Friday Phrase 17

"Acta, non verba", a.k.a. "Facta, non verba" simply means that we shouldn't put too much emphasis on words at the expense of deeds.

For actions speak louder than words. In Finland we say: "Teot puhuvat enemmän kuin sanat" or sometimes "Teot puhuvat puolestaan". In Estonia "Meetmete Sõnaloendus on", or "Meetmed räägivad iseenda eest". We are all really like actors and directors in our own movie, and every now and then the director claps the clapperboard and shouts: Action! - or otherwise the film would never come out.

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
enemmän = rohkem, enam = more
klaffi / tahdistuslauta =  = clapperboard, clap slate
korostaa = rõhutada = to put emphasis, emphasize
puhuvat = räägivad = speak (pl.)
puolestaan = iseenda eest = in their own behalf
sanamäärä = sõnaloendus
sanat = sõnad = words
teot = meetmed = actions, deeds
toimenpide = meede = means, proceeding, action  
toimenpiteet = measures, means of action 
toiminta, teot = meetmed = action, activity

Make-Blog-Known-Month

Let's make July the Make-Blog-Known-Month! This blog seems to be at a pretty low reading level, and that's just a shame! So Reader - whoever you are or wherever you are - take part in a joined effort to make this blog more known - if you think it deserves it!
 

There is a questionnaire on the right - and here is what you can do:

- subscribe to the blog
- forward an article to a friend
- forward blog address to a friend
- like the blog in facebook
- like the separate articles in facebook
- share the blog with your friends and local business

Thank you for your co-operation. :)  

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
erillinen = eraldine = separate
jakaa = jagada = to share
kuka tahansa oletkin = whoever you are
kysely = küsimusleht, ankeet = questionnaire
lukija = lugeja = reader
missä tahansa oletkin = wherever you are
ottaa osaa = osa võtta = to take part
yhteistyö = koostöö, koostoimimine = co-operation

Friday Phrase 16

Finnish is often considered a language of long and difficult words (we do have those, mainly due to inflection!), but some things can be said shorter as well. For example the Finnish version of Never say never. The verb form ending in -matta means 'without doing' (that something), so Vannomatta paras would literally translate "best not to swear (on it)". The Estonian phrase for this would be Ära ütle kunagi, et mitte iialgi. However you say it, there is always hope, always room for change, always chance for changed circumstances and surprising outcomes, and always a possibility for change in personal preferences. Nunquam nunquam narra!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
ei koskaan, ei ikinä = ei kunagi, mitte kunagi, iial = never
henkilökohtainen mieltymys = isiklik eelistus = personal preference
mahdollisuus = võimalikkus = possibility
muutos = muutus = change
olosuhteet = olukord, tingimused = circumstances
paras = parim = (the) best
toivo = lootus = hope
vannoa = vanduda = swear, make an oath
vannomatta = vandumata = without swearing 
Vannomatta paras = Ära ütle kunagi, et mitte iialgi = Never say never = Nunquam nunquam narra (in Latin)
yllättävä käänne = ootamatu pöörde=  surprising outcome

Tallinna teletorn

At 314 meters, Tallinna Teletorn is the tallest building in Estonia, readily seen if you enter the city by sea, on the left. It was opened during the Soviet era in 1980 - built to provide better telecommunication services for the Olympics that summer. 

Before independence, a freedom-loving citizen might catch at night sight of the lights of Helsinki on the other side of the Soomelaht - and dream of freedom.

Since then the tower has been renovated, and has even come up with a very modern thing: a chance for the more adventurous visitor, attached to a safety line, to take a stroll on the observation deck at 175 meters height. To do that you need to be julge, at least 13 years of age, weigh between 34 and 140 kg, and also meet some other requirements.

Naturally there is also a cafeteria on the vaateplatvorm, which offers a panoramic view over Tallinn and its surroundings. Look here for all the other features (museum, giftshop, cinema, etc).

How do you get to the tower?

The tower is located about 10 kilometers from the city center. Buses with numbers 34A, 38, 49 and 288 go through there - just push the stop button when you hear "Järgmine peatus: Teletorn"! Or you could just take a takso!

Address: Kloostrimetsa 58a, Tallinn, Estonia

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
haaveilla vapaudesta = unistada vabadusest = to dream of freedom
korkeus = kõrgus = height
näköalatasanne = vaateplatvorm = observation deck
näköalatorni = vaatetorn = observation tower
painaa = kaaluda = to weigh
pysähtymisnappi = stopp nupp = stop button
rohkea = julge = bold
seikkailunhaluinen = seiklushimuline = adventurous
seuraava pysäkki = järgmine peatus = next stop
Suomenlahti = Soome laht = Gulf of Finland
taksi = takso = taxi, cab
Tallinnan televisiotorni = Tallinna teletorn = Tallinn TV Tower
torni = torn = tower
turvavaljaat = turvarakmed = safety harness
äärelläkävely = servakõnd = edgewalk

Sport News in July

Let's continue on the Wimbledon tennis theme since the Estonian esireket Kaia Kanepi has managed to get to the quarter finals there! Today she will play against Sabine Lisicki from Germany whom she has never met yet (Kanepi pole Lisickiga varem kohtunud). Postimees writes:

Eesti esireket Kaia Kanepi (WTA 46.) kohtub teisipäeval Wimbledoni suure slämmi tenniseturniiril 23. asetatud Saksamaa tennisisti Sabine Lisickiga (WTA 24.), mängust teeb otseülekande ka ETV.

Kohtumine algab Eesti aja järgi kell 15, otseülekanne algab kell 14:50. Mängu kommenteerivad Anu Säärits ja Toomas Kuum, vahendab ERR Sport.

Kanepi pole Lisickiga varem kohtunud, 2011. aasta Pekingi turniiril oli Lisicki sunnitud eestlannale mänguta andma loobumisvõidu.

Esmaspäevases kaheksandikfinaalis alistas Kanepi brittide lootuse Laura Robsoni (WTA 38.), Lisicki aga lülitas konkurentsist välja maailma esireketi Serena Williamsi.

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
alkaa = algab = starts
brittien toivo = brittide lootus = the Brittish hope
Eestin aikaan, Viron aikaan = Eesti aja järgi = Estonian time (at)
ei ole kohdannut aikaisemmin = pole varem kohtunud = hasn't faced (her) before
kilpailu = konkurents = competition
kohdata = kohtada = to face
kohtaa tiistaina = kohtub teisipäeval = will face on Tuesday
luovutusvoitto = loobumisvõit = walkover
maailman ykkönen tenniksessä = maailma esireket = the world number one (in tennis)
maanantai = esmaspäev = Monday
maanantaisessa neljännen kierroksen ottelussa  = esmaspäevases kaheksandikfinaalis = in the 4th round match on Monday
ottelu = mäng = match
pakotettu = sunnitud = forced to
passitti ulos kilpailusta = lülitas konkurentsist välja = beat out of the competition
peli-erä-ottelu = geim-sett-mäng = game-set-match
peliä kommentoivat = mängu kommenteerivad = the game will be commented by
puolivälierä = veerandfinaal = quarterfinal
Saksa = Saksamaa = Germany
saksalainen = sakslane = German
saksatar = sakslanna = German (female)
seedattu = asetatud = seeded
suora lähetys = otseülekanne = live broadcast
tennis = tennis = tennis
tiistaina = teisipäeval = on Tuesday
ykköspelaaja = esireket = number one in tennis
vastaan = vastu = against
välierä = poolfinaal = semifinal 

Sport News in June

This blog utilizes every now and then the Estonian newspaper Postimees for further study of Eesti keel through numerous articles that might be of interest - dissected into smaller parts: words and sentences. This time it is about Wimbledon tennis, starting out today. There was a first major upset in the tournament as the fifth seeded Italian Sara Errani lost to Moniga Puigi in the opening round.

Sara Errani

Tenniskenttä-Tenniseväljak-Tennis court



"Wimbledoni tenniseturniiril sündis täna esimene suurüllatus, kui viiendana asetatud itaallanna Sara Errani kaotas avaringis Monica Puigile Puerto Ricost 3:6, 2:6. Järgmises ringis kohtub 19-aastane Puigi hispaanlanna Silvia Soler-Espinosaga. Errani loobus hiljuti Eastborne´i turniirist, sest teda vaevas reielihase vigastus, mis võis tema mängu segada ka täna."

And later on today even Rafael Nadal lost! Could be this will be a tournament full of upsets.

 

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
avauskierros = avaring = opening round
avauskierroksella = avaringis = in the opening round
eesti, viro = eesti keel = Estonian (the language)
espanjatar = hispaanlanna = Spaniard (female)
häntä vaivasi reisilihasvamma = teda vaevas reielihase vigastus = she was bothered by an injury in the thigh muscle
hävitä = kaotada = to lose
italiatar = itaallanna = Italian (female)
jakaa (osiin) = tükeldada = to dissect
luovuttaa = loovutada = to cede, yield
peli-erä-ottelu = geim-sett-mäng = game-set-match
reisilihasvamma = reielihase vigastus = injury in the thigh muscle
seuraavalla kierroksella = järgmises ringis = in the next round
suuryllätys, jymypaukku = suurüllatus = major upset, big surprise
tennis = tennis = tennis
tenniskenttä = tenniseväljak = tennis court
tennismaila = tennisereket = tennis racket
tennispallo = tennisepall = tennis ball
tennispelaaja = tennisemängija = tennis player
tennisturnamentti = tenniseturniir = tennis tournament
tänään = täna = today
vamma = vigastus = injury
vastaan = vastu = against
viidenneksi seedattu italiatar = viiendana asetatud itaallanna = the fifth seeded Italian

The Moomin

Muumitalo - Muumimaja - Moominhouse

Ever heard of the Moomin? The Moomin tales were written by the Swedish-speaking Finn Tove Jansson (starting in the 1940's) who was born in Helsinki in 1914. You can see that the original language of the Moominvalley stories is Swedish in that many of the Moomin characters are transliterated from that language. 

The stories first appeared as books of course, but later on as children's theater production, cartoon strips and filmed versions, and then in the 1990's as TV-series made in Japan. It revived these wonderfully told stories to whole new generations, and created a "Moomin Boom". In Finland the series is known as Muumilaakson tarinoita, and you can see them right here. And in English e.g. here.

A popular thing to do on the ferry boats between Helsinki and Stockholm is to visit the taxfree gift shop on deck 7, and purchase Moomin merchandise: plates, mugs, key holders, toys, T-shirts, jewellery, character hangstraps and what not! Japanese tourists are especially fond of all that, and it is no wonder really since the series and  Moomin characters are so well-known in Japan. But maybe not something for the U.S. audience?

You can read about the different characters in the Moominvalley in the vocabulary links below. Because of the Japanese connection, this time with Japanese equivalents as well, doozo onegai-shimasu! And if you have small kids, don't forget that there is the Muumimaailma theme park in Naantali, on the west coast of southern Finland.

PS. 

Hauskaa juhannusta! 

Lõbusat jaanipäeva! 

Happy Midsummer Day! 

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
Haisuli = Stinky = スティンキー
Hattivatit = Hatifnatid = Hattifnatters =  ニョロニョロ (Nyoro-nyoro)
Hemuli = Koduvana = Hemulen = ヘムレン
Hosuli = Nuhkloom =
Juksu = Sekeldaja = The Joxter
Muumilaakso = Muumiorg = Moominvalley =
Muumimamma = Muumimamma = Moominmamma = ムーミンママ
Muumipappa = Muumipapa = Moominpappa = ムーミンパパ
Muumipeikko = Muumitroll = Moomintroll = ムーミントロール
Muumitalo = Muumimaja = Moominhouse = ムーミン一家の家
Mörkö = Urr = The Groke = モラン (Moran)
Niisku = Tusklik = Snork = スノーク
Niiskuneiti = Tusklikupreili = The Snork Maiden = スノークのお嬢さん 
Nipsu = Sniff = Sniff = スニフ
Nuuskamuikkunen = Nuuskmõmmik = Snufkin = スナフキン
Näkymätön Ninni = Ninny =
Pikku Myy = Väike My = Little My = ミイ (Mii)
Taikuri = The Hobgoblin = 飛行おに
Vilijonkka = Filifjonka = Fillyjonk = フィリフヨンカ

Midsummer weather

Midsummer coming and many of us thinking what the weather is gonna be like. Will the sun shine or is it gonna rain? The Estonian newspaper Postimees is writing about the Finnish Midsummer weather with the title: Soomlased lubavad jaanipäevaks soojalainet - the Finns promise heat wave for Midsummer. 

Hopefully that will be the case! And if so, many of us will head for the beaches equipped with aurinkolasit, päikesekübar, sunscreen and a nice picnic bag! But first - as long as you are still at your tietokone - open the Postimees article in a new window, and use the vocabulary below for assistance to learn some more Estonian, Finnish and English, weatherwise!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
auringonpistos = päikesepiste = sunstroke
aurinko = päike = sun
aurinko paistaa = päike paistab = the sun is shining
aurinkoinen = päikesepaisteline = sunny
aurinkolasit = päikeseprillid = sunglasses
aurinkovoide = päikesekreem = sunscreen
helle, lämpö = soojus = heat, warmth
hellehattu = päikesekübar = sunhat
ilma = õhk = air
ilma (colloq.) = ilm = weather
Itämeren ympäristössä = Läänemere ümbruses = in the Baltic Sea area
jopa 30 lämpöasteen tienoilla = lausa 30 soojakraadi lähedal = up to +30 degrees celcius
juhannuksena = jaanipäeval = in Midsummer
juhannusaattona = jaanilaupäeval  = on  Midsummer's Eve
keli = road conditions
keskiviikko = kolmapäev, kesknädal = Wednesday
keskiviikosta = kesknädalast = from Wednesday on
korkeapainealue = kõrgrõhkkond = anticyclone area, high-pressure area
lämmin = soe (-> sooja) = warm
lämmin rintama = soe front = warm front
lämpimämmäksi = soojemaks = (the weather becomes) warmer
lämpöaalto= soojalaine = heat wave
lämpötila = temperatuur = temperature
lämpötila kohoaa tuntuvasti = temperatuurid kerkivad märkimisväärselt = the temperature rises considerably
matalapainealue = madalrõhkkond, tsüklon = cyclone area, low-pressure area
melko epävakaa(ta) = üsna ebastabiilne = pretty unstable
meteorologien mukaan = meteoroloogide sõnul = according to the meteorologists
monin paikoin = mõnel pool, mitmes paigas = in many places
niin Suomessa kuten lähialueilla = nii Soomes kui lähiriikides = in Finland as well as in neighboring areas
sade = vihm = rain
sadekuuro = hoovihm = rain shower
samalla voi esiintyä sadekuuroja = samas aga ei pruugi hoovihmad lakata = there may be occasional rain showers as well
sateet = vihmasadusid = the rain
suomalaiset = soomlased = the Finns
sää, ilma = ilm = weather
sääennuste = ilmaennustus = weather forecast
Sääennuste lupasi sadekuuroja = Ennustati hoovihma = Rain showers to be expected
sääkartta = ilmakaart = weather map
sään ennustaminen = ilmaennustamine = weather forecasting
tietokone = arvuti =computer
tämän viikon loppupuolella = selle nädala lõpul  = by the end of this week
tämän viikon sää = selle nädala ilm = the weather this week, this week's weather
viimeisimmän sääennusteen mukaan = praeguste ilmaennustuste kohaselt = according to the latest weather forecast

Pirita Adventure Park

Photo taken from Valgeranna Seikluspark

Do your kids like climbing trees? If they are 115cm+ and you have 2-3 hours to spend, then head for the newly opened Pirita Seikluspark! Open daily 10am to 10pm. Here is how Postimees tells about the park (fully translated below, but  please do check the encompassing vocabulary below):

Kokku on seikluspargis kuus puudele ehitatud kõrgseiklusrada, mis kõik lõpevad pika ahviraudteega. Rajad arendavad lastes loovust ja osavust. Puudel liikudes tuleb kasutada erinevaid abivahendeid ja leida parim võimalus ühelt platvormilt teisele liikumiseks. Kohati 10 meetri kõrgusel kulgevad rajad pakuvad närvikõdi ja eneseületamisrõõmu ka täiskasvanutele.
Vanusepiirangut ei ole, ronimisega saavad algust teha lapsed, kel pikkust vähemalt 115 sentimeetrit. Järgmiseks suveks saab valmis ka mudilaste seikluspark. Lisaks seiklusele pakub park metsikut looduslikku keskkonda, palju rohelust ja rannarajalt avanevaid imelisi vaateid Tallinna lahele. 

Pirita Seikluspark on avatud iga päev aprillist oktoobrini.

There are altogether six tree adventure courses in the adventure park, which all end up in a long zip-line. The courses develop children's creativity and abilities. In order to move between the trees, you need to use different appliances and find the best alternative to get from one platform to the next. The courses - some of which are at 10 meters height - offer suspense and self-transcending joy even for adults.

There is no age limit. Climbing is allowed for children who are at least 115 cm tall. A toddler adventure park will be completed by next summer. 

On top of the adventure, the park offers a wild, natural environment, lots of greenery, and on the coastal course a wonderful view (opens up) over the Bay of Tallinn.

Pirita Adventure Park is open daily from April thru October.

And the price? Adults 19€, youngsters 15€ (June 2013)

To have a taste of zip lining, 

check this Youtube-video:

 Zipline adventure in Puerto Rico 

(10:36) 

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
aikuinen= täiskasvanud = adult
apina = ahv = monkey
apuväline = abivahend = aid, appliance 
avoinna joka päivä = avatud iga päev = open daily
ensi kesäksi = järgmiseks suveks = for next summer
ikäraja = vanusepiir = age limit
ikärajaa ei ole = vanusepiirangut ei ole = there is no age limit
itsensä ylittäminen = eneseületamine = self-excellence, self-trancendence
jännitys = närvikõdi = titillation, suspense
kaiken kaikkiaan, yhteensä = kokku = altogether
kiipeily = ronimine = climbing
kiivetä = ronida = to climb
kuuden puun varaan rakennettu rata = kuus puudele ehitatud rada = six trees 
köysiliukurata = ahviraudtee = zip-line, zip line, aerial ropeslide
luonnollinen = looduslik = natural
löytää paras vaihtoehto= leida parim võimalus = to find the best alternative
paikoittain = kohati = in (some) places, here and there
pikkulapsi = mudilane = toddler
pikkulasten seikkailupuisto = mudilaste seikluspark = toddler adventure park
rantapolku = rannarada= coastal course
rata = rada = course, trail
seikkailun lisäksi = lisaks seiklusele = on top of the adventure
seikkailupuisto = seikluspark = adventure park
taito = osavus = skill, ability
upea näkymä = imeline vaade = wonderful view 
vehreys = rohelus = green, greenery
villi = metsik = wild
ympäristö = keskkond = environment, surroundings

Web Cam at West Harbor

Did you know that Port of Helsinki has installed web cameras in all its harbors - so anybody can have a look at the harbor view and which ships are entering and/or leaving? And since this blog concerns itself with Helsinki & Tallinn, we are mainly interested in the camera at the West Harbor, i.e. Länsisatama. Nevertheless, all the web cams are to be found in Port of Helsinki pages. You can download Port of Helsinki app from App Store or Google Play to view webcams and arrival times on your mobile device.

The West Harbor web cam link is on the blog right - this neat thing will be a permanent fixture on the front page. You can also have a look at - from different angles - the Länsisatama parking area. 

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
joka tapauksessa = igal juhul = nevertheless
ladata = laadida = to download
pysäköintialue = parkimiskoht = parking area
saapumisaika = saabumisaeg = arrival time
webbikamera = veebikaamera = web camera

Helsinki Day 2013

It is June the 12th and Helsinki Day today! Like always, a lot of things to partake in and look at (check this link) all around the town! One of them, a drama walk at the city center takes you through Finnish history - a bit like the blog article Helsinki Statue Walk. You can rent a bicycle for free at Kamppi, watch Helsinki voluntary fire brigades competing at Hakaniemi, listen to music in many places around the town, and enjoy numerous other activities. Be sure to check that first link and enjoy your day! Hopefully it won't rain too much!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
Helsinki-päivä = Helsingi päev = Helsinki Day
musiikki = muusika = music
palokunta =  tuletõrjet  = fire brigade
polkupyörä = jalgratas = bicycle
sataa = sadada = to rain
vapaaehtoinen = vabatahtlik = voluntary

Fully booked

Going to Tallinn or Helsinki and the ferry is fully booked? No worry, there is still hope! Ask if you can have a järjekorranumber, and remember to tell how many you need (usually one per person). 

About half an hour before the ship leaves, there will be kuulutus in the terminal loudspeakers about the possible available places*. Be sure to have your passport & means of payment ready as time is of the essence now! The queue numbers will be lower than those in the picture for sure, but still -  it is always a good idea to book your journey in advance. Then you are guaranteed a place and at a (more) reasonable price as well.

*Most terminals have this type of system.

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
etukäteen = ette, enne (midagi, kedagi) = in advance
Haluatteko jonotusnumeron? = Kas te soovite järjekorranumbrit? = Would you like to have a queue number?
jono = järjekord = queue
jonotusnumero  = järjekorranumber = queue number
kohtuuhintaan = mõistliku hinna eest, vastuvõetava hinnaga = at a reasonable price
kovaääniset = valjuhääldi = loudspeakers
kuulutus = kuulutus = announcement
kuvassa =  pildis = in the picture
Laiva on loppuunmyyty = Laev on väljamüüdud  = The ship is fully booked
loppuunmyyty = väljamüüdud = sold out, fully booked, booked solid
maksuvälineet = maksmisvahendid = means of payment
matkan varaaminen = reisi broneerimine = booking a trip
Meillä ei ole vapaita paikkoja = Meil ei ole koht = We don't have any places vacant
paikka = koht = place, vacancy
puolisen tuntia ennen = umbes pool tundi enne =  about half an hour before
Varatkaa matkanne mielellään etukäteen = Palun tehke broneering varem valmis = Please, do book your trip in advance
varata matka = reisi broneerida = to book a journey
Vielä on toivoa = Veel on lootust  = There is still hope

Friday Phrase 15

 Are you mayhaps  one of those people who are always late? Wherever you go? To a meeting, a job interview, aboard a ship? Have you  heard the expression "Time and tide wait for no man"? Time is of the essence.  Life will not wait either - even if you may be offered opportunities to catch up. People will not bother to wait to hear your excuses. Things will not wait for you when you are late, and even the tiniest ship will leave without you if you are - late. The blog's next article will be about just that...

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
aika = aeg = time
Aika rientää = Aeg lendab = Time flies = Tempus fugit (Lat.)
Aikaa ei ole paljon = Aeg on sisuliselt = Time is of the essence
Aikaa ei voi pysäyttää =  Time and tide wait for no man
Anteeksi, että olen myöhässä = Vabandage, et ma hilinesin = Excuse me for being late
myöhässä = hilinenud = late
nousu- ja laskuvesi = (merevee) tõus ja mõõn = tide
Se on vain tekosyy = See on lihtsalt ettekääne = That's just an excuse
selitys, tekosyy = vabandus, ettekääne = excuse (for being late)
tapaaminen = miiting, koosolek =  meeting, date
tilaisuus, mahdollisuus = võimalus = opportunity, chance
työhaastattelu = tööintervjuu, töövestlus = job interview

Onboard & offboard



Port side of the M/S Tallink Star

Let's get familiar - in the three blog languages - with ships! Do you know for example what the front of a ship is called - or the right side (seen from the rear)?

You might also want to know that at night, the port (left) side of a vessel is indicated with a red navigation light and the starboard (right) side (yes, there's your answer!) with a green one. This is of course to indicate for other ships how the ship lies, but may also be of interest for anyone standing on deck at night looking out at the sea - which everybody should do at least once in a lifetime!


Autokansi - Autotekk - Car deck

Car deck is of course to transport cars and other vehicles aboard the ship. "Other vehicles" mean e.g. trucks, trailers, lorries, buses, vans, motorbikes and bicycles. Some car decks provide electrical outlets. Passengers need of course to vacate the car deck  during the voyage, but you can usually leave your pet in the car if the trip is short enough - summertime with a window open, and a water bowl nearby.

 

This picture was taken from inside the bow of  M/S Superstar just entering the Port of Tallinn. Port here means of course the harbor area and not the ship's port, i.e. its left side. The port of Tallinn consists of several harbors, one of which is the D-terminal where this particular ship enters. Read more about the harbors here.

A passenger ship has cabins of all sorts and sizes. Cabin is a must with overnight trips, and handy on a shorter trip, especially returning home from a day-cruise.
 


Last but not the least - the first part of a ship that touches the water as the ship moves forward - the bulb. Sometimes submerged and unseen. It is there to reduce the ship's drag, and thus increase speed, fuel efficiency and stability. It does of course break the ice a bit as well, but that is not its primary function. Bon voyage!

 

 

laivasanasto = laevasõnastik = ship vocabulary
bulbi, keulapaksunnos = bulb, bulbous bow
hytti = kajut = cabin
kansi = tekk = deck
keskiosa = midships
keula = bow (the forward part of the hull of a ship)
keula = prow (the part of the bow above the waterline)
laita = parras = board
laiva = laev = ship, ferry
paapuuri (aluksen perästä eteenpäin katsoen vasen laita) = pakpoord = port
perä (ulkoa katsottuna) = pära = stern (the rearmost part of a ship seen from outside, i.e. offboard)
perä (sisältä katsottuna) = ahter = aft (the rearmost part of a ship seen from outside, i.e. onboard)
potkuri = sõukruvi, laevakruvi = propeller
runko = kere = hull
tyyrpuuri (aluksen perästä eteenpäin katsoen oikea laita) = tüürpoord = starboard

Estonian visitors in Finland

The distance between Tallinn and Helsinki is a mere 83 kilometers. This plus the fact that many Estonians work in Finland makes for lots of trips between the two cities by Estonians. Or as Postimees wrote on the subject the other day:

"Eesti elanikud käisid eelmisel aastal Soomes 758 000 korral, mis on seitse protsenti enam kui 2011. aastal ning moodustab kümnendiku kõikidest Soomes käivatest turistidest, teatas Soome statistikaamet. Kõige enam käis Soomes turiste Venemaalt (3,58 miljonit), teisel kohal on eestlased ja kolmandal kohal rootslased (0,7 miljonit turisti)."

Anything there you didn't understand?

Consult the vocabulary below :)

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
eestiläiset/virolaiset = Eesti elanikud, eestlased = Estonian residents
etäisyys = distants = distance
ja = ning = and
kaikista Suomessa käyneistä turisteista = kõikidest Soomes käivatest turistidest = of all the tourists visiting Finland
kaikkein eniten = kõige enam = most (visitors)
kolmannella sijalla = kolmandal kohal = in third place
kymmenesosa = kümnendik = one tenth
käydä = käia/käima = to visit, go to
mikä on = mis on = which is
muodostaa = moodustab = makes (for)
ruotsalaiset = rootslased = the Swedes
seitsemän prosenttia enemmän kuin = seitse protsenti enam kui = seven percents more than
Suomen tilastokeskus = Soome statistikaamet = Statistics Finland
Suomessa = Soomes = in Finland
tiedottaa = teatada = to report
toisella sijalla = teisel kohal = in second place
turisti = turist = tourist
Venäjä = Venemaa = Russia
viime vuonna = eelmisel aastal = last year
vuosi = aasta = year

conjugation of "käydä = käia = to visit, go to"
Present tense: FIN: käyn, käyt, käy, käymme, käytte, käyvät =
                       EST: käin, käid, käib, käime, käite, käivad = I visit, you visit, etc
Past tense:      FIN: kävin, kävit, kävi, kävimme, kävitte, kävivät
                       EST: käisin, käisid, käis, käisime, käisite, käisid = I visited, you visited, etc

Pancakes in Tallinn

Are you fond of pancakes and have some time and euros to spend in Tallinna Vanalinn? Then head for the legendary pancake house called Kompressor! A few steps from Raekoja Plats you will find the street Voorimehe, which takes you to one of  the longest streets in Vanalinn, Pikk. Turn there left and after just a few meters you will see the (rather  unnoticable) entrance to Kompressor at Rataskaevu 3.

 

Get in, grab a menu and take a seat. Go through all the numerous options. Whether you want something sweet or something salty, rest assured that one pancake is enough for most of us since the pancakes come with ample filling! Prices vary, but most pannkoogid are around 4,50 € (May 2013).

When you have decided what you want, go and pay at the counter. Be prepared to wait for a quite a while for your pancake if the place is jammed -  which it often is. Kompressor is well-known among young adults, and the entrance reflects this as well as there are posters and adds to different events in the city.

After Kompressor you may want to climb - with renewed energy - the Pikk jalg towards Toompea for a nice view of Tallinn! Directions: leaving Kompressor turn right, then after a few meters, sharp left!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
hinnat vaihtelevat = prices vary
lätty, lettu, ohukainen = pannkook = pancake
lätyt, letut, ohukaiset = pannkoogid = pancakes
makea = magus = sweet 
Pidätkö letuista? = Kas sulle maitsevad pannkoogid? = Are you fond of pancakes?
suolainen = soolane = salty
voit olla varma, että  = võid kindel olla =  rest assured that... 
useimmille meistä = enamikel meist = for most of us
yksi lettu riittää = ühest pannkoogist piisab = one pancake is enough
 

Icehockey in Helsinki

Helsinki. The IIHF Icehockey World Championships 2013. Now being played in Helsinki (and in Stockholm)! And although there are still tickets to buy, don't count on getting istumapaikka in the host country Finland's matches as this sports is extremely popular over here. There has been lots of upsets already , and more are likely to come. Mitaliottelut will be played in Stockholm - kultamitaliottelu on Sunday May 19th!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
istumapaikka = istekoht = seat
isäntämaa = host country
joukkue = meeskond = team
jääkiekko,"lätkä" = jäähoki, hoki = icehockey, hockey
Kansainvälinen jääkiekkoliitto = Rahvusvaheline Jäähokiliit = International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
kulta = kuld = gold
kultamitaliottelu = kuldmedalimäng = gold medal match
maailmanmestaruuskisat = maailmameistrivõistlused = world championships
mitaliottelut = pronksimäng + finaal = medal matches
ottelu = võistlus = match
peli = mäng = game
pääsylippu = sissepääsupilet = entrance ticket
semifinaalit = poolfinaalid = semifinals
sunnuntaina = pühapäeval = on Sunday
toukokuu = mai = May
Tukholma = Stockholm = Stockholm
yllätys = üllatus, ootamatus = upset, surprising turnout

Friday Phrase 14

How do you suppose that All roads lead to Rome? Well, they used to! Even the tiniest roads lead to a bigger road (and maybe an even bigger road) that lead to Rome. These days this fine phrase is used when we want to tell that it is okay to make your own, different decisions about a matter since in the end it will all be fine - you will be where you want to be, where you need to be. For Kaikki tiet vievät Roomaan. Kõik teed viivad Rooma. Believe it.

To see how this phrase translates into some other languages, click here. And in Latin? Omnes viae Romam ducunt.

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
erilainen = erinev = different
kaikki tiet = kõik teed = all roads
lopussa = lõpus = in the end
nykyään = tänapäeval = these days, nowadays
pienimmätkin tiet = even the tiniest roads
ratkaisu = otsus = decision
Rooma = Rooma = Rome
suoraan = otse = directly
tie = tee = road
uskoa = uskuda = to believe
viedä, johtaa = viia = to lead
(Fin: vien, viet, vie, viemme, viette, vievät)
(Est: viin, viib, vii, viime, viite, viivad) = I lead, you lead, etc.

May Day in Finland

May Day is known in Finland as Vappu. It used to be celebrated as the International Working Day, a bit like today's Labor Day in the United States. But not so anymore. These days, especially on May Day Eve, it is a carnival-style festivity where people merely have fun and at the same time - weather permitting - have a fine opportunity to welcome the summer in city parks. In Helsinki perhaps the most prominent part of this celebration is the 'crowning' of Havis Amanda by students with a white student cap. And most everyone who owns one - regardless of age - crowns his or her own head with it. The white student cap used to be the mark of the working class people about to improve their social status. 

Vappu is also a day of special treats. Many Finns brew a drink called sima - made from lemons, brown sugar and yeast (and containing just a little alcohol so that even children are allowed to drink it). Sold in stores as well. We also make munkkeja and - to a lesser degree - tippaleipiä - crispy pastries fried in oil made from liquid doughnut dough. So if you wish to take part in the celebration, just get yourself a nice ilmapallo, wrap yourself in serpentiini and holler

            Hauskaa vappua!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
ikään katsomatta = vanusest sättumusest = regardless of age
ilmapallo = õhupall = balloon
kesä = suvi = summer
munkki = sõõrik = doughnut
nykyään = praegusel ajal, tänapäeval = these days, nowadays
serpentiini = a kind of confetti, strings of colorful paper packed in rolls
sima = drink made from lemons, brown sugar and yeast
tippaleipä = crispy pastry made from liquid doughnut dough and fried in oil 
Vappu = volbripäev = May Day
vappuaatto = May Day Eve
vastaanottaa kesä = to welcome summer
vähemmässä määrin = vähemal määral = to a lesser degree
Yhdysvallat = Ameerika ühendriigid = The United States
ylioppilas = üliõpilane = student
ylioppilaslakki = student cap

Told by the birds

Kiuru-Põldlõoke-Skylark

There is a nice Finnish rhyme about the expectance of summer, after the long, long winter and long-awaited spring. It is based on the arrival of the migratory birds in Finland, and it goes like this:

Kuu kiurusta kesään
Üks kuu põldlõokest suveni
A month till summer from (the arrival of) Skylark

Peipponen-Metsvint-Chaffinch

puoli kuuta peipposesta 
kaks nädalat metsvindist
a fortnight from Chaffinch




västäräkistä vähäsen 

Västäräkki-Västrik-Wagtail

natukene västrikust
a wee bit more from Wagtail

Pääskynen-Pääsuke-Swallow

pääskysestä ei päivääkään. 
mitte päevagi pääsukesest.
but not a day from Swallow.

Tervetuloa kesä!  
Teretulemast suvi! 
Welcome summer!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
ei päivääkään = mitte päevagi = not one (single) day
kauan odotettu = kauaoodatud = long-awaited
kesä, suvi = suvi = summer 
kesän odotus = expectance of summer, looking forward to summer
kevät = kevad = spring
kiuru, leivonen = põldlõoke = (the Eurasian) Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
kuu, kuukausi =  kuu = month
muuttolinnut = rändlinnud = migratory birds
peippo, peipponen = metsvint = the Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
puoli kuuta = kaks nädalat = fortnight
pääsky, pääskynen =  pääsuke = swallow, martin (fam. Hirundinidae)
saapuminen, tulo = saabumine = arrival
syksy = sügis = autumn, fall
talvi = talv = winter
vähäsen = natukene = a little bit
västäräkki = linavästrik =  the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Friday Phrase 13

Tällä kertaa the Friday Phrase goes light. Most of you may know the program Candid Camera, and how the host (e.g. Peter Funt)  always says the same phrase at the end: Smile - you're on Candid Camera! We have all smiled at the embarrassing or naljakas situations the unsuspecting "victims" are exposed to. In Finland we know the program by "Hymyile, olet piilokamerassa!", and in Estonia "Naeratage, te olete varjatud kaameras!" Which ever camera you are on, and no matter what the culture or language, we people are prone to laugh at more or less the same things. Cheers to that! Here is one funny video!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
avomielinen, suora, vilpitön = avameelne, siiras = candid
enemmän tai vähemmän = rohkem või vähem = more or less
hauska = naljakas = funny
Hymyilkää = Naeratage = Smile! (pl.)
juontaja = saatejuht = host
nauraa = naerda = to laugh
nolo = piinlik = embarrassing
nolo tilanne = piinlik olukord = an embarrassing situation
ohjelma = programm = program
(sinä) olet = sina oled = you are (sing.)
(te) olette = te olete = you are (pl.)
pahaa-aavistamaton = pahaaimamatu = unsuspecting
piilokamera = varjatud kaamera = candid camera
tällä kertaa = seekord = this time around
uhri = ohver = victim