Meaning
A positive description of a child.
Cultural Background
Estonians value 'vaikne tarkus' (quiet wisdom). A 'tark laps' is often one who listens more than they speak. The phrase is heavily used in Estonian kindergartens to encourage cognitive development over mere obedience. In Estonian fairy tales, the youngest son is often the 'tark laps' who outsmarts the devil or the greedy brothers. There is a shift toward praising effort ('tubli'), but 'tark' remains the ultimate compliment for innate ability.
Use it for pets!
Estonians often call their dogs 'tark laps' or 'tark koer' when they perform a trick correctly.
Watch the case
Remember that 'tark' becomes 'targa' in the genitive. 'Tark lapse' is a common beginner error.
Meaning
A positive description of a child.
Use it for pets!
Estonians often call their dogs 'tark laps' or 'tark koer' when they perform a trick correctly.
Watch the case
Remember that 'tark' becomes 'targa' in the genitive. 'Tark lapse' is a common beginner error.
Combine with 'tubli'
For the ultimate compliment, say 'Sa oled nii tark ja tubli!' (You are so smart and good!).
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'tark laps'.
See poiss loeb palju raamatuid, ta on ____.
The sentence needs the nominative case as it is the subject complement.
Which sentence is a natural compliment for a child?
Vali õige lause:
'Laps' means child, which fits the context of praising a young person.
Match the Estonian phrase with its English meaning.
Ühenda paarid:
Tark = Smart, Laps = Child.
Complete the dialogue.
Ema: 'Vaata, Mari joonistas ilusa pildi!' Isa: 'Jah, Mari on tõesti ____.'
Mari is a child's name, so 'tark laps' is the logical choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tark vs Tubli
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSee poiss loeb palju raamatuid, ta on ____.
The sentence needs the nominative case as it is the subject complement.
Vali õige lause:
'Laps' means child, which fits the context of praising a young person.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Tark = Smart, Laps = Child.
Ema: 'Vaata, Mari joonistas ilusa pildi!' Isa: 'Jah, Mari on tõesti ____.'
Mari is a child's name, so 'tark laps' is the logical choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but as they get older, 'tark noor' (smart youth) or just 'tark' becomes more common.
'Tark' is more common and warmer. 'Intelligentne' sounds like something from a scientific paper.
That would be 'kõige targem laps'.
Yes, it's a very polite and safe compliment in Estonia.
The opposite would be 'loll laps' (stupid child), but this is very rude and should be avoided.
In some contexts, it can mean 'wise' or 'sensible'.
Yes, 'tark tüdruk' (smart girl) and 'tark poiss' (smart boy) are also very common.
This is due to Estonian consonant gradation, where 'k' weakens or disappears in certain cases.
Constantly! It's a staple of Estonian children's literature.
It's neutral. It works in both formal (school) and informal (home) settings.
Related Phrases
tubli laps
similargood/diligent child
nupukas laps
synonymclever/resourceful child
mõistlik laps
similarsensible child
lapsgeenius
specialized formchild genius
