Learning a new language can be a fascinating and enriching experience, and the Estonian language, with its unique characteristics and rich cultural heritage, offers an exciting journey for language enthusiasts. One of the key aspects of mastering any language is building a robust vocabulary, and understanding how to express quantities is essential for effective communication. In this article, we will explore the quantitative vocabulary in the Estonian language, providing you with a comprehensive guide to numbers, counting, and expressing amounts.

Numbers in Estonian

Numbers form the foundation of quantitative vocabulary. In Estonian, as in many languages, numbers are used in various contexts, from simple counting to complex mathematical operations. Let’s start by familiarizing ourselves with the basic numbers.

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers are used to denote quantity. Here are the cardinal numbers from 0 to 20 in Estonian:

– 0: null
– 1: üks
– 2: kaks
– 3: kolm
– 4: neli
– 5: viis
– 6: kuus
– 7: seitse
– 8: kaheksa
– 9: üheksa
– 10: kümme
– 11: üksteist
– 12: kaksteist
– 13: kolmteist
– 14: neliteist
– 15: viisteist
– 16: kuusteist
– 17: seitseteist
– 18: kaheksateist
– 19: üheksateist
– 20: kakskümmend

Numbers from 21 onwards are formed by combining the tens and units. For example:
– 21: kakskümmend üks
– 22: kakskümmend kaks
– 30: kolmkümmend
– 40: nelikümmend
– 50: viiskümmend
– 60: kuuskümmend
– 70: seitsekümmend
– 80: kaheksakümmend
– 90: üheksakümmend
– 100: sada

Larger numbers follow a similar pattern:
– 200: kakssada
– 1,000: tuhat
– 10,000: kümme tuhat
– 100,000: sada tuhat
– 1,000,000: miljon

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the position or order of things. Here are the ordinal numbers from 1 to 10 in Estonian:

– 1st: esimene
– 2nd: teine
– 3rd: kolmas
– 4th: neljas
– 5th: viies
– 6th: kuues
– 7th: seitsmes
– 8th: kaheksas
– 9th: üheksas
– 10th: kümnes

For numbers beyond 10, Estonian ordinal numbers are formed by adding the suffix -nes to the cardinal number. For example:
– 11th: üheteistkümnes
– 12th: kaheteistkümnes
– 20th: kahekümnes
– 21st: kahekümne esimene

Expressing Quantities

In addition to numbers, Estonian uses specific words and expressions to convey different quantities. Understanding these terms will help you communicate more accurately and naturally.

Basic Quantity Terms

Here are some common words used to express quantities in Estonian:

– Many: palju
– Few: vähe
– Some: mõned
– All: kõik
– None: mitte ükski
– More: rohkem
– Less: vähem
– Enough: piisavalt

For example:
– Ma tahan rohkem vett. (I want more water.)
– Tal on palju sõpru. (He has many friends.)
– Meil on piisavalt aega. (We have enough time.)

Fractions and Decimals

Fractions and decimals are also an important part of quantitative vocabulary. Here are some basic fractions in Estonian:

– 1/2: pool
– 1/3: kolmandik
– 1/4: veerand
– 1/5: viiendik

Decimals are expressed by using the word koma (comma) to separate the whole number from the fractional part. For example:
– 0.5: null koma viis
– 1.25: üks koma kakskümmend viis

Time and Dates

Expressing time and dates accurately is crucial for effective communication. Let’s explore how to talk about time and dates in Estonian.

Telling Time

To tell time in Estonian, you use the word kell, which means “o’clock.” Here are some examples:

– 1:00: kell üks
– 2:30: kell pool kolm (literally “half to three”)
– 4:15: kell veerand viis (literally “quarter to five”)
– 6:45: kell kolmveerand seitse (literally “three quarters to seven”)

The 24-hour clock is commonly used in Estonia, especially in written communication. For example:
– 14:00: kell neliteist (2:00 PM)
– 18:30: kell kaheksateist kolmkümmend (6:30 PM)

Days, Months, and Years

Understanding how to express dates is essential. Here are the days of the week in Estonian:

– Monday: esmaspäev
– Tuesday: teisipäev
– Wednesday: kolmapäev
– Thursday: neljapäev
– Friday: reede
– Saturday: laupäev
– Sunday: pühapäev

And the months of the year:

– January: jaanuar
– February: veebruar
– March: märts
– April: aprill
– May: mai
– June: juuni
– July: juuli
– August: august
– September: september
– October: oktoober
– November: november
– December: detsember

To express a date, you typically use the day followed by the month and the year. For example:
– 1st January 2023: esimene jaanuar kaks tuhat kakskümmend kolm

Measurements and Weights

Understanding measurements and weights is essential for practical communication, especially in contexts such as cooking, shopping, and traveling. Let’s explore some common terms in Estonian.

Length and Distance

Here are some basic units of length and distance:

– Millimeter: millimeeter
– Centimeter: sentimeeter
– Meter: meeter
– Kilometer: kilomeeter

For example:
– See laud on kaks meetrit pikk. (This table is two meters long.)
– Tallinn on umbes kakssada kilomeetrit siit. (Tallinn is about two hundred kilometers from here.)

Weight

Here are some basic units of weight:

– Gram: gramm
– Kilogram: kilogramm
– Ton: tonn

For example:
– Ma ostsin ühe kilogrammi õunu. (I bought one kilogram of apples.)
– See auto kaalub kaks tonni. (This car weighs two tons.)

Volume

Here are some basic units of volume:

– Milliliter: milliliiter
– Liter: liiter

For example:
– Ma joon päevas kaks liitrit vett. (I drink two liters of water a day.)
– Selle pudeli maht on viissada milliliitrit. (The capacity of this bottle is five hundred milliliters.)

Money and Prices

Understanding how to talk about money and prices is essential for daily life. Let’s explore some common terms related to currency and prices in Estonian.

Currency

The currency used in Estonia is the euro. Here are some terms related to money:

– Euro: euro
– Cent: sent

For example:
– See maksab viis eurot. (This costs five euros.)
– Mul on ainult kümme senti. (I only have ten cents.)

Prices

When discussing prices, it’s important to know how to ask and state them. Here are some useful phrases:

– Kui palju see maksab? (How much does this cost?)
– See on liiga kallis. (This is too expensive.)
– Kas te annate allahindlust? (Do you give a discount?)

For example:
– Kui palju see kleit maksab? (How much does this dress cost?)
– See maksab kolmkümmend viis eurot. (It costs thirty-five euros.)

Quantitative Expressions in Everyday Conversations

Now that we have covered the basics of quantitative vocabulary, let’s explore how to use these terms in everyday conversations. Here are some practical examples:

Shopping

When shopping, you often need to discuss quantities and prices. Here are some useful phrases:

– Ma soovin osta… (I would like to buy…)
– Kas teil on… (Do you have…)
– Kui palju see maksab? (How much does this cost?)
– Mul on vaja… (I need…)

For example:
– Ma soovin osta kaks kilogrammi kartuleid. (I would like to buy two kilograms of potatoes.)
– Kas teil on piima? (Do you have milk?)
– Kui palju see leib maksab? (How much does this bread cost?)
– Mul on vaja nelja apelsini. (I need four oranges.)

Cooking

Cooking often involves discussing quantities and measurements. Here are some useful phrases:

– Lisa üks teelusikatäis soola. (Add one teaspoon of salt.)
– Vala kaks klaasi vett. (Pour two glasses of water.)
– Sega koostisosad hästi läbi. (Mix the ingredients well.)

For example:
– Lisa kolm supilusikatäit suhkrut. (Add three tablespoons of sugar.)
– Vala pool liitrit piima. (Pour half a liter of milk.)

Making Plans

When making plans, you often need to discuss dates and times. Here are some useful phrases:

– Kohtume kell… (Let’s meet at…)
– Kas sa oled vaba… (Are you free on…)
– Mul on aega… (I have time at…)

For example:
– Kohtume kell kuus. (Let’s meet at six o’clock.)
– Kas sa oled vaba reedel? (Are you free on Friday?)
– Mul on aega homme pärastlõunal. (I have time tomorrow afternoon.)

Conclusion

Mastering quantitative vocabulary is a crucial step in becoming proficient in the Estonian language. From numbers and counting to expressing quantities in everyday situations, understanding these terms will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively. Remember to practice using these words and phrases in context to reinforce your learning. With dedication and practice, you’ll soon find yourself confidently discussing quantities in Estonian. Happy learning!