Language/Standard-estonian/Vocabulary/Fruits
Hi Standard Estonian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be learning about the different fruits in Standard Estonian. Learning this vocabulary will come handy during a grocery shopping trip, at a farmer's market, or simply in a conversation about healthy eating habits. By the end of the lesson, you will not only know the Estonian names for the fruits but also some cultural information and interesting facts about them. Let's get started!
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Sports & Clothes.
Basic Fruits[edit | edit source]
Let's start with the most common fruits:
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| õun | IPA: ['ɤun] | apple |
| banaan | IPA: [bɑnɑːn] | banana |
| virsik | IPA: ['vir sik] | peach |
| pirn | IPA: ['pirn] | pear |
| maasikas | IPA: ['maa sikɑs] | strawberry |
| arbuus | IPA: [ˈɑrbuːs] | watermelon |
Cultural Information[edit | edit source]
The apple is one of the most commonly grown fruits in Estonia, with over 1000 varieties grown in the country. The most popular among them is the yellow-skinned "Kuldrenett" (Golden Renette) which is known for its juicy and sweet taste.
Bananas are not grown in Estonia due to its colder climate, but they are widely available all year round in supermarkets.
Estonians love to take advantage of the short summer months to pick fresh-picked strawberries. The country even has a Strawberry Festival during the peak of the strawberry season.
The watermelon is an important part of Estonian summer culture, with many people enjoying sliced watermelon as a refreshing snack during hot days.
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Kas sa armastad õunu? (Do you like apples?)
- Person 2: Jah, ma armastan neid eriti kuldrenette. (Yes, I love them, especially Golden Renettes.)
Exotic Fruits[edit | edit source]
Now that we have covered the basics, let's move on to some exotic fruits:
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ananass | IPA: [ɑnɑnɑs:] | pineapple |
| mangoo | IPA: ['mɑng:o] | mango |
| kiivi | IPA: [ˈkiːʋi] | kiwi |
| granaatõun | IPA: [ɡrɑnɑtˈɤun] | pomegranate |
Interesting Facts[edit | edit source]
Pineapples are not grown in Estonia as it requires tropical climates to grow, but it is widely imported and consumed in the country.
Mangoes are a relatively new addition to the Estonian fruit market, and it quickly gained popularity due to its unique flavor and nutritional benefits.
Kiwi, despite its exotic name and origins, was successfully introduced in Estonia in the mid-20th century as it can withstand the colder climate.
The pomegranate is not commonly found in Estonian markets and is considered an exotic fruit mostly used in salads and desserts.
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Kas oled kunagi proovinud pomegranatit? (Have you ever tried pomegranate?)
- Person 2: Ei, ma pole kunagi proovinud, aga see näeb huvitav välja. (No, I have never tried it, but it looks interesting.)
Berries[edit | edit source]
Berries are an essential part of Estonian cuisine and culture, and they are often picked in the wild or grown in people's gardens.
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mustikas | IPA: ['mustikɑs] | blueberry |
| vaarikas | IPA: ['vɑrikɑs] | raspberry |
| jõhvikas | IPA: ['jɤhvikɑs] | cranberry |
| sõstar | IPA: [ˈsɵstɑr] | currant |
| murakas | IPA: ['mʊrɑkɑs] | blackberry |
Cultural Information[edit | edit source]
Blueberries are known as the "forest's black gold" in Estonia, and they grow in abundance in the country's numerous forests.
Raspberries are grown in almost every garden in Estonia, and it is common for families to make homemade raspberry jam during the summer months.
Cranberries are native to Estonia and grow wild in bogs and marshlands. The berry is often used in traditional Estonian cuisine, such as in cranberry sauce with meat dishes.
Currants come in two colors, black and red, and are often used in traditional Estonian desserts such as jelly, tarts, and cakes.
Blackberries can be found growing in the wild and are often used to make juice, jams or simply eaten as a snack.
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Kas sa oled kunagi murakaid korjanud? (Have you ever picked blackberries?)
- Person 2: Jah, ma korjasin neid eelmisel nädalavahetusel metsas. (Yes, I picked them last weekend in the forest.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
That concludes our Standard Estonian Vocabulary - Fruits lesson. We hope that you have learned some new words to add to your vocabulary and enjoyed some cultural and interesting facts about them. Don't forget to check out Find native speakers and ask them any questions and to visit the Polyglot Club website to improve your Estonian skills further. You can also check out our Vocabulary page to learn more words. Keep learning!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]