As you advance to a B2 level in Estonian, your vocabulary expands significantly, allowing you to engage in more complex conversations and understand a wider range of texts. This article aims to introduce you to essential Estonian words and phrases that will help you navigate social interactions, comprehend media, and express your thoughts more precisely. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you’ll be better equipped to achieve fluency and deepen your understanding of the language.

Essential Verbs

At the B2 level, verbs become more nuanced and critical to mastering the language. Here are some important verbs that you should know:

1. **Teadma** (to know) – This verb is essential for expressing knowledge or familiarity with a subject.
– Example: Ma tean seda. (I know that.)

2. **Mõistma** (to understand) – Understanding is a key component of communication.
– Example: Kas sa mõistad? (Do you understand?)

3. **Tundma** (to feel) – This verb is crucial for expressing feelings and sensations.
– Example: Ma tunnen end hästi. (I feel good.)

4. **Oskama** (to be able to) – Used to express ability or skill.
– Example: Ma oskan eesti keelt rääkida. (I can speak Estonian.)

5. **Saatma** (to send) – Important for various forms of communication.
– Example: Ma saadan sulle e-kirja. (I will send you an email.)

Useful Nouns

Nouns are the building blocks of any language, and knowing the right ones can greatly improve your fluency. Here are some nouns you should know:

1. **Kodu** (home) – A fundamental noun for discussing living situations.
– Example: Ma lähen koju. (I am going home.)

2. **Töö** (work) – Essential for talking about employment and tasks.
– Example: Mul on palju tööd. (I have a lot of work.)

3. **Sõber** (friend) – Important for social interactions.
– Example: Ta on minu sõber. (He/She is my friend.)

4. **Raamat** (book) – Useful for discussing literature and studies.
– Example: Ma loen huvitavat raamatut. (I am reading an interesting book.)

5. **Auto** (car) – Necessary for conversations about transportation.
– Example: Mul on uus auto. (I have a new car.)

Adjectives to Describe the World

Adjectives add depth to your descriptions and make your conversations more engaging. Here are some adjectives you should be familiar with:

1. **Ilus** (beautiful) – Used to describe anything aesthetically pleasing.
– Example: See on väga ilus maja. (That is a very beautiful house.)

2. **Huvitav** (interesting) – Important for expressing intrigue or curiosity.
– Example: See film oli huvitav. (That movie was interesting.)

3. **Raske** (difficult/heavy) – Useful in various contexts, from tasks to physical objects.
– Example: See ülesanne on raske. (This task is difficult.)

4. **Kerge** (easy/light) – The opposite of “raske,” useful in similar contexts.
– Example: See küsimus on kerge. (This question is easy.)

5. **Vana** (old) – For discussing age, whether of people or objects.
– Example: See raamat on vana. (This book is old.)

Common Adverbs

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs, making them crucial for more precise expressions. Here are some adverbs you should know:

1. **Kiiresti** (quickly) – Used to describe the speed of an action.
– Example: Ta jookseb väga kiiresti. (He/She runs very quickly.)

2. **Aeglaselt** (slowly) – The opposite of “kiiresti,” useful in similar contexts.
– Example: Palun räägi aeglaselt. (Please speak slowly.)

3. **Hästi** (well) – Important for describing the quality of an action.
– Example: Sa teed seda hästi. (You do that well.)

4. **Halvasti** (badly) – The opposite of “hästi,” useful in similar contexts.
– Example: Ta laulab halvasti. (He/She sings badly.)

5. **Sageli** (often) – Useful for discussing frequency.
– Example: Ma käin sageli trennis. (I often go to the gym.)

Prepositions for Precision

Prepositions are small but mighty words that help you describe relationships between different elements in a sentence. Here are some key prepositions:

1. **All** (under) – Useful for describing location.
– Example: Kass on laua all. (The cat is under the table.)

2. **Peal** (on) – Another preposition for location.
– Example: Raamat on laua peal. (The book is on the table.)

3. **Juurde** (to/towards) – Used for direction.
– Example: Tule minu juurde. (Come to me.)

4. **Sees** (inside) – Useful for describing where something is.
– Example: Ta on toas sees. (He/She is inside the room.)

5. **Väljas** (outside) – The opposite of “sees,” useful in similar contexts.
– Example: Lapsed mängivad väljas. (The children are playing outside.)

Conjunctions for Complex Sentences

Conjunctions help you create more complex sentences by connecting clauses and ideas. Here are some conjunctions you should know:

1. **Ja** (and) – The most basic conjunction, used to connect similar ideas.
– Example: Ma söön õuna ja banaani. (I am eating an apple and a banana.)

2. **Aga** (but) – Used to introduce a contrast.
– Example: Ma tahan tulla, aga ma ei saa. (I want to come, but I can’t.)

3. **Kuna** (because) – Useful for explaining reasons.
– Example: Ma jään koju, kuna olen haige. (I am staying home because I am sick.)

4. **Kui** (if/when) – Important for conditional sentences.
– Example: Kui sa tuled, siis ma olen õnnelik. (If you come, I will be happy.)

5. **Või** (or) – Used to present alternatives.
– Example: Kas sa tahad teed või kohvi? (Do you want tea or coffee?)

Expressions and Idioms

Expressions and idioms can add color to your language and help you sound more like a native speaker. Here are some you should know:

1. **Tõsta käed üles** (Raise your hands) – This can be used both literally and metaphorically to indicate surrender or agreement.
– Example: Ma tõstan käed üles, sa võitsid. (I raise my hands, you won.)

2. **Nagu kaks tilka vett** (Like two drops of water) – Used to describe two things that are very similar.
– Example: Nad on nagu kaks tilka vett. (They are like two drops of water.)

3. **Ajas segadusse** (Confused) – Useful for expressing confusion.
– Example: See küsimus ajas segadusse. (This question confused me.)

4. **Lööb sädemeid** (Sparks fly) – Used to describe a situation with a lot of energy, often conflicting.
– Example: Nende vahel lööb sädemeid. (Sparks fly between them.)

5. **Võtta aeg maha** (Take time off) – Used to describe taking a break.
– Example: Ma pean võtma aega maha. (I need to take some time off.)

Numbers and Quantities

Understanding numbers and quantities is crucial for everyday interactions. Here are some terms you should know:

1. **Üks** (one) – The basic unit of counting.
– Example: Mul on üks õun. (I have one apple.)

2. **Kaks** (two) – The next step in counting.
– Example: Mul on kaks koera. (I have two dogs.)

3. **Palju** (many) – Used to describe large quantities.
– Example: Mul on palju sõpru. (I have many friends.)

4. **Vähe** (few) – Used to describe small quantities.
– Example: Mul on vähe aega. (I have little time.)

5. **Mitu** (several) – Used to describe an unspecified number, more than one but not many.
– Example: Mul on mitu küsimust. (I have several questions.)

Days of the Week and Time Expressions

Understanding time expressions and days of the week is essential for making plans and discussing schedules. Here are some terms you should know:

1. **Esmaspäev** (Monday) – The first day of the week.
– Example: Ma alustan tööd esmaspäeval. (I start work on Monday.)

2. **Teisipäev** (Tuesday) – The second day of the week.
– Example: Me kohtume teisipäeval. (We will meet on Tuesday.)

3. **Kolmapäev** (Wednesday) – The middle of the week.
– Example: Ma lähen kinno kolmapäeval. (I am going to the cinema on Wednesday.)

4. **Neljapäev** (Thursday) – The fourth day of the week.
– Example: Ma teen trenni neljapäeval. (I work out on Thursday.)

5. **Reede** (Friday) – The fifth day of the week.
– Example: Me läheme peole reedel. (We are going to a party on Friday.)

6. **Laupäev** (Saturday) – The weekend begins.
– Example: Ma puhkan laupäeval. (I rest on Saturday.)

7. **Pühapäev** (Sunday) – The last day of the week.
– Example: Ma lähen kirikusse pühapäeval. (I go to church on Sunday.)

Common Phrases for Everyday Situations

Knowing some common phrases can help you navigate everyday situations more smoothly. Here are a few you should know:

1. **Kuidas läheb?** (How are you?) – A common greeting.
– Example: Tere! Kuidas läheb? (Hello! How are you?)

2. **Vabandust** (Sorry/Excuse me) – Useful in various situations, from apologizing to getting someone’s attention.
– Example: Vabandust, kas sa saad mind aidata? (Excuse me, can you help me?)

3. **Palun** (Please) – A polite word to use in requests.
– Example: Palun, anna mulle soola. (Please, pass me the salt.)

4. **Aitäh** (Thank you) – Essential for expressing gratitude.
– Example: Aitäh abi eest. (Thank you for the help.)

5. **Palun väga** (You’re welcome) – A polite response to “aitäh.”
– Example: Palun väga. (You’re welcome.)

Conclusion

Mastering these Estonian words and phrases will significantly enhance your ability to communicate at the B2 level. By integrating these terms into your daily practice, you’ll find yourself more comfortable in conversations, better able to understand media, and more adept at expressing your thoughts and feelings. Keep practicing, and you’ll continue to see improvement in your language skills. Happy learning!