Vannake

Vannake is an Estonian noun meaning a small bath or baby bath tub. It is formed as a diminutive from vann (bath) using the suffix -ke, yielding the sense “little bath.”

In contemporary usage, vannake typically refers to a compact tub used for bathing infants or small pets, or to a small basin kept for washing in a limited space. The term can also appear in casual speech to describe any small, portable bathing container. While common in everyday language, vannake is less likely to be found in formal or technical registers.

Etymology and form: vannake is a diminutive noun built from vann with the diminutive suffix -ke, a productive pattern in Estonian that conveys small size or endearment. The word thus literally translates to “little bath.”

Related terms include vann (bath) and vannituba (bathroom), which provide broader semantic fields for talking about bathing and related facilities.

Notes: Diminutives like vannake are common in Estonian and can convey nuance such as size, familiarity, or informality. Their usage tends to be more frequent in spoken language and domestic contexts.