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