You might think it is a bit odd that a distinguished language app such as Ling should debase itself with a blog on some of the worst Estonian swear words imaginable. But as a leading language learning tool, we feel it is important to delve into all aspects of language, and swear words are an incredibly important, indeed integral aspect, of any language and culture and it is no different in Estonian culture.
That’s why we’ve built this article to show the not-so-good side of the Estonian language. Because a language is not made only by swear words, our Ling blog is filled with other topics about the Estonian language where we teach and show you the good side of this beautiful language. Don’t forget to check it out!
Estonian Swear Words, Phrases, And Colloquialisms
So let’s kick off with a list, in no particular order, of some of the fruitiest Estonian swear words and phrases:
| English | Estonian |
| oh shit, oh fuck, oh damn | kurat |
| damn it, fuck you | kurat võtku |
| what the hell | mida kuradit |
| devil | saatan |
| to piss | kusema |
| go into ass (go to hell) | mine persse |
| fuck off | mine vittu |
| to fuck | nikkuma |
| piss | kusi |
| rotted (damn) | raisk |
| shit | sitt |
| to shit | sittuma |
| vagina | vitt |
| lazy | munema |
| lazy | munema |
| I’m pissed off | kuraaddii kurat |
| oh damn | kuradi kurat |
| (a) drunk | muna joodik |
| ass | perse |
| I don’t care/give a fuck | mind ei koti |
| don’t fuck with me | ära nussi minuga |
| bitch | lits |
| whore | hoor |
| go and fuck yourself | mine ja keppi ennast |
| fuck off, get lost | tõmba nahhui |
| dork | jobu |
| fuck you | keri persse |
| idiot | oinas |
| piss off | peksa pihku |
| asshole | perseauk |
| asshole | persevest |
| fucker | raibe |
| shit head | sitapea |
| prick | türa |
| dickhead | türapea |
Estonia’s #1 Swear Word To Learn
Right, now that’s out of the way, let’s take a look at Estonia’s most common swear word and how to properly use it.
Kurat
The very first word on our list, kurat is probably the most common and versatile of the Estonian curses. Kurat translates into English as damn, shit, or fuck. Quite a few of the words and phrases on our list use kurat or kuradi in conjunction with other words to give those phrases a bit more spice.
Originally, kurat literally meant devil, but like all the best swear words has come to evince so much more. Like the word fuck in the English language, kurat is endlessly versatile. It can be used to express mild irritation, for example, if you drop something you might utter kurat under your breath, pick that something up, and get on with your life.
Or you might bellow kurat! at the top of your voice over and over after you stub your toe on that annoying bit of the bed, you endlessly forget sticks out just that little bit too far.
Estonians will use kurat if they are late for a meeting or stuck in traffic. They will say kurat when the opposing team scores a goal or they walk into a room and forget why they are there. Kurat is ubiquitous and you will probably hear it in its many intonations all over the place when you visit Estonia.
Kuradi
Kuradi is a modification of kurat and becoming the genitive case is akin to the English bloody or fucking. So you might hear an Estonian say the kuradi train is running late, or next-door’s kuradi dog just took another kuradi sitt on our kuradi lawn again. I kuradi hate that kuradi dog!
Kuradit
Taking the partitive case kurat becomes kuradit and can be used to indicate astonishment at a situation. For example, what the kuradit are you doing wearing my kuradi best shirt again, you kuradi kurat?
Swearing Is A Sign Of Intelligence
It was once thought that people who swear lack the vocabulary, intelligence, and ability to properly express themselves through language. However, this has been debunked and numerous studies have shown that those who have a well-stocked mental library of swear words at their disposal are more, not less, likely to have greater verbal fluency.
Swearing allows us to convey emotion, make a situation funny, and become more linguistically versatile. It can also be used to hurt and, when habitual, become boring. However, who doesn’t remember the thrill as a child of hearing their first taboo words and experiencing a thrill? Used properly a few well-placed swear words add color to language. Take these Estonian phrases for example:
Kukkugu sul munn magades otsast, or May your dick fall off while you are asleep.
Ma hüppan sulle palja tagumikuga näkku, or I will jump on your face with my naked arse.
Swearing As Pain Relief
The benefits of having a good swear are seemingly endless. In a recent experiment, a group of volunteers was asked to hold their hands in a bucket of ice-cold water while repeating swear words. They were then asked to do the same experiment while repeating neutral, non-swear words. Yep, you guessed it, while swearing the subjects were able to hold their hands in the ice water longer, the experience was less painful and their heart rates rose higher than when they were repeating the neutral words.
Use Ling To Help You Become More Creative In Estonian
The Ling App will not only help increase the vocabulary you have to hand in the language of your choice but will teach you how to command it through a range of interactive activities such as quizzes and games. Ling is available for you to download to your mobile device now at App Store and Google Play, so what the kurat are you waiting for?
