Language/Standard-estonian/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-counting
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we will explore the Estonian numbers and counting system. Numbers are an essential part of everyday life, and learning them is crucial for basic communication and understanding in any language. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently count and use numbers in Estonian.
The Estonian language has a unique counting system that differs from many other languages. It is a cardinal system, meaning that numbers are used to represent quantity or amount. Estonian numbers are relatively easy to learn, and once you understand the basics, you will be able to count to high numbers and use them in various situations.
This lesson is part of the "Complete 0 to A1 Standard Estonian Course," and it is specifically designed for complete beginners. We will start by introducing the basic numbers and gradually progress to more complex numbers and counting patterns.
Basic Numbers[edit | edit source]
We will begin by learning the basic numbers from one to ten in Estonian. Take your time to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation and spelling of each number. Practice saying them out loud to improve your pronunciation skills.
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| üks | yks | one |
| kaks | kahks | two |
| kolm | kolm | three |
| neli | neli | four |
| viis | vees | five |
| kuus | kuus | six |
| seitse | seitse | seven |
| kaheksa | kaheksa | eight |
| üheksa | yheksa | nine |
| kümme | koom-meh | ten |
Once you have mastered the basic numbers, it is essential to understand how to form and pronounce larger numbers. In Estonian, larger numbers are constructed by combining the basic numbers.
Forming Larger Numbers[edit | edit source]
To form larger numbers in Estonian, you need to learn the number roots from eleven to nineteen and the multiples of ten. Let's take a look at the number roots first:
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| üksteist | yk-stayst | eleven |
| kaksteist | kahk-stayst | twelve |
| kolmteist | kolm-tayst | thirteen |
| neliteist | nee-li-tayst | fourteen |
| viisteist | vees-tayst | fifteen |
| kuusteist | kuus-tayst | sixteen |
| seitseteist | sai-tseh-tayst | seventeen |
| kaheksateist | ka-hek-sah-tayst | eighteen |
| üheksateist | y-hek-sah-tayst | nineteen |
Now, let's move on to the multiples of ten:
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| kakskümmend | kahk-koom-mehnd | twenty |
| kolmkümmend | kolm-koom-mehnd | thirty |
| nelikümmend | nee-li-koom-mehnd | forty |
| viiskümmend | vees-koom-mehnd | fifty |
| kuuskümmend | kuus-koom-mehnd | sixty |
| seitsekümmend | sai-tseh-koom-mehnd | seventy |
| kaheksakümmend | ka-hek-sah-koom-mehnd | eighty |
| üheksakümmend | y-hek-sah-koom-mehnd | ninety |
To form larger numbers, you simply combine the number roots and the multiples of ten. For example, to say "twenty-one" in Estonian, you would combine the word for twenty ("kakskümmend") with the number root for one ("üksteist"). The resulting word is "kakskümmend üks."
Let's practice forming larger numbers:
- 37 - kolmkümmend seitse (kolm-koom-mehnd sai-tseh)
- 66 - kuuskümmend kuus (kuus-koom-mehnd kuus)
- 92 - üheksakümmend kaks (y-hek-sah-koom-mehnd kahks)
Remember to take your time and practice these numbers regularly to become more comfortable with them.
Counting Patterns[edit | edit source]
In Estonian, there are specific counting patterns that you need to be aware of when using numbers in different contexts. Let's explore some of the common counting patterns:
Singular Nouns[edit | edit source]
When counting singular nouns in Estonian, you need to use the basic form of the noun. Here are some examples:
- üks raamat (one book)
- kaks laud (two tables)
- kolm auto (three cars)
- neli maja (four houses)
Notice that the noun does not change form when counting singular items.
Plural Nouns[edit | edit source]
When counting plural nouns in Estonian, you need to use the genitive form of the noun. The genitive form indicates that there is more than one of the noun. Here are some examples:
- viis raamatut (five books)
- kuus lauda (six tables)
- seitse autot (seven cars)
- kaheksa maja (eight houses)
Notice that the noun changes form in the genitive case when counting plural items.
Ordinal Numbers[edit | edit source]
Estonian also has ordinal numbers, which are used to indicate the position or order of something. Ordinal numbers are formed by adding the suffix "-s" to the cardinal number. For example:
- esimene (first)
- teine (second)
- kolmas (third)
- neljas (fourth)
Fractions[edit | edit source]
To express fractions in Estonian, you use the cardinal number followed by the word "osa" (part) and the ordinal number. Here are some examples:
- pool (half)
- kolmveerand (three-quarters)
- kolmandik (one-third)
Practice using these counting patterns to become more comfortable with numbers in Estonian.
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
Understanding the cultural context of counting in Estonian can provide valuable insights into the language and its speakers. Estonians have a rich cultural heritage, and numbers play a significant role in their traditions and customs.
One interesting cultural fact is that Estonians have a tradition of counting their birthdays differently. Instead of counting the number of years they have lived, Estonians count the number of birthdays they have celebrated. For example, if an Estonian person has celebrated ten birthdays, they would say they are "ten years old." This tradition reflects the importance of celebrating life and the passing of time in Estonian culture.
Estonia is also known for its love of nature and outdoor activities. When counting objects related to nature, such as trees, flowers, or animals, Estonians often use a specific counting pattern called "kollektiiv." This pattern involves using the genitive plural form of the noun and adding the number before it. For example, "kolm puud" means "three trees." This counting pattern emphasizes the connection between humans and nature in Estonian culture.
Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Complete the following exercises to reinforce your understanding of Estonian numbers and counting.
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct numbers in Estonian:
- Ma näen ________ kassi. (I see two cats.)
- Seal on ________ õpikut. (There are five textbooks.)
- Täna on minu ________ sünnipäev. (Today is my eighth birthday.)
2. Translate the following numbers from English to Estonian:
- Fourteen
- Twenty-three
- Fifty-six
3. Write the following numbers in digits:
- Kolmkümmend kuus
- Üheksateist
Solutions[edit | edit source]
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct numbers in Estonian:
- Ma näen kahte kassi.
- Seal on viis õpikut.
- Täna on minu kaheksas sünnipäev.
2. Translate the following numbers from English to Estonian:
- Nelikümmend
- Kakskümmend kolm
- Viiskümmend kuus
3. Write the following numbers in digits:
- 36
- 19
Congratulations on completing the exercises! You are making excellent progress in learning the Estonian numbers and counting system.
Summary[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we have explored the Estonian numbers and counting system. We started with the basic numbers and gradually progressed to larger numbers and counting patterns. Remember to practice regularly to improve your pronunciation and become more comfortable with numbers in Estonian.
We also discussed some cultural insights related to counting in Estonian, such as the tradition of counting birthdays and the use of specific counting patterns in nature-related contexts.
Keep up the good work, and continue practicing your Estonian skills in everyday situations. In the next lesson, we will delve into the vocabulary related to days, months, and seasons in Estonian.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Time
- Greetings and introductions
- Count to 10
- How to say Good Bye?
- Animal
- Airport
- Animals
- Family and friends
- Weather