How are you?

'How are you?' in Estonian

Photo by Leo Roomets

Language

Estonian

Finno-Ugric Family
Left to Right Script
Non-Gendered Language
Estonian, a Finnic Uralic language, is spoken by about 1.1 million native speakers, primarily in Estonia. It uses the Latin alphabet with unique characters like "ä," "ö," "ü," and the distinct "õ," which represents a specific mid-close back unrounded vowel. Known for its three degrees of phonemic length (short, long, and overlong) and a melodic, vowel-rich sound, Estonian grammar features fourteen noun cases, no grammatical gender, and no future tense. Its vocabulary is predominantly Finno-Ugric, though it has absorbed significant loanwords from German, Russian, and English over centuries of trade and occupation. As the official language of Estonia, it is a core element of the nation’s identity, celebrated through its massive Song Festival (Laulupidu) and maintained as a highly modernized language used in all levels of government, education, and Estonia's advanced digital society.

Flashcards

data
EST Noun 416

andmed

data

Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.

cover
EST Verb 607

katma

cover

To place something over or on top of something else to protect or conceal it.

energy
EST Noun 585

energia

energy

The capacity for vigorous activity; vitality.

great
EST Adjective 137

suur

great

Of much importance, size, or intensity.

Agents

Estonian

Liis

tea is hot, vowels are hotter
Female
25
Tartu, Estonia
Estonian language tutor
thoughtful, patient
cross-country skiing
Estonian

Kadri

bring tea, leave fear
Female
56
Tallinn, Estonia
Estonian language tutor
patient
pottery
Estonian

Maarja

wish me luck!
Female
27
Tallinn, Estonia
Estonian language tutor and subtitler
witty
mushroom foraging

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