How do you use the relative pronoun mis?

What is the Relative Pronoun “mis” in Estonian?

Mis is the Estonian equivalent of the English relative pronoun “which” or “that”. It is used to introduce relative clauses, which provide extra information about a noun mentioned earlier in the sentence. Understanding how to use “mis” is key to forming more complex and natural sentences in Estonian.

When to Use “mis”

The relative pronoun “mis” is used in several contexts:

• To refer to things or animals (not people)
• To introduce a clause that gives more information about the subject or object of the main clause
• To connect two clauses smoothly and avoid repetition

Examples:

• See on raamat, mis mulle meeldib. (This is the book that I like.)
• Mul on koer, mis on väga sõbralik. (I have a dog which is very friendly.)
• Ostsin koti, mis on väga ilus. (I bought a bag that is very beautiful.)

How “mis” Works in a Sentence

The word “mis” acts as the subject or object of the relative clause it introduces. It replaces the noun it refers to, allowing you to avoid repetition and create more fluid sentences. The clause introduced by “mis” usually follows immediately after the noun it describes.

Subject Example:

See on kass, mis magab diivanil. (This is the cat that is sleeping on the sofa.)

Object Example:

See on film, mis ma eile vaatasin. (This is the movie that I watched yesterday.)

Difference Between “mis” and Other Relative Pronouns

Estonian also uses other relative pronouns, such as “kes” for people. It is important not to confuse “mis” with “kes”.

• Mis – for things and animals
• Kes – for people

Example:

See on õpetaja, kes õpetab inglise keelt. (This is the teacher who teaches English.)

Tips for Mastering “mis”

• Practice forming sentences with “mis” by describing objects around you.
• Pay attention to how native speakers use “mis” in conversations and written texts.
• Use language learning platforms like Talkpal to get instant feedback on your sentence structure.
• Remember that “mis” never refers to people; always use “kes” when talking about people.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Using “mis” for people instead of “kes”.
• Forgetting to use “mis” when introducing a relative clause about a thing or animal.
• Placing “mis” too far from the noun it describes, which can cause confusion.

Avoid these pitfalls by practicing regularly and reviewing example sentences.

Practice Exercises

Try rewriting these sentences using “mis” to connect the clauses:

• I have a car. The car is red.
• There is a cake. The cake tastes delicious.
• Here is a picture. The picture was taken in Tallinn.

Answers:

• Mul on auto, mis on punane. (I have a car that is red.)
• Seal on kook, mis maitseb imeliselt. (There is a cake that tastes delicious.)
• Siin on pilt, mis tehti Tallinnas. (Here is a picture that was taken in Tallinn.)

Conclusion

Mastering the relative pronoun “mis” is a significant step toward fluency in Estonian. It allows you to connect ideas, add detail, and speak more naturally. By practicing with real-life examples and engaging with resources like Talkpal’s AI language learning blog, you can deepen your understanding and usage of “mis” in everyday conversation. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be forming complex Estonian sentences with confidence!