Significado
Becoming famous or well-known.
Contexto cultural
Estonians often view 'making a name' as an international goal. Because the domestic market is small, true success is often measured by recognition in the Baltics, Scandinavia, or globally. In the startup culture of Tallinn (e-Estonia), 'nime tegema' is frequently used to describe founders who have successfully exited a company or gained VC funding. In the traditional Seto culture, 'making a name' can refer to becoming a 'lauluema' (song mother), a lead singer in the traditional polyphonic singing style. In university towns like Tartu, 'nime tegema' is tied to publishing in high-impact journals and becoming a respected professor.
Use 'Endale'
Adding 'endale' (for oneself) makes you sound much more like a native speaker. 'Ta tegi endale nime' sounds better than 'Ta tegi nime'.
Avoid Negative Contexts
Don't use this for criminals or people famous for bad things unless you are being sarcastic.
Significado
Becoming famous or well-known.
Use 'Endale'
Adding 'endale' (for oneself) makes you sound much more like a native speaker. 'Ta tegi endale nime' sounds better than 'Ta tegi nime'.
Avoid Negative Contexts
Don't use this for criminals or people famous for bad things unless you are being sarcastic.
Modesty Matters
When saying you want to 'make a name', do it with a smile. Estonians appreciate ambition but dislike arrogance.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Ta tahab muusikas endale ______ teha.
'Nime tegema' is the fixed idiom for becoming famous.
Which sentence is correct for a professional context?
How do you say 'She made a name for herself as a doctor'?
'Tegi nime' is the correct idiomatic expression.
Match the person to the most likely use of 'nime tegema'.
Who is most likely to 'nime tegema'?
The idiom is used for significant achievements and rising fame.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kas sa tead seda uut kirjanikku? B: Jah, ta ______ eelmisel aastal oma debüütromaaniga nime.
The context is 'last year' (eelmisel aastal), so we need the past tense singular.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Nime tegema vs Nime panema
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosTa tahab muusikas endale ______ teha.
'Nime tegema' is the fixed idiom for becoming famous.
How do you say 'She made a name for herself as a doctor'?
'Tegi nime' is the correct idiomatic expression.
Who is most likely to 'nime tegema'?
The idiom is used for significant achievements and rising fame.
A: Kas sa tead seda uut kirjanikku? B: Jah, ta ______ eelmisel aastal oma debüütromaaniga nime.
The context is 'last year' (eelmisel aastal), so we need the past tense singular.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, it is very common to say a startup or a brand 'tegi nime' in a specific market.
Almost, but 'nime tegema' implies you did something specific to earn that fame, whereas 'kuulsaks saama' is just the state of becoming famous.
It is in the genitive case (omastav).
Yes, adding 'suurt' (big) emphasizes that the person became very famous.
It is neutral. You can use it in a newspaper or a chat with a friend.
Ma ei ole veel nime teinud.
Not necessarily, but in Estonia, fame and professional success usually go hand in hand with financial stability.
Yes, if you are very good at it and people in that hobby community know you.
Nime määrima (to ruin a reputation) or tundmatuks jääma (to remain unknown).
Rarely. Usually, even for a group, we say 'nad tegid nime' (they made a name).
Frases relacionadas
Kuulsaks saama
synonymTo become famous
Mainet looma
similarTo create a reputation
Pildil olema
builds onTo be in the picture / to be relevant
Tundmatuks jääma
contrastTo remain unknown
Nime määrima
contrastTo dirty one's name
Nime väärt olema
similarTo be worthy of the name
