Language/Standard-estonian/Vocabulary/Numbers-1-100

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Standard Estonian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Numbers 1-100

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on counting in Estonian! In this lesson, we will learn how to count from 1 to 100 in Standard Estonian. Numbers are an essential part of any language, and by mastering the numbers, you will be able to navigate various everyday situations, such as shopping, telling the time, and expressing age.

In this comprehensive lesson, we will cover the numbers from 1 to 100 in detail. We will provide you with clear explanations, numerous examples, and engaging exercises to help you grasp the concept of counting in Estonian. Additionally, we will explore any regional variations in the usage or understanding of the numbers and share interesting cultural facts related to counting in Estonian.

So let's dive into the fascinating world of numbers in Standard Estonian!

Number Basics

Before we start counting from 1 to 100, let's familiarize ourselves with the basic numbers in Estonian. Learning the numbers from 1 to 10 is crucial as they form the foundation for constructing larger numbers.

Here are the numbers from 1 to 10 in Standard Estonian:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
üks	[yks]	one
kaks	[kaks]	two
kolm	[kolm]	three
neli	[neli]	four
viis	[viis]	five
kuus	[kuus]	six
seitse	[seitse]	seven
kaheksa	[kah-HEK-sa]	eight
üheksa	[y-HEK-sa]	nine
kümme	[KUH-meh]	ten

Take some time to practice pronouncing these numbers correctly. Pay attention to the pronunciation guide provided to ensure accurate pronunciation. Now that we have a solid foundation, let's move on to counting from 11 to 100.

Counting from 11 to 20

To form numbers from 11 to 19, we combine the numbers 1 to 9 with the word "teist". Let's take a look at the numbers from 11 to 20:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
üksteist	[YK-stayst]	eleven
kaheteist	[KAH-heh-tayst]	twelve
kolmeteist	[KOL-meh-tayst]	thirteen
neljateist	[NEL-yah-tayst]	fourteen
viisteist	[VEEST-tayst]	fifteen
kuusteist	[KOOS-tayst]	sixteen
seitseteist	[SEYT-seh-tayst]	seventeen
kaheksateist	[KAH-HEK-sah-tayst]	eighteen
üheksateist	[Y-HEK-sah-tayst]	nineteen
kaksteist	[KAKS-tayst]	twenty

Notice that the numbers from 11 to 19 end with the suffix "-teist". This pattern will help you remember these numbers easily. Practice pronouncing each number and try to memorize them as they will be the building blocks for larger numbers.

Counting by Tens

Now that we know the numbers from 1 to 20, it's time to learn how to count by tens in Estonian. Similar to English, the numbers from 20 to 100 follow a pattern where the tens digit is combined with the word for "ten" (kümme).

Here are the numbers from 30 to 100 in tens:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
kolmkümmend	[KOLM-kym-mehnt]	thirty
nelikümmend	[NEH-lee-kym-mehnt]	forty
viiskümmend	[VEES-kym-mehnt]	fifty
kuuskümmend	[KOOS-kym-mehnt]	sixty
seitsekümmend	[SEYT-seh-kym-mehnt]	seventy
kaheksakümmend	[KAH-HEK-sah-kym-mehnt]	eighty
üheksakümmend	[Y-HEK-sah-kym-mehnt]	ninety
sada	[SAH-dah]	one hundred

Take note of the pronunciation guide and practice saying each number aloud. Make sure to pay attention to the unique pronunciation of "sada" for one hundred.

Counting from 21 to 99

To form numbers from 21 to 99 in Estonian, we combine the tens digit with the ones digit. However, unlike in English where we use hyphens, Estonian employs a different structure. Let's go through some examples to understand this better:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
kakskümmend üks	[KAKS-kym-mehnt yks]	twenty-one
kolmkümmend seitse	[KOLM-kym-mehnt SEYT-seh]	thirty-seven
nelikümmend kuus	[NEH-lee-kym-mehnt koos]	forty-six
viiskümmend üheksa	[VEES-kym-mehnt Y-HEK-sah]	fifty-nine
kuuskümmend kolm	[KOOS-kym-mehnt KOLM]	sixty-three
seitsekümmend neli	[SEYT-seh-kym-mehnt NEH-lee]	seventy-four
kaheksakümmend viis	[KAH-HEK-sah-kym-mehnt vees]	eighty-five
üheksakümmend üheksa	[Y-HEK-sah-kym-mehnt Y-HEK-sah]	ninety-nine

As you can see, we simply combine the tens digit with the ones digit, without any hyphens. Remember to pronounce each number accurately, paying attention to the correct stress and intonation.

Cultural Insights

Counting in Estonian is an excellent way to explore the cultural heritage of Estonia. Estonian is part of the Finno-Ugric language family and shares similarities with Finnish and Hungarian. Estonian numbers are unique and have evolved over time, influenced by various historical factors.

One interesting aspect of counting in Estonian is the use of the word "sada" for one hundred. It is worth noting that the word "sada" is also used in the Finnish language for one hundred. This similarity reflects the historical connection between the two languages and their shared linguistic roots.

In addition to linguistic connections, Estonian culture places great importance on numerology and superstitions related to numbers. For example, the number seven (seitse) is considered lucky in Estonian folklore, while the number thirteen (kolmteist) is often associated with bad luck.

Understanding these cultural nuances adds depth to your language learning journey and allows you to connect with Estonian speakers on a deeper level.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have covered the numbers from 1 to 100 in Estonian, it's time to put your knowledge to the test. Here are some practice exercises to help you reinforce what you have learned:

Exercise 1: Write the following numbers in Estonian:

1. Forty-two 2. Seventy-nine 3. Sixty-five 4. Twenty-eight 5. Ninety-three

Exercise 2: Translate the following numbers from Estonian to English:

1. Kaheksateist 2. Viiskümmend üks 3. Sada kolmkümmend seitse 4. Üheksakümmend üheksa 5. Nelikümmend kuus

Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks with the correct numbers in Estonian:

1. ____________ ja ____________ on seitsekümmend. 2. ____________ ja ____________ on kolmkümmend üks. 3. ____________ ja ____________ on üheksa. 4. ____________ ja ____________ on kakskümmend. 5. ____________ ja ____________ on nelikümmend üks.

Exercise Solutions

Here are the solutions to the practice exercises:

Exercise 1:

1. Nelikümmend kaks 2. Seitsekümmend üheksa 3. Kuuskümmend viis 4. Kakskümmend kaheksa 5. Üheksakümmend kolm

Exercise 2:

1. Eighteen 2. Fifty-one 3. One hundred thirty-seven 4. Ninety-nine 5. Forty-six

Exercise 3:

1. Kuus ja kolm on seitsekümmend. 2. Kaks ja üheksa on kolmkümmend üks. 3. Neli ja viis on üheksa. 4. Üks ja üheksa on kakskümmend. 5. Nelikümmend ja üks on nelikümmend üks.

Congratulations on completing the practice exercises! Keep practicing to reinforce your understanding of counting in Estonian.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have explored the numbers from 1 to 100 in Standard Estonian. We began by learning the numbers from 1 to 10, which served as the foundation for constructing larger numbers. We then delved into counting from 11 to 100, understanding the patterns and unique aspects of Estonian numbers.

By mastering the numbers in Estonian, you will be able to confidently navigate various everyday situations, such as shopping, telling the time, and expressing age. Remember to practice regularly and apply your knowledge in real-life scenarios to solidify your understanding.

We hope you enjoyed this lesson and found it helpful on your journey to learning Standard Estonian. Keep up the great work, and soon you will be counting in Estonian like a native speaker!

Table of Contents - Standard Estonian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Estonian

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Cases
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Free Time

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Declension
• Adverbs

  ---

Food and Dining

• Food and Drinks
• Eating Out

  ---

Estonian Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

At Home and Work

• Home and Furniture
• Work and Professions

  ---

Estonian History

• Historical Overview
• Estonian Language History

  ---

Negation and Questions

• Negation
• Question Words and Formation

Other Lessons

• Education
• Count to 10
• Introducing Yourself
• Family
• Food and Drinks
• Feelings and Emotions
• Food
• Days of the Week
• Greetings and introductions
• Family and friends

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