Estonian - Estone

Introduction

Spread of Estonian in Europe

Estonian language as a majority language

Estonian language as a minority language

Estonian (Eesti keel in Estonian) is a language of the Finno-Ugric language family of which, at least in Europe, also the Finnish and theHungarian. The fact of belonging to this family, unlike the vast majority of European languages that belongs to the Indo-European lineage, is the cause of the evident diversity of this language from all the others and a cause of despair for Europeans who try to learn it. The lexicon is almost totally foreign to other European languages and the few borrowings are so disguised that they are no longer recognizable.

Today Estonian is spoken by around one and a half million people in Estonia and in neighboring regions and is mutually intelligible with Finnish. Learning Estonian for a trip to Estonia is not at all necessary as almost all of the inhabitants speak at least English, sometimes even English. Russian. However, if you decide to also visit villages in the Estonian countryside where English is less widespread, some basic phrases will be useful, not to mention the fact that you will be able to impress your Estonian interlocutors (not at all accustomed to hearing foreigners speak their language ) and you will receive an enthusiastic welcome.

One last little note to begin with: even if there are forms of courtesy (the you, as in English), in Estonian they are never used. If you do not want to be taken as a snob, you should always and immediately give the you.

A little grammar

If we want to classify Estonian, it is an agglutinative language, just like Turkish. This means that it adds a suffix to the words to express the various functions that we would express with prepositions. In this way we obtain grammatical cases, roughly like in Latin or Russian. Unique, pleasant, difference is that while these languages (Latin or Russian) distinguish declensions and genres, Estonian does not. Learned the 15 suffixes (there are many cases in Estonian) you can add them to any word and we will get the various meanings. So for example:

raamat = book
raamat-u = of the book (genitive)
raamat-u-t = "one of the books", a (partitive) book
raamat-u-lle = to the book
raamat-u-s = in the book ...

In addition to the cases, Estonian has a fairly simple grammar with regard to nouns, as it does not distinguish either a masculine or a feminine or even a neuter. Adjectives and anything else following or preceding the noun should only be accorded by putting the same suffix as the noun.

Pronunciation guide

The Estonian alphabet is made up of 24 letters of the Latin alphabet, to which are added some others (c, q, w, x, y, z, š and ž) which appear only in borrowings from other languages. of pronunciation, unlike grammar, Estonian is pronounced exactly as it is written, without any exception. The role of vowels is very important, present in abundant quantities (sometimes even 4 or 5 in a row). A concept that must be dealt with in Estonian as in all Baltic languages is the vowel quantity, or how long the vowels are made to last. In Estonian there are three quantities: short (one vowel), long (two vowels), ultralong or hyperlong (also indicated with two vowels). Wrong quantities can lead to misunderstandings! Ex: yestoda = hundred (short), saada = to send (long), saato = receive (ultra-long, approximately 3 times our normal a).

Vowels

to: to
is: is
the: i
or: or
u: u
ü: iu
to: is
or: is the only typical Estonian sound. It is a very closed "o" pronounced, without round the lips.

Consonants

b: b
d: d
f: f
g: gh
h: as in English, it corresponds to an aspiration
j: like the "i" in "yesterday"
k: k
L: L
m: m
n: n
p: p
r: r
s: s
t: t
v: v

Other notes on pronunciation

As already said before, a central role in Estonian is represented by vowels. Consequently the consonants are all pronounced much weaker than in Italian and tend to be all deaf (the "b" is pronounced as a "p", the "d" as a "t" and so on).

The accent is fixed on the first syllable.

Basic

Basic words

Yup : Ja (pron.:ia)
No : Ei (pron.:ei)
Help : ( )
Attention : ( )
You are welcome : Palun (pron .: palun)
Thank you : Tänan (pron.: tenan)
Do not mention it : ( )
No problem : ( )
Unfortunately : ( )
Here : ( )
There / there : ( )
When? : ( )
Thing? : ( )
Where is it? : ( )
Why? : ( )

Signs

Welcome : ( )
Open : ( )
Closed : ( )
Entry : ( )
Exit : ( )
To push : ( )
Pull : ( )
Toilet : ( )
Free : ( )
Busy : ( )
Men : ( )
Women : ( )
Forbidden : ( )
Smoking prohibited : ( )

Hello : Tere (pron .: ter)
Good morning : Tere päeva (pron .: tere peava)
Good evening : ( )
Good night : ( )
How are you? : Kuidas läheb? (pron.:kuidas la-heb?)
Fine thanks : Hästi, aitäh (pron .: Esti, aiteh)
And you? : ja s (in) a? (pron.:ja s (in) a?)
What's your name? : Mis on sinu nimi? (pron.:misson sinu nimi?)
My name is _____ : Minu nimi on ____ (pron.:minu nimi on ____)
Nice to meet you : Väga meeldiv (pron.:vega meeldiv)
Where do you live? : Kus sa elad? (pron.:Kus sa elad?)
I live in _____ : Ma elan ______s (pron .: But elan _____s)
Where do you come from? : Kust sa on pärit? (pron.:Kust sa on perit?)
How old are you / are you? : ( )
Excuse me (permission) : Vabandage (pron .: Vabandage)
Excuse me! (asking for forgiveness) : Vabanda (pron .: Vabanda)
As he said? : ( )
I'm sorry : Vabandust (pron .: Vabandust)
See you later : Nägemiseni (pron .: Neghemiseni)
See you soon : ( )
We feel! : ( )
I don't speak your language well : Ma ei räägi palju eesti keelt (pron.:Ma ei reeghi palju eesti keelt)
I speak _____ : Ma räägin _____ (pron.:Ma reeghin ______)
Is there anyone speaking _____? : Kas on keegi siin kes räägib ____ (pron.:Kas on cheeghi siin kes reeghib ____)
- ...Italian : itaalia keelt (pron.:itaalia keelt)
- ...English : ( )
- ...Spanish : ( )
- ...French : ( )
- ...German : ( )
Can you speak slower? : ( )
Could you repeat that? : ( )
What does it mean? : ( )
I do not know : ( )
I do not understand : ( )
How do you say _____? : ( )
Can you spell it for me? : ( )
Where is the toilette? : ( )

Emergency

Authority

I've lost my purse : ( )
I've lost my wallet : ( )
I was robbed : ( )
The car was parked in the street ... : ( )
I haven't done anything wrong : ( )
It was a misunderstanding : ( )
Where are you taking me? : ( )
Am I under arrest? : ( )
I am an Italian citizen : ( )
I want to speak to a lawyer : ( )
Can I pay the fine now? : ( )

On the telephone

Ready : ( )
A moment : ( )
I dialed the wrong number : ( )
Stay online : ( )
Sorry if I disturb, but : ( )
I'll call back : ( )

Safety

leave me alone : ( )
Do not touch me! : ( )
I'll call the police : ( )
Where is the police station? : ( )
Police! : ( )
Stop! Thief! : ( )
I need your help : ( )
I'm lost : ( )

Health

It's an emergency : ( )
I feel bad : ( )
I am hurt : ( )
Call an ambulance : ( )
It hurts here : ( )
I have fever : ( )
Should I stay in bed? : ( )
I need a doctor : ( )
May I use the phone? : ( )
I am allergic to antibiotics : ( )

Transportation

At the airport

Could I have a ticket to _____? : ( )
When does the plane leave for _____? : ( )
Where does it stop? : ( )
Stops at _____ : ( )
Where does the bus to / from the airport leave from? : ( )
How much time do I have for check-in? : ( )
Can I take this bag as hand luggage? : ( )
Does this bag weigh too much? : ( )
What is the maximum weight allowed? : ( )
Go to exit number _____ : ( )

Bus and Train

How much is the ticket for _____? : ( )
A ticket to ..., please : ( )
I would like to change / cancel this ticket : ( )
Where is this train / bus headed? : ( )
Where does the train to _____ leave from? : ( )
Which platform / stop? : ( )
Does this train stop at _____? : ( )
When does the train leave for _____? : ( )
When does the bus arrive in _____? : ( )
Can you tell me when to get off? : ( )
Sorry, I booked this place : ( )
Is this seat free? : ( )

Taxi

Taxi : ( )
Take me to _____, please : ( )
How much does it cost up to _____? : ( )
Take me there, please : ( )
Taximeter : ( )
Turn on the meter, please! : ( )
Stop here, please! : ( )
Wait here a moment, please! : ( )

To drive

I would like to rent a car : ( )
One way street : ( )
No parking : ( )
Speed limit : ( )
Gas station : ( )
Petrol : ( )
Diesel : ( )
Traffic light : ( )
Street : ( )
Square : ( )
Pavements : ( )
Driver : ( )
Pedestrian : ( )
Pedestrian crossing : ( )
Overtaking : ( )
Fine : ( )
Deviation : ( )
Toll : ( )
Border crossing : ( )
Border : ( )
Customs : ( )
Declare : ( )
Identity card : ( )
Driving license : ( )

Orient yourself

How do i get to _____? : ( )
How far away ... : ( )
- ...The train station? : ( )
- ... the bus station? : ( )
- ...the airport? : ( )
- ...the center? : ( )
- ... the hostel? : ( )
- ... the hotel _____? : ( )
- ... the Italian consulate? : ( )
- ... the hospital? : ( )
Where there are many ... : ( )
- ... hotel? : ( )
- ... restaurants? : ( )
- ...Cafe? : ( )
- ...places to visit? : ( )
Can you point me on the map? : ( )
Turn left : ( )
Turn right : ( )
Straight ahead : ( )
To _____ : ( )
Passing through _____ : ( )
Front _____ : ( )
Pay attention to _____ : ( )
Crossroad : ( )
North : ( )
South : ( )
East : ( )
West : ( )
Upward : ( )
Over there : ( )

Hotel

You have a free room? : ( )
What is the price of a single / double room? : ( )
The room has ... : ( )
- ...the sheets? : ( )
- ...the bathroom? : ( )
- ...the shower? : ( )
- ...the phone? : ( )
- ...TV? : ( )
- Can I see the room? : ( )
- You have a room... : ( )
- ...smaller? : ( )
- ... calmer? : ( )
- ...bigger? : ( )
- ...cleaner? : ( )
- ...cheaper? : ( )
- ... with a view of (sea) : ( )
OK, I'll take it : ( )
I will stay for _____ night (s) : ( )
Can you recommend another hotel? : ( )
Do you have a safe? : ( )
Do you have key lockers? : ( )
Is breakfast / lunch / dinner included? : ( )
What time is breakfast / lunch / dinner? : ( )
Please clean my room : ( )
Can you wake me up at _____? : ( )
I'd like to check out : ( )
Common dormitory : ( )
Shared bathroom : ( )
Hot / boiling water : ( )

To eat

Vocabulary

Trattoria : ( )
Restaurant : ( )
Snack bar : ( )
Breakfast : ( )
Snack : ( )
Starter : ( )
Lunch : ( )
Dinner : ( )
Snack : ( )
Meal : ( )
Soup : ( )
Main meal : ( )
Sweet : ( )
Appetizer : ( )
Digestive : ( )
Hot : ( )
Cold : ( )
Sweet (adjective) : ( )
Salty : ( )
Bitter : ( )
Sour : ( )
Spicy : ( )
Raw : ( )
Smoked : ( )
Fried : ( )

The bar

Do you serve alcoholic beverages? : ( )
Do you serve at the table? : ( )
One / two beers, please : ( )
A glass of red / white wine, please : ( )
A large beer, please : ( )
A bottle, please : ( )
water : ( )
Tonic water : ( )
Orange juice : ( )
Coca Cola : ( )
soda : ( )
One more, please : ( )
When do you close? : ( )

At the restaurant

A table for one / two people, please : ( )
Can you bring me the menu? : ( )
Can we order, please? : ( )
Do you have any house specialties? : ( )
Is there a local specialty? : ( )
Is there a menu of the day? : ( )
I am a vegetarian / vegan : ( )
I don't eat pork : ( )
I only eat kosher food : ( )
I just want something light : ( )
I would like to _____ : ( )
- Meat : ( )
  - Well done : ( )
  - To the blood : ( )
- Rabbit : ( )
- Chicken : ( )
- Turkey : ( )
- Bovine : ( )
- Pig : ( )
- Ham : ( )
- Sausage : ( )
- Fish : ( )
- Tuna : ( )
- Cheese : ( )
- Eggs : ( )
- Salad : ( )
- Vegetable : ( )
- Fruit : ( )
- Bread : ( )
- Toast : ( )
- Croissant : ( )
- Krapfen : ( )
- Pasta : ( )
- Rice : ( )
- Beans : ( )
- Asparagus : ( )
- Beet : ( )
- Carrot : ( )
- Cauliflower : ( )
- Watermelon : ( )
- Fennel : ( )
- Mushrooms : ( )
- Pineapple : ( )
- Orange : ( )
- Apricot : ( )
- Cherry : ( )
- Berries : ( )
- Kiwi : ( )
- Mango : ( )
- Apple : ( )
- Aubergine : ( )
- Melon : ( )
- Potato : ( )
- Chips : ( )
- Pear : ( )
- Fishing : ( )
- Peas : ( )
- Tomato : ( )
- Plum : ( )
- Cake : ( )
- Sandwich : ( )
- Grapes : ( )
Can I have a glass / cup / bottle of _____? : ( )
- Coffee : ( )
- You : ( )
- Juice : ( )
- Sparkling water : ( )
- Beer : ( )
Red / white wine : ( )
Can I have some _____? : ( )
- Spices : ( )
- Oil : ( )
- Mustard : ( )
- Vinegar : ( )
- Garlic : ( )
- Lemon : ( )
- salt : ( )
- pepper : ( )
- Butter : ( )
Waiter! : ( )
I finished : ( )
It was great : ( )
The Bill please : ( )
We pay each for himself (Roman style) : ( )
Keep the change : ( )

Money

Vocabulary

Credit card : ( )
Money : ( )
Check : ( )
Travel checks : ( )
Currency : ( )
To change : ( )

Do you accept this currency? : ( )
Do you accept credit cards? : ( )
Can you change my money? : ( )
Where can I exchange the money? : ( )
What is the exchange rate? : ( )
Where is the bank / ATM / exchange office? : ( )

Shopping

Useful words

To buy : ( )
Do the shopping : ( )
Shopping : ( )
Shop : ( )
Library : ( )
Fishmonger : ( )
Shoe shop : ( )
Pharmacy : ( )
Bakery : ( )
Butcher's shop : ( )
Post Office : ( )
Travel agency : ( )
Price : ( )
Expensive : ( )
Cheap : ( )
Receipt : ( )

When do the shops open? : ( )
Do you have this in my size? : ( )
Does he have it in other colors? : ( )
Which color do you prefer? : ( )
- Black : ( )
- White : ( )
- Grey : ( )
- Red : ( )
- Blue : ( )
- Yellow : ( )
- Green : ( )
- Orange : ( )
- Violet : ( )
- Brown : ( )
How much? : ( )
Too expensive : ( )
I can not afford it : ( )
I don't want this : ( )
Can I try it on (dress)? : ( )
You want to cheat me : ( )
I'm not interested : ( )
Do you also send abroad? : ( )
OK, I'll take this : ( )
Where do I pay? : ( )
Can I have a bag? : ( )

I need... : ( )
- ...toothpaste : ( )
- ...toothbrush : ( )
- ... tampons : ( )
- ...soap : ( )
- ...shampoo : ( )
- ...painkiller : ( )
- ...medicine for colds : ( )
- ...blade : ( )
- ...umbrella : ( )
- ... sun cream / milk : ( )
- ...postcard : ( )
- ...stamp : ( )
- ... batteries : ( )
- ... books / magazines / newspaper in Italian : ( )
- ...Italian dictionary : ( )
- ...pen : ( )

Numbers

Numbers
N.	Writing	Pronunciation	N.	Writing	Pronunciation
1			21
2			22
3			30
4			40
5			50
6			60
7			70
8			80
9			90
10			100
11			101
12			200
13			300
14			1.000
15			1.001
16			1.002
17			2.000
18			10.000
19			20.000
20			1.000.000

Useful words

zero : ( )
number : ( )
half : ( )
double : ( )
less than : ( )
more than : ( )
same : ( )
comma : ( )
point : ( )
more : ( )
for : ( )
less : ( )
divided : ( )

Time

Time and date

What time is it? : ( )
It is precisely one o'clock : ( )
Quarter to _____ : ( )
What time do we meet? : ( )
At two o'clock : ( )
When will we see you? : ( )
See you on Monday : ( )
When are you leaving? : ( )
I'm leaving / leaving tomorrow morning : ( )

Duration

_____ minute / minutes (ago) : ( )
_____ hour / hours (ago) : ( )
_____ day (s) (ago) : ( )
_____ week (s) (ago) : ( )
_____ month / months (ago) : ( )
_____ year / years (ago) : ( )
three times a day : ( )
in an hour / in an hour : ( )
often : ( )
never : ( )
always : ( )
rarely : ( )

Common expressions

Now : ( )
Later : ( )
Before : ( )
Day : ( )
Afternoon : ( )
Evening : ( )
Night : ( )
Midnight : ( )
Today : ( )
Tomorrow : ( )
Tonight : ( )
Yesterday : ( )
Yesterday night : ( )
The day before yesterday : ( )
Day after tomorrow : ( )
This week : ( )
Last week : ( )
Next week : ( )
Minute / I. : ( )
hour (s) : ( )
day (s) : ( )
week (s) : ( )
month (s) : ( )
year / s : ( )

Days

The days of the week
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Writing
Pronunciation

Months and Seasons

	winter			spring
	December	January	February	March	April	May
Writing
Pronunciation
	summer			Autumn
	June	July	August	September	October	November
Writing
Pronunciation

Grammatical appendix

Basic forms
Italian	Writing	Pronunciation
I
you
he / she / it
we
you
they

Flexed forms
Italian	Writing	Pronunciation
me
you
lo / la-gli / le-ne-si
there
you
them / ne

Other projects

Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Estonian
Commons contains images or other files on Estonian

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