Learning Estonian can be an exciting journey, especially when you start to expand your vocabulary at the A2 level. At this stage, you should focus on essential words that will help you navigate everyday conversations and understand more complex sentences. To give you a head start, we’ve compiled a list of 50 essential words you need to know for Estonian at the A2 level. This list covers a range of categories, including basic verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, to ensure you get a comprehensive understanding of the language.

Basic Verbs

1. **Olema** (to be) – One of the most fundamental verbs in any language. For example: “Ma olen õnnelik.” (I am happy).
2. **Minema** (to go) – Useful for everyday activities. For example: “Ma lähen poodi.” (I am going to the store).
3. **Tulema** (to come) – Often used in conversations. For example: “Ta tuleb homme.” (He/She is coming tomorrow).
4. **Tegema** (to do/make) – A versatile verb for various contexts. For example: “Ma teen süüa.” (I am cooking).
5. **Ütlema** (to say) – Essential for communication. For example: “Ma ütlen sulle.” (I will tell you).
6. **Nägema** (to see) – Important for describing experiences. For example: “Ma näen sind.” (I see you).
7. **Kuulma** (to hear) – Useful in many contexts. For example: “Kas sa kuulsid?” (Did you hear?).
8. **Panema** (to put) – Often used in daily activities. For example: “Ma panen selle siia.” (I put it here).
9. **Võtma** (to take) – Another practical verb. For example: “Ma võtan selle.” (I will take this).
10. **Andma** (to give) – Essential for interactions. For example: “Ma annan sulle raamatu.” (I will give you the book).

Common Nouns

11. **Inimene** (person) – Fundamental for discussing people. For example: “See inimene on sõbralik.” (This person is friendly).
12. **Aeg** (time) – Crucial for planning and scheduling. For example: “Mul pole aega.” (I have no time).
13. **Koht** (place) – Important for describing locations. For example: “See on ilus koht.” (This is a beautiful place).
14. **Päev** (day) – Useful for talking about time. For example: “Täna on ilus päev.” (Today is a beautiful day).
15. **Nädal** (week) – Important for planning. For example: “Järgmine nädal on kiire.” (Next week is busy).
16. **Aasta** (year) – Useful for discussing longer periods. For example: “See aasta on olnud hea.” (This year has been good).
17. **Laps** (child) – Important for family contexts. For example: “Mu laps läheb kooli.” (My child is going to school).
18. **Sõber** (friend) – Essential for social interactions. For example: “Ta on mu sõber.” (He/She is my friend).
19. **Kodu** (home) – Fundamental for discussing living situations. For example: “Ma lähen koju.” (I am going home).
20. **Töö** (work) – Crucial for discussing occupations. For example: “Ma otsin tööd.” (I am looking for work).

Adjectives

21. **Suur** (big) – Useful for descriptions. For example: “See on suur maja.” (This is a big house).
22. **Väike** (small) – Also useful for descriptions. For example: “See on väike koer.” (This is a small dog).
23. **Hea** (good) – A common adjective. For example: “See on hea raamat.” (This is a good book).
24. **Halb** (bad) – The opposite of good. For example: “See on halb idee.” (This is a bad idea).
25. **Ilus** (beautiful) – Often used in compliments. For example: “Sa oled ilus.” (You are beautiful).
26. **Kallis** (expensive) – Useful for shopping. For example: “See on kallis.” (This is expensive).
27. **Odav** (cheap) – The opposite of expensive. For example: “See on odav.” (This is cheap).
28. **Raske** (difficult/heavy) – Useful in various contexts. For example: “See ülesanne on raske.” (This task is difficult).
29. **Kerge** (easy/light) – The opposite of difficult/heavy. For example: “See on kerge.” (This is easy/light).
30. **Kiire** (fast) – Useful for describing speed. For example: “Ta on väga kiire.” (He/She is very fast).

Adverbs

31. **Täna** (today) – Crucial for discussing the present. For example: “Täna on reede.” (Today is Friday).
32. **Homme** (tomorrow) – Important for planning. For example: “Ma lähen homme.” (I am going tomorrow).
33. **Eile** (yesterday) – Useful for discussing the past. For example: “Eile oli hea päev.” (Yesterday was a good day).
34. **Kohe** (immediately) – Useful for urgent situations. For example: “Ma teen seda kohe.” (I will do it immediately).
35. **Väga** (very) – Commonly used for emphasis. For example: “See on väga hea.” (This is very good).
36. **Täielikult** (completely) – Useful for expressing totality. For example: “Ma olen täielikult nõus.” (I completely agree).
37. **Aeglaselt** (slowly) – Useful for describing speed. For example: “Räägi aeglaselt.” (Speak slowly).
38. **Hästi** (well) – Commonly used for describing actions. For example: “Ta teeb seda hästi.” (He/She does it well).
39. **Halvasti** (badly) – The opposite of well. For example: “Ta teeb seda halvasti.” (He/She does it badly).
40. **Seal** (there) – Useful for indicating location. For example: “Ta on seal.” (He/She is there).

Pronouns and Prepositions

41. **Ma** (I) – The first-person singular pronoun. For example: “Ma olen siin.” (I am here).
42. **Sa** (you) – The second-person singular pronoun. For example: “Sa oled kena.” (You are nice).
43. **Ta** (he/she) – The third-person singular pronoun. For example: “Ta on õnnelik.” (He/She is happy).
44. **Meie** (we) – The first-person plural pronoun. For example: “Meie oleme siin.” (We are here).
45. **Teie** (you, plural) – The second-person plural pronoun. For example: “Teie olete lahked.” (You are kind, plural).
46. **Nad** (they) – The third-person plural pronoun. For example: “Nad on siin.” (They are here).
47. **Kus** (where) – An important question word. For example: “Kus sa oled?” (Where are you?).
48. **Millal** (when) – Another essential question word. For example: “Millal sa tuled?” (When are you coming?).
49. **Miks** (why) – Useful for asking reasons. For example: “Miks sa seda teed?” (Why are you doing this?).
50. **Kuidas** (how) – Important for asking about methods or conditions. For example: “Kuidas sa seda teed?” (How do you do this?).

Conclusion

By mastering these 50 essential words, you will significantly enhance your ability to communicate in Estonian at the A2 level. These words will form the foundation for more complex conversations and help you better understand the language structure. Remember, practice is key to language learning. Try to use these words in your daily conversations, write sentences, and even create short stories to reinforce your learning. Happy learning!