Nominative Case: The Subject of a Sentence

The Nominative case in Estonian is the most basic form, typically used to indicate a sentence’s subject. Standard rules for forming the Nominative case include:

– Singular nouns have no specific ending.
– Plural nouns frequently adopt the « -d » or « -t » endings.

Example:
– Koer (dog) – singular
– Koerad (dogs) – plural

Genitive Case: Showing Possession

The Genitive case is employed to express possession, often corresponding to the English « of » or possessive « ‘s. » Common endings for the Genitive case are:

– Singular: « -u » or « -a »
– Plural: « -de » or « -te »

Example:
– Koera (of the dog) – singular
– Koerte (of the dogs) – plural

Partitive Case: Indicating Quantity

The Partitive case primarily indicates an indefinite quantity or part of something. It is utilized in situations where the English equivalent would be « some » or « any. » Regular endings for the Partitive case are:

– Singular: « -t »
– Plural: « -sid »

Example:
– Koera (some dog) – singular
– Koeri (some dogs) – plural

Illative, Inessive, and Elative Cases: Denoting Location

These three cases, specifically Illative, Inessive, and Elative, are utilized to convey different aspects of location:

1. Illative: Indicates movement « into » or « toward » a location.
– Singular: « -sse »
– Plural: « -desse »
2. Inessive: Represents being « in » or « at » a location.
– Singular: « -s »
– Plural: « -des »
3. Elative: Signifies movement « out of » or « from » a location.
– Singular: « -st »
– Plural: « -dest »

Example:
– Majja (into the house) – Illative
– Majas (in the house) – Inessive
– Majast (from the house) – Elative

Allative, Adessive, and Ablative Cases: Expressing Location with Focus on Relation

Another set of location-based cases is Allative, Adessive, and Ablative, which highlight relations between objects:

1. Allative: Conveys movement « to » or « onto » a location.
– Singular: « -le »
– Plural: « -dele »
2. Adessive: Illustrates being « on » or « at » a location concerning another object.
– Singular: « -l »
– Plural: « -del »
3. Ablative: Denotes movement « from » or « off » a location concerning another object.
– Singular: « -lt »
– Plural: « -delt »

Example:
– [R@]@1Ü@[]aBcCeFg[]I[]kL/M?nQsTuVxY[]äö$ßÖ()Ü(]+ |*ü/+_ ~$µ (to the table) – Allative
– Laua peal (on the table) – Adessive
– Laua pealt (from the table) – Ablative

Translative, Terminative, Essive, Abessive, and Comitative Cases: Describing Transitions, States, and Companionship

The final group, encompassing the Translative, Terminative, Essive, Abessive, and Comitative cases, illustrate various situations and conditions:

1. Translative: Indicates a change of state or condition.
– Singular: « -ks »
– Plural: « -deks »
2. Terminative: Represents the endpoint, extent, or duration of something.
– Singular: « -ni »
– Plural: « -deni »
3. Essive: Expresses a temporary state or condition.
– Singular: « -na »
– Plural: « -dena »
4. Abessive: Denotes the absence or lack of something.
– Singular: « -ta »
– Plural: « -deta »
5. Comitative: Illustrates accompaniment or being « with » something/someone.
– Singular: « -ga »
– Plural: « -dega »

Example:
– Poisiks (to become a boy) – Translative
– Kella kuueni (until six o’clock) – Terminative
– Õpetajana (as a teacher) – Essive
– Rahata (without money) – Abessive
– Sõpradega (with friends) – Comitative

By delving into the intricacies of the Estonian cases, language enthusiasts, and learners can effectively communicate complex ideas and foster a deeper understanding of the grammatical structure of this rich and fascinating language.