Learning a new language is an exciting journey, and reaching the B1 level in Estonian is a significant milestone. At this level, you are expected to understand and use everyday expressions, manage most travel situations, and discuss topics that are familiar or of personal interest. To help you on this journey, we’ve compiled a list of essential Estonian words and phrases that will enhance your vocabulary and improve your communication skills.

Everyday Vocabulary

Being able to navigate daily life in Estonia requires a solid grasp of common vocabulary. Here are some essential words and phrases that you will use frequently:

1. **Tere** – Hello
2. **Aitäh** – Thank you
3. **Palun** – Please / You’re welcome
4. **Jah** – Yes
5. **Ei** – No
6. **Vabandust** – Sorry / Excuse me
7. **Hüvasti** – Goodbye
8. **Kuidas läheb?** – How are you?
9. **Hästi, aitäh** – Good, thank you
10. **Mis su nimi on?** – What is your name?
11. **Minu nimi on…** – My name is…

Numbers and Dates

Knowing how to count and state dates is crucial for any language learner. Here are some basic numbers and date-related terms in Estonian:

1. **Üks** – One
2. **Kaks** – Two
3. **Kolm** – Three
4. **Neli** – Four
5. **Viis** – Five
6. **Kuus** – Six
7. **Seitse** – Seven
8. **Kaheksa** – Eight
9. **Üheksa** – Nine
10. **Kümme** – Ten

For dates:
1. **Esimene** – First
2. **Teine** – Second
3. **Kolmas** – Third
4. **Neljas** – Fourth
5. **Viies** – Fifth
6. **Kuues** – Sixth
7. **Seitsmes** – Seventh
8. **Kaheksas** – Eighth
9. **Üheksas** – Ninth
10. **Kümnes** – Tenth

Days of the week:
1. **Esmaspäev** – Monday
2. **Teisipäev** – Tuesday
3. **Kolmapäev** – Wednesday
4. **Neljapäev** – Thursday
5. **Reede** – Friday
6. **Laupäev** – Saturday
7. **Pühapäev** – Sunday

Months of the year:
1. **Jaanuar** – January
2. **Veebruar** – February
3. **Märts** – March
4. **Aprill** – April
5. **Mai** – May
6. **Juuni** – June
7. **Juuli** – July
8. **August** – August
9. **September** – September
10. **Oktoober** – October
11. **November** – November
12. **Detsember** – December

Useful Phrases for Daily Life

To make your life easier while living in Estonia or communicating with Estonian speakers, it’s important to know some practical phrases:

1. **Kus on tualett?** – Where is the bathroom?
2. **Kui palju see maksab?** – How much does this cost?
3. **Kas te räägite inglise keelt?** – Do you speak English?
4. **Ma ei saa aru** – I don’t understand
5. **Palun korrake** – Please repeat
6. **Kas saaksin menüüd näha?** – Can I see the menu?
7. **Ma olen kaotanud…** – I have lost…
8. **Võiksin ma… saada?** – Could I get…?
9. **Kas saaksite mind aidata?** – Could you help me?
10. **Mul on vaja arsti** – I need a doctor

Food and Drink

Understanding food-related vocabulary is essential, especially when dining out or shopping for groceries. Here are some common terms:

1. **Söök** – Food
2. **Jook** – Drink
3. **Hommikusöök** – Breakfast
4. **Lõunasöök** – Lunch
5. **Õhtusöök** – Dinner
6. **Leib** – Bread
7. **Juust** – Cheese
8. **Kala** – Fish
9. **Liha** – Meat
10. **Puuvili** – Fruit
11. **Köögivili** – Vegetable
12. **Vesi** – Water
13. **Kohv** – Coffee
14. **Tee** – Tea
15. **Õlu** – Beer
16. **Vein** – Wine

Travel and Transportation

When traveling, knowing transportation-related vocabulary can be a lifesaver. Here are some key words and phrases:

1. **Buss** – Bus
2. **Rong** – Train
3. **Lennuk** – Airplane
4. **Taks** – Taxi
5. **Jaam** – Station
6. **Pilet** – Ticket
7. **Peatus** – Stop
8. **Kus on…** – Where is…?
9. **Kuidas ma saan… minna?** – How can I get to…?
10. **Ma tahan minna…** – I want to go to…

Shopping and Services

Shopping in Estonia can be a pleasant experience if you know the right vocabulary. Here are some useful terms:

1. **Pood** – Shop
2. **Turg** – Market
3. **Apteek** – Pharmacy
4. **Postkontor** – Post office
5. **Pank** – Bank
6. **Sularahaautomaat** – ATM
7. **Hind** – Price
8. **Soodustus** – Discount
9. **Krediitkaart** – Credit card
10. **Sularaha** – Cash
11. **Kviitung** – Receipt
12. **Kott** – Bag

Health and Emergencies

In case of emergencies or health issues, it’s important to know the relevant vocabulary:

1. **Arst** – Doctor
2. **Haigla** – Hospital
3. **Kiirabi** – Ambulance
4. **Apteek** – Pharmacy
5. **Ravim** – Medicine
6. **Mul on valus** – I am in pain
7. **Olen haige** – I am sick
8. **Kas saaksite mind aidata?** – Can you help me?
9. **Politsei** – Police
10. **Tulekahju** – Fire

Weather and Nature

Discussing the weather is a common conversation starter. Here are some words and phrases to help you talk about the weather and nature:

1. **Ilm** – Weather
2. **Päike** – Sun
3. **Vihm** – Rain
4. **Lumi** – Snow
5. **Tuul** – Wind
6. **Pilv** – Cloud
7. **Külm** – Cold
8. **Soe** – Warm
9. **Kuum** – Hot
10. **Kena päev** – Nice day
11. **Mets** – Forest
12. **Järv** – Lake
13. **Meri** – Sea
14. **Rand** – Beach
15. **Mägi** – Mountain

Family and Relationships

Talking about your family and relationships is a way to connect with others. Here are some key terms:

1. **Perekond** – Family
2. **Isa** – Father
3. **Ema** – Mother
4. **Vend** – Brother
5. **Õde** – Sister
6. **Poeg** – Son
7. **Tütar** – Daughter
8. **Vanaema** – Grandmother
9. **Vanaisa** – Grandfather
10. **Sõber** – Friend
11. **Abikaasa** – Spouse
12. **Poiss-sõber** – Boyfriend
13. **Tüdruk-sõber** – Girlfriend

Work and School

Whether you are working or studying in Estonia, knowing the right vocabulary will help you navigate these environments:

1. **Töö** – Work
2. **Kool** – School
3. **Õpetaja** – Teacher
4. **Õpilane** – Student
5. **Kontor** – Office
6. **Koosolek** – Meeting
7. **Ülesanne** – Task
8. **Projekt** – Project
9. **Tund** – Lesson
10. **Eksamit** – Exam
11. **Palk** – Salary
12. **Töökaaslane** – Colleague
13. **Tööintervjuu** – Job interview
14. **Lepingu** – Contract

Adjectives and Descriptions

To describe people, places, and things, you’ll need a good set of adjectives. Here are some common ones:

1. **Suur** – Big
2. **Väike** – Small
3. **Ilus** – Beautiful
4. **Kole** – Ugly
5. **Noor** – Young
6. **Vana** – Old
7. **Kiire** – Fast
8. **Aeglane** – Slow
9. **Kallis** – Expensive
10. **Odav** – Cheap
11. **Raske** – Difficult
12. **Lihtne** – Easy
13. **Hea** – Good
14. **Halb** – Bad
15. **Pikk** – Tall
16. **Lühike** – Short

Verbs and Actions

Action words or verbs are fundamental to forming sentences. Here are some common Estonian verbs:

1. **Olema** – To be
2. **Minema** – To go
3. **Tegema** – To do/make
4. **Tulema** – To come
5. **Nägema** – To see
6. **Kuulma** – To hear
7. **Ütlema** – To say
8. **Mõtlema** – To think
9. **Teadma** – To know
10. **Tundma** – To feel
11. **Lugema** – To read
12. **Kirjutama** – To write
13. **Õppima** – To study/learn
14. **Mängima** – To play
15. **Tööle** – To work

Conjunctions and Linking Words

Conjunctions and linking words help you connect ideas and sentences. Here are some useful ones:

1. **Ja** – And
2. **Aga** – But
3. **Või** – Or
4. **Sest** – Because
5. **Kuna** – Since
6. **Kui** – If
7. **Kuigi** – Although
8. **Seega** – Therefore
9. **Seetõttu** – Consequently
10. **Siiski** – However

Pronouns

Pronouns are crucial for referring to people and things without repeating their names. Here are some common Estonian pronouns:

1. **Mina** – I
2. **Sina** – You (singular)
3. **Tema** – He/She
4. **Meie** – We
5. **Teie** – You (plural/formal)
6. **Nemad** – They
7. **See** – This
8. **Need** – These
9. **Too** – That
10. **Need** – Those

Practice Makes Perfect

As with any language, the key to mastering Estonian is practice. Try to use these words and phrases in your daily interactions, whether you are speaking, writing, or thinking in Estonian. Engage with native speakers, consume Estonian media, and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible.

Reaching the B1 level in Estonian is a commendable achievement, and with these essential words and phrases, you are well on your way to becoming more fluent and confident in your language skills. Enjoy your journey and embrace the beauty of the Estonian language!