Basic Vocabulary
Understanding and using basic vocabulary is crucial at the A2 level. Below are some essential categories along with their corresponding words.
Numbers
Knowing numbers is fundamental for various daily interactions, such as shopping, telling time, and discussing dates.
– One – üks
– Two – kaks
– Three – kolm
– Four – neli
– Five – viis
– Six – kuus
– Seven – seitse
– Eight – kaheksa
– Nine – üheksa
– Ten – kümme
Days of the Week
Days of the week are crucial when making plans and appointments.
– Monday – esmaspäev
– Tuesday – teisipäev
– Wednesday – kolmapäev
– Thursday – neljapäev
– Friday – reede
– Saturday – laupäev
– Sunday – pühapäev
Months
Knowing the months is important for talking about dates, seasons, and holidays.
– January – jaanuar
– February – veebruar
– March – märts
– April – aprill
– May – mai
– June – juuni
– July – juuli
– August – august
– September – september
– October – oktoober
– November – november
– December – detsember
Common Phrases
Here are some common phrases you’ll find useful in everyday conversations.
– Hello – Tere
– Goodbye – Nägemist
– Please – Palun
– Thank you – Aitäh
– Yes – Jah
– No – Ei
– Excuse me – Vabandust
– How are you? – Kuidas läheb?
– I’m fine, thank you – Mul läheb hästi, aitäh
– What is your name? – Mis su nimi on?
– My name is [Name] – Minu nimi on [Nimi]
Family Members
Discussing your family is a common topic in everyday conversations.
– Father – isa
– Mother – ema
– Brother – vend
– Sister – õde
– Son – poeg
– Daughter – tütar
– Grandfather – vanaisa
– Grandmother – vanaema
– Uncle – onu
– Aunt – tädi
– Cousin – nõbu
Colors
Colors are important for describing objects and expressing preferences.
– Red – punane
– Blue – sinine
– Green – roheline
– Yellow – kollane
– Black – must
– White – valge
– Brown – pruun
– Orange – oranž
– Pink – roosa
– Purple – lilla
Food and Drink
Being able to talk about food and drink is essential, especially when dining out or shopping for groceries.
Common Foods
– Bread – leib
– Cheese – juust
– Meat – liha
– Chicken – kana
– Fish – kala
– Vegetable – köögivili
– Fruit – puuvili
– Apple – õun
– Banana – banaan
– Potato – kartul
– Carrot – porgand
Drinks
– Water – vesi
– Juice – mahl
– Milk – piim
– Coffee – kohv
– Tea – tee
– Beer – õlu
– Wine – vein
Useful Phrases in a Restaurant
– Menu – menüü
– Waiter/Waitress – kelner/ettekandja
– Bill – arve
– I would like [item] – Ma sooviksin [eset]
– Can I have the bill, please? – Kas ma saaksin arve, palun?
Transportation and Directions
Understanding transportation vocabulary and how to ask for directions is crucial for navigating through any city.
Modes of Transportation
– Car – auto
– Bus – buss
– Train – rong
– Bicycle – jalgratas
– Airplane – lennuk
– Taxi – takso
– Boat – paat
Giving and Asking for Directions
– Where is the [place]? – Kus on [koht]?
– How do I get to [place]? – Kuidas ma saan [kohta]?
– Left – vasak
– Right – parem
– Straight – otse
– Near – lähedal
– Far – kaugel
– Next to – kõrval
– In front of – ees
– Behind – taga
Shopping
Shopping is a common activity, and knowing relevant vocabulary can make the experience much smoother.
Common Phrases
– How much does this cost? – Kui palju see maksab?
– I would like to buy [item] – Ma sooviksin osta [eset]
– Do you have [item]? – Kas teil on [eset]?
– Can I pay by card? – Kas ma saan kaardiga maksta?
– Receipt – kviitung
– Cash – sularaha
– Card – kaart
Types of Stores
– Grocery store – toidupood
– Clothing store – rõivapood
– Pharmacy – apteek
– Bookstore – raamatupood
– Bakery – pagaritöökoda
Health and Emergencies
Knowing how to talk about health and emergencies is crucial for your safety and well-being.
Common Health Vocabulary
– Doctor – arst
– Hospital – haigla
– Pharmacy – apteek
– Medicine – ravim
– Pain – valu
– Cold (illness) – külmetus
– Fever – palavik
Useful Phrases in Emergencies
– I need a doctor – Mul on arsti vaja
– Call an ambulance – Kutsuge kiirabi
– I am allergic to [substance] – Ma olen allergiline [aine]
– Help! – Aidake!
– Where is the nearest hospital? – Kus on lähim haigla?
Weather
Discussing the weather is a common topic in daily conversations.
Common Weather Vocabulary
– Sunny – päikeseline
– Cloudy – pilvine
– Rainy – vihmane
– Snowy – lumine
– Windy – tuuline
– Hot – kuum
– Cold – külm
Useful Weather Phrases
– What is the weather like? – Milline ilm on?
– It is sunny today – Täna on päikeseline
– It will rain tomorrow – Homme sajab vihma
– It is very cold – On väga külm
Common Verbs
Verbs are the action words that form the backbone of your sentences. Here are some commonly used verbs at the A2 level.
– To be – olema
– To have – omama
– To do – tegema
– To go – minema
– To eat – sööma
– To drink – jooma
– To see – nägema
– To read – lugema
– To write – kirjutama
– To speak – rääkima
– To understand – mõistma
– To want – tahtma
– To need – vajama
– To buy – ostma
– To sell – müüma
Adjectives
Adjectives help you describe nouns and add more detail to your conversations.
Common Adjectives
– Big – suur
– Small – väike
– Good – hea
– Bad – halb
– Old – vana
– New – uus
– Happy – õnnelik
– Sad – kurb
– Beautiful – ilus
– Ugly – kole
– Easy – lihtne
– Difficult – raske
Useful Phrases with Adjectives
– This is very good – See on väga hea
– That is too big – See on liiga suur
– I am happy – Ma olen õnnelik
– This is difficult – See on raske
Prepositions
Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence.
Common Prepositions
– In – sees
– On – peal
– Under – all
– Next to – kõrval
– Behind – taga
– In front of – ees
– Between – vahel
– With – koos
– Without – ilma
Useful Phrases with Prepositions
– The book is on the table – Raamat on laua peal
– The cat is under the chair – Kass on tooli all
– I am with my friend – Ma olen koos oma sõbraga
– The store is next to the bank – Pood on panga kõrval
Questions and Answers
Being able to ask and answer questions is crucial for effective communication.
Common Question Words
– Who – Kes
– What – Mis
– When – Millal
– Where – Kus
– Why – Miks
– How – Kuidas
Useful Question Phrases
– What is this? – Mis see on?
– Who are you? – Kes sa oled?
– When is the meeting? – Millal on kohtumine?
– Where is the restroom? – Kus on tualett?
– Why are you late? – Miks sa hilinesid?
– How do I do this? – Kuidas ma seda teen?
Common Answers
– This is a book – See on raamat
– I am a student – Ma olen õpilane
– The meeting is at 3 PM – Kohtumine on kell 3
– The restroom is over there – Tualett on seal
– I was stuck in traffic – Ma jäin liiklusummikusse
– You do it like this – Sa teed seda nii
Conclusion
Reaching the A2 level in Estonian is a significant milestone. By mastering these essential words and phrases, you will be well-equipped to handle everyday conversations and interactions. Remember, language learning is a gradual process, and consistent practice is key to becoming proficient. Keep using these words in your daily life, engage in conversations, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Each interaction will bring you one step closer to fluency. Good luck with your language learning journey!
