Matching basic adjectives with the noun 'klaas'.
Complete the dialogue.
Kelner: 'Kas te soovite veel vett?' Klient: 'Jah, palun. Mu ______ ______ ______.'
The customer wants more water because their glass is empty.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Common Empty Containers
Drinking
- • Tühi klaas
- • Tühi tass
- • Tühi pudel
Eating
- • Tühi taldrik
- • Tühi kauss
- • Tühi pott
Practice Bank
4 exercisesKlaas on ______.
'Tühi' is the Estonian word for empty.
Vali õige vastus:
In Estonian, the adjective 'tühi' comes before the noun 'klaas' in the nominative form.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching basic adjectives with the noun 'klaas'.
Kelner: 'Kas te soovite veel vett?' Klient: 'Jah, palun. Mu ______ ______ ______.'
The customer wants more water because their glass is empty.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, 'tühi tuba' is perfectly correct.
No, eyeglasses are 'prillid'. 'Klaas' refers to the material or a drinking glass.
You say 'Klaasid on tühjad'.
It's not rude, but it's more polite to say 'Palun mulle veel üks jook' (Please, another drink for me).
Related Phrases
tühi pudel
similarEmpty bottle
täis klaas
contrastFull glass
klaasvett
builds onA glass of water
tühjad pihud
similarEmpty palms (idiom)
