Vihjed

Vihjed is the Estonian noun for hints, clues, or tips. The singular form is vihje, and the plural form is vihjed. In everyday use, a vihje is information intended to help someone solve a problem, understand a concept, or complete a task without delivering the full solution. The term is common in education, publishing, games, and user interfaces where hints guide progress.

Origin and linguistic notes: Vihje is a native Estonian word. The concept has cognates in other Finnic languages, such as Finnish vihje, which also means hint or clue, reflecting shared linguistic heritage. The exact historical etymology within Estonian is not widely documented, but vihje is established as a standard lexeme in modern usage.

Usage and contexts: In schools, teachers may provide vihjed to support struggling students. In puzzles and games, vihjed help players advance when they are stuck. In digital contexts, vihje can appear as tooltips or in-game hints that reveal partial information to assist the user without giving away the full answer. The term covers both formal guidance and informal suggestions exchanged in conversation.

See also: Hint, clue, tip; Finnish vihje. The concept is widely understood in Estonian-speaking contexts as a brief pointer designed to assist rather than replace effort.