The first two examples reflect our reluctance as Estonians to exaggerate or be effusive in our approvals.
ÜLE PRAHI: Simply translated, it’s ‘better than rubbish’. ‘Üle prahi’ is actually high praise. It’s in sync with our rare use of use of hyberbole. “Less is more” is our style.
ÄGE: It means ‘fierce’. But in current usage it’s also a way to praise. It’s more emphatic than ‘üle prahi’ but also doesn’t exaggerate. ” “The party was fierce” (“Pidu oli äge”) is energetic compared to a saccharine “the party was wonderful’ or disingenuous ”amazing”.
SÜNNIPÄEVA NÄDALALÕPU PÄRASTLÕUNAVÄSIMUS: It translates to ‘afternoon tiredness from weekend birthday party’. It’s an elegant way of gauging one’s hangover. If you can pronounce it, you’re slowly recovering.
