Learning a new language is always an exciting journey, and Estonian is no exception. One of the essential aspects of mastering any language is understanding the vocabulary related to everyday activities. Today, we will delve into the concepts of buying and selling in Estonian, focusing on the verbs **ostma** (to buy) and **müüma** (to sell). Along the way, we will explore related vocabulary and phrases that will help you navigate shopping and commerce in Estonia.

Ostma – To Buy

The verb **ostma** means “to buy” in English. This verb is fundamental when discussing shopping or making purchases. Here are some essential words and phrases related to **ostma**:

Ostma – to buy
Ma tahan osta uut raamatut.
I want to buy a new book.

Ost – purchase
Selle ostu tegin eile.
I made this purchase yesterday.

Ostja – buyer
Ostja kontrollis toote kvaliteeti.
The buyer checked the quality of the product.

Ostukorv – shopping cart
Pane see toode ostukorvi.
Put this product in the shopping cart.

Ostukeskus – shopping center
Lähme ostukeskusesse.
Let’s go to the shopping center.

Ostukviitung – purchase receipt
Ära unusta ostukviitungit.
Don’t forget the purchase receipt.

Müüma – To Sell

The verb **müüma** means “to sell” in English. This verb is crucial for anyone engaged in commerce, whether as a business owner or a casual seller. Here are some key words and phrases related to **müüma**:

Müüma – to sell
Ma tahan müüa oma vana auto.
I want to sell my old car.

Müük – sale
Suurem müük toob rohkem tulu.
Higher sales bring more revenue.

Müüja – seller
Müüja pakkus soodushinda.
The seller offered a discount.

Müügitulu – sales revenue
Meie müügitulu kasvas eelmisel kuul.
Our sales revenue increased last month.

Müügileping – sales contract
Me allkirjastasime müügilepingu.
We signed the sales contract.

Müügikoht – point of sale
Toode on saadaval igas müügikohas.
The product is available at every point of sale.

Common Phrases and Dialogues

To help you get a better grasp of how these words are used in real-life situations, here are some common phrases and dialogues involving buying and selling:

Kui palju see maksab? – How much does this cost?
Kui palju see maksab?
How much does this cost?

Kas teil on allahindlusi? – Do you have any discounts?
Kas teil on allahindlusi?
Do you have any discounts?

Ma sooviksin tagastada selle toote. – I would like to return this product.
Ma sooviksin tagastada selle toote.
I would like to return this product.

Kas te saate mulle arve saata? – Can you send me an invoice?
Kas te saate mulle arve saata?
Can you send me an invoice?

Millal müük algab? – When does the sale start?
Millal müük algab?
When does the sale start?

Kas ma võin maksta kaardiga? – Can I pay by card?
Kas ma võin maksta kaardiga?
Can I pay by card?

Understanding Context

When learning a new language, context is crucial. The same word can have different meanings based on how it is used. For example, the verb **ostma** can be used in different tenses and forms:

Present tense: **ostan** – I buy
Ma ostan iga päev piima.
I buy milk every day.

Past tense: **ostsin** – I bought
Ma ostsin eile uue telefoni.
I bought a new phone yesterday.

Future tense: **ostan** (same as present) – I will buy
Ma ostan homme uue auto.
I will buy a new car tomorrow.

Similarly, the verb **müüma** can be used in different tenses and forms:

Present tense: **müün** – I sell
Ma müün oma vana mööbli.
I am selling my old furniture.

Past tense: **müüsin** – I sold
Ma müüsin oma auto eelmisel nädalal.
I sold my car last week.

Future tense: **müün** (same as present) – I will sell
Ma müün oma maja järgmisel kuul.
I will sell my house next month.

Expanding Your Vocabulary

Here are some additional words that are useful when talking about buying and selling:

Klienditeenindus – customer service
Klienditeenindus aitas mul probleemi lahendada.
Customer service helped me resolve the issue.

Laos – in stock
See toode ei ole laos.
This product is not in stock.

Tellimus – order
Ma tegin tellimuse eile.
I placed an order yesterday.

Kauba kohaletoimetamine – delivery of goods
Kauba kohaletoimetamine toimub homme.
The delivery of goods will take place tomorrow.

Tagastuspoliitika – return policy
Lugege meie tagastuspoliitikat enne ostu sooritamist.
Read our return policy before making a purchase.

Garantii – warranty
Tootel on kaheaastane garantii.
The product has a two-year warranty.

Maksmine – payment
Maksmine toimub kassas.
Payment is made at the cashier.

Hind – price
Hind on märgitud sildil.
The price is marked on the tag.

Soodustus – discount
Meil on praegu suur soodustus.
We currently have a big discount.

Järelmaks – installment payment
Seda saab osta järelmaksuga.
You can buy this on installment payments.

Practical Tips for Buying and Selling in Estonia

When you are in Estonia, here are some practical tips to keep in mind whether you are buying or selling:

1. **Learn Basic Phrases**: Knowing basic phrases like “Kui palju see maksab?” (How much does this cost?) and “Kas ma võin maksta kaardiga?” (Can I pay by card?) can make your shopping experience smoother.

2. **Understand the Currency**: Estonia uses the Euro (€), so familiarize yourself with the denominations and currency symbols.

3. **Check for Discounts and Sales**: Look out for words like **allahindlus** (discount) and **müük** (sale) to take advantage of special offers.

4. **Keep Receipts**: Always keep your **ostukviitung** (purchase receipt) in case you need to return or exchange an item.

5. **Know Your Rights**: Familiarize yourself with the **tagastuspoliitika** (return policy) and **garantii** (warranty) of the store or seller.

6. **Use Online Resources**: Many stores in Estonia have websites where you can browse products, make **tellimused** (orders), and read reviews.

Conclusion

Understanding the concepts of buying and selling in Estonian is crucial for anyone looking to engage in commerce or simply navigate daily life in Estonia. By mastering the verbs **ostma** and **müüma**, along with their related vocabulary, you will be well-equipped to handle various shopping and selling scenarios. Practice these words and phrases regularly, and soon you will find yourself more confident in your Estonian language skills. Happy learning and happy shopping!