head jaanipäeva
The English phrase "happy midsummer" is translated into Estonian as head jaanipäeva.
head jaanipäeva is a greeting used to wish someone a joyful Midsummer celebration. You may see it capitalized as Head jaanipäeva! when used at the beginning of a sentence or as a standalone greeting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of head, meaning "good" and jaanipäeva, meaning "Midsummer's Day".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word jaanipäeva is in the partitive case, which is the standard case used after the adjective head in greetings.
Did you know?
- It is a custom to leave a seven-flower bouquet under one's pillow on jaanipäev to dream of a future spouse.
- The phrase head jaanipäeva is used during a time when the sun barely sets, creating 'white nights' where the light lasts almost twenty four hours.
- When wishing someone head jaanipäeva, you might see them lighting massive bonfires. These fires are traditionally built in the shape of a woman or a cross to ward off evil spirits.
Examples in context
- Head jaanipäeva!Happy Midsummer!
- Kõigile head jaanipäeva!Happy Midsummer to everyone!
Example conversation
Two colleagues are leaving the office for the holiday.
- ToomasHead jaanipäeva, Kadi!Happy Midsummer, Kadi!
- KadiTänks, Toomas! Sulle ka head jaanipäeva.Thanks, Toomas! Happy Midsummer to you too.
- ToomasKas sa lähed loodusesse?Are you going into nature?
- KadiJah, ma lähen sõprate juurde.Yes, I am going to my friends'.
